The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-09-25
SOUTH RYEGATE FAIR
seventh Annual Festival Of the
Farmers Of That Locality!
A Grand Success!
A Fine Display Of Horses, Cattle,
Sheep and Swine!
Special Show OF
Jersey Cows!
Balloon AsCensiOns, Great Crowds,
and Splendid Music!

The seven b annual fair of the Rye
gate and Wells River Dairymen's Asso-
citation, held last week Wednesday and
Thursday at South Ryegate, was very
much of a success in every particular,
Notwithstanding the cold and threaten
ing weather which prevailed on the
first day. 1t is only simple justice to
state that no little measure of the credit
for successful carrying out of the pro-
gramme was due to 7. A. Meader, the
ubiquitous and untiring secretary, who
has labored early and late for the sue
cess of this far-a fact which is appre-
ciated both by the directors and by the
general public. In the face of some
opposition, because of the expense, Mr..
Meader again engaged the services of
the Montpelier Military Band for the
two days, and the wisdom of this course
was clearly demonstrated, as the superb
playing of this musical organization
proved a drawing card throughout the
fair.
The display of horses, cattle, sheep
and swine was good, and the special
show of dairy cows has not been ex-
celled upon any Playground in Vermont
this season. Professor Bonnet OF st.
Johnsbury made successful balloon
ascension, with parachute drop, each
day although the second day came
near proving fatal one for him. One
of.the ropes attached to the parachute,
from the balloon, did not give way
when he let himself loose, and an acct
dent seemed imminent. Two thousand
people held their breath while the dar-
ing eronaut, after vainly endeavoring
to free himself from the balloon, with
rare presence of mind took knife
from his pocket and cut the rope. The
cheers of the crowd at this cool act
must have reached him at an altitude
of 1900 feet.
The Montpelier & Wells River rail-
road gave an excellent train service
to those desiring to attend the fair.
Special trains at convenient hours
were run from Barre and Montpelier
and from Wells River, and people were
taken to their homes on special trains
with little delay.
HORSES.
Some choice representatives OF lead
ing Vermont horses were entered in
this department, and the horse-sheds
proved an attractive place throughout
the fair. George M. Davis, T. M.
Smith and l.. Myers showed gentle
mems drivers, which took first pre-
MUM. G.. W. Sheridan, second pre-
MUM; D. Stewart, Levi Hyatt and o.
A. Boardway, third premium. G.. M.
Darling showed fine three-year-old
stallion, and other handsome stations
seen were owned by M. j. Smith, Ar
thur Steel and w. A. Renfrew. In
roadsters, George A. Clark took first
premium; T. A. Smith, second. G.
E. Morse of Danville exhibited hand
some pair of matched bays that were
surrounded by admiring crowds. q.
E. Shepard and 81. E. Lane also showed
fine matched pairs of gentlemen's dri-
vers. The races on Thursday after
noon included the four-year-old and
the free-for. all. They were as good as
the condition of the track would per-
NIT. Some additional information in
regard to these races may be found in
the South Ryegate items.
Wednesday was taken up by an ex-
hibition of stations and their get,
mares and their foals, choice drivers,
roadsters and matched pairs. Hon.
Josiah Grout of Derby delivered an ad-
dress in the afternoon on Farming"
which was replete with good sense and
sound advice to those who are engaged
in that occupation.
Thursday was devoted TO an exhibit
ton of dairy stock, draft oxen and
draft horses, trials of draft horses and
draft oxen, and the races. At least
1000 people were on the grounds and
the best of order was maintained. The
entire absence of any appearance of the
sale or use of Intoxicating liquor, either
on or off the grounds, was very noticea-
BILE, and was a credit to the manage
ment.
POULTRY.
Although not large, the exhibition of
poultry was creditable. David Fisk
showed coops of geese and Plymouth
Rocks, Bronze turkeys, and ducks.
G. B. Fisk showed coops of geese;
Fl. T. Park, White Leghorns; W. N.
Gill6llen, White Plymouths; W. T.
Smith, Honduras fowls.
CATTLE.
The exhibit of Charles c. Doe, from
Mount Hag Stock Farm, South New
bury, of pure bred registered Guernsey
cattle, would have done credit to any
state or county fair. G. G. Nelson had
nine grade Jerseys and several grade
Guernseys on exhibition, and Andrew
Little three Jokes of oxen. A Jersey bull
was shown by John Thomas; steer and
calves by Lance Shepard; bull calves by
Q. K. Gibson; grade Jersey heifers by
N. A. Park: herd grade Jerseys, H. j,
Park; a trained bull by Lance Shepard;
fine grade Jerseys, M. j. Brook; grade
Durhams by W. j. Smith; grade Jer.
seys and a Guernsey heifer by o. P.
Wheeler; Jersey grade bull by John
Hood.