The Press., 1895-10-17
STAFFORD'S FAIR.


 year has been added to the long list, and the reputation for excellence of exhibits and general attractiveness has been we'll sustained. For many years the attend ance has been large at this annual expo sition.
 The products of the farmers labor and brains, the work of more delft fingers to be found in the fancy goods hall, the tri- umphs of the machinists' art, the selected opponents of the breeders skill in cattle and horses, the trials of speed for bicycles and horses, the physical possibilities se- cured by careful training and perfect nerve control, as illustrated by the platform acts, are all attractive clements, which combined make an exhibition we'll worthy the attention of the crowds that assemble. All these things are of interest, but the most important feature, after all, is the social and fraternal spirit that is the soul of this vast yearly congregation of people. The handshake and laugh as friend meets friend, the reunion of fami- lies, perhaps for the only time during the year, the assiduous attentions of the best young man to his fair friend, all these, with the many other social features, lend a glow to these gatherings that lives in the memory.
 Is 1t, then, to be wondered at that near ly every one within a radius of 30 miles is anxious to take in at least one day of the Stafford fair? There are people who attend who have to cut the corners pretty closely to save the price, but they get there. Rich and poor, white and black, the righteous and the wicked, all come together once year on an equal footing and enjoy brief breathing spell from the cares and perplexities of every day life.
 Tuesday, the day singled out for the first day, was rainy. Messrs. Dennis, Beckwith, Gary and Heald all looked anxiously for the sun, but it did not ap- pear. At o'clock the outlook was so unprOmising that a pOstponement was made, and the program for each day was set for the next day following. Late in the afternoon the weather cleared, and just before dusk beautiful rainbow ap- peared, which proved true harbinger of pleasant weather.
 In the meantime fakirs, refreshment tents and their owners, poultry, cattle and hall exhibits had been constantly arriving, so that Tuesday evening the grounds and l ho foir Midway had taken form, and there was a row of tents and booths extending nearly across the grounds. Hurley Bros. candy kitchen and Thompson's refreshment tent were at the head of the street. further along were to be found Rowan Bros. oi Ware, the Turkish theatre, the Gaiety theatre, the living picture tent, "It," the big oxen, the dime museum, the merry. go-round, and several base ball throwing establishments, many refreshment booths etc.
 Wednesday morning dawned clear and cool. Early in the morning people com menced to arrive. They kept coming un- til it was evident that larger first day crowd than usual was in attendance. Dur ing the early part of the day the people wandered about the grounds and visited halls. The uproar on the Midway was deafening, and all were doing business. the grounds has been criticised. The Turkish and gaiety theatres and the liv- ing picture tent gave promise of being a little off, but when visited were found to to the respectable class, and too clean tC be appreciated by others. In consequence while the eating tents and other privi leges did good business, the museums and theatres all complain that they lost money, with the possible exception of the Gaiety.
 By 1 o'clock, Wednesday, the grand stands were we'll filled with spectators tc witness the bicycle races and platform entertainment. The platform specially work, as we'll as the Bristol and Mahar combinations, are worthy of commenda tion. Bristol, as pedagogue, with his bright school, pleased the audience very much at each performance. Mahan haC his dogs as well trained as the horses, anC the tricks they performed showed a vast amount of intelligence and reflected much credit on their trainer. The DeVere fam fly proved a pleasing feature. The young women did the most arduous acrobatiC and gymnastic feats in such graceful and easy manner that the spectators ap plauded them generously. The BannackE displayed their ability to play the violir in any position and in unison. It seemed little awkward to the audience to set one of them standing on his head on tho others head, balanced in the air, assisting in duet, but the Bannacks did not minC it.
 The bicycle races, under the manage ment of Dr. J. E. Middleton, passed of smoothly. The Hollow band furnished good musical inspiration, and the races were paced by Elmer and Gardner, the Rambler pacing team. Newton had al easy thing, with the exception of the mile handicap. He won first prize in eacl event that he entered. Arthur Meyers distinguished himself by taking first il the local handicap and second in the hal mile handicap open. The summaries fl the bicycle events were as follows:
 One mile open-C. R. Newten, 1st w. E. Tenzler, Broad Brook, 2d; F. T Parsons, Springfield, Sd. Time, 2.15. \ Half mile local handicap-A. Meyers (35 yds.) 1st; K. c. Adams, (scratch 2d; R. Furness, (2O yds.) 3d. Time, 1.15 {. Half mile handicap, open-F. T. Par 4 sons, Springfield, GAO yds.) 1st; A. Mey CTS, (75 yds.) 2d; K. c. Adams, (45 yds. = Sd. . Time, 1.O6k.
 Half mile scratch, open-C. R. Newton 3 list; Bert Livermore, Worcester, 2d; c J D, Holden, Palmer, 3d. Time, 1.O5 2-5. One mile handicap, open-C.. R. New II \ as TN' Tn