Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-10-05

running race was arranged, and was won
by DIR. Cunningham's runner, with Vassar
second
The bicycle races took place on the
afternoon OF the second day, and were
very interesting. The half mile race was
made In LAO and resulted In A. Is. Potter
coming under the wire first, q. +. McRae
second, and III. NJ Reeves third. In the
mile race the wheelsmen kept along
| leasurly in a bunch for over half mile
and then they spurted lively. G. i. Nc
Rae won first, A. B. Potter second, and
A. n. Estes third. The time was 1868.
The two mile race was lively one, but
was easily won by Charles Nacker, with
| w. III. Dennison second, and G. +. Nc
Rae third. In that race one man rode a
SO inch geared bicycle, one had 62 inch
geared, and the other rode "a inch geared.
A bicycle geared TO 62 inches makes 10
feet 8 inches for one revolution OF the
pedal, and "a inch makes only IA feet
inches. The consolation quarter mile
bicycle race was won by VIII Levyn In
81 seconds, and tho second and third
places were won by A. A. Harrington and
james Hanna respectively.
The balloon ascension and parachute
descent proved good attraction, as 1t
was the first balloon ascension In this
city. Two ascents were made, one on the
evening OF the first day, and the other
on the evening OF tho third day. The
first was a very successful one. There
being no wind, the parachute dropped In
side the grounds and gave the spectators
good exhibition, both OF the ascent and
the drop. A brisk wind was blowing
when the balloon was let loose on the
evening Of tho third day, and by the time
the aeronaut was about 1900 feet above
the ground and began his perilous drop,
he was outside the fair grounds and land
ed near Ninth street safe and sound. The
balloon has weight attached to the top.
It's use is to turn 1t upside down when the
aeronaut cuts himself loose and allow
the hot air to escape, when the empty
balloon falls to the earth. BY some ac-
cident tho weight did not do duty, and
the balloon was carried by the wind out
into the lake, and up TO date has not been
recovered, making loss to the Hepner
Bros. Of $3.50. They received $75 for
each ascent; consequently their visit here
has resulted In loss to them. The opera
ton of initiating the balloon with hot air
was interesting, and was witnessed by
many hundreds OF people.
The weather on all three days was de-
lightful, and could not have been better
If specially ordered. On the second day
four thousand people on the grounds.
The entire receipts were close to 81 500,
and the expenses will amount to about
5000.
The baby prizes were awarded as fol-
lows: Fattest baby, frankie Graves.
Prettiest baby under two years, Leo
Crissman. Prettiest baby under six
months, May Briggs.
In addition to the other sports there was
a base ball match and foot ball contest.
Both were interesting.
Refreshment stands were numerous.
Pressure Isle county was well represent
ed by displays Of fruits and vegetables.
Three squash weighed "a, 70, and SO
pounds respectively. The two latter
were grown by F. ID. Larke, of Rogers
City.
Altoona county was represented at the
fair by good exhibits.
Over 30 bicycle wheels were on the
grounds, and the bcyclists helped consid-
cradle to mako the fair an interesting
one.
1t was clearly evident to every one
present that a much larger hall for the
display of vegetables and fruits Is needed.
A larger grand stand has become a no.
cesslty. More sheds for horses and cat
tie will have to be erected.
The Alpena County Agricultural So
ciety found the right man for president
In w e. Rogers, and 1t Is to be hoped he
will again take the same responsible po-
sition for another year. A large amount
of work has to be done by the secretary,
and that position was exceedingly we'll
filled by John Monaghan.
The success of the last fair should
cause the farmers to make up their
minds that the next fair shall be still su-
perior, and in fact whopper