The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-08-20
THE FAIR.
The FOrty-second Annual Meet of the
Wellington Union Agricultural
Society-A Success.

Wednesday, the opening day Of the
fair, was devoted entirely to getting in
readiness for the two real days Of the
fair to follow. Admission was free to
all, and but few people were on the
grounds.
Thursday morning dawned rather
cloudy. The atmosphere smelt Of rain,
and fears were expressed that storm
would spoil the pleasure Of the day; but
notwithstanding the threatening indica-
tiOns Of the weather, crowds of people
began coming in early and by 900
o'clock the fair grounds were thrOnged
with happy people out for a good time.
About the first things to attract our at
tentiOn upon entering the grounds, were
the wheels of fortune, or "paddle
Wheels" of which there were several.
You place ten cents on number of
your own selection, the wheel is turned,
and il the little rubber ball within the
wheel stops upon your number, you win
fifty cents. The trouble with this is, as
in many other cases, the little word IF"
assumes almost gigantic proportions and
generally stands in the way of your sue
cess.
After watching this uncertain game Of
chance for while, we rambled on fur
ther to see what we could find in the way
Of amusement. Close by the wheels of
fortune, stood large Car on wheels, and
a large sign on the outside indicated
that within was a managerie Of wonder
full wild animals from all parts of the
world. The fee was only ten cents, so
we entered. Inside we saw long box
with wire gauze cover, containing
about fifty or more rattlesnakes. In one
corner was a cage containing Canadian
badger, and close by in another cage was
a pretty fair specimen of Georgia pos
sum. Along either side of the car were
rows Of wax heads said to be likenesses
of nearly all the bad people in the world.
They were all there except Grover.
Soon firing of this exhibition we left
the car and crossed over to small tent
with big sign in front announcing that
within was genuine X-ray machine.
The man offered to show us the bones in
our arms for ten cents, but not being
curious in this respect, we politely de-
clined his offer and strOlled on.
A little way beyond the X-ray tent was
one of those whirligig arrangements that
get all the nickels from the children and
drive the older people nearly crazy with
the pandemOnium Of sounds issuing
from the ever-present hand organ.
Further on was another tent. In this
tent was said to be a western steer with
five legs. We had no curiosity to see
this mOnstrOsity, 80 walked over to the
Ferris wheel. The wheel was small
one operated by hand, but it was very
literally patronized nevertheless. One
lady, when she reached the top, re-
marked that, it Seemed pretty highp'
Her friend, standing on the ground, OBJ
served that she had better take a good
look around, as it was as high as she
would ever get.
Not far from the Ferris Wheel was an
other car on wheels. The man on the
steps told the crowd that inside was the
only genuine two-headed calf ever born
in Ohio. The thought occurred to us
that there are Others" but we didn't
say it aloud. This attraction did not
seem so well patronized as some Of the
rest.
Close by Floral Hall was small circu-
lar canvas and the attraction within one
Of those "cheap John" variety shows.
A man and woman appeared on the
outside clad in dirty tights, aud tried to
induce the people to enter and witness
their wonderful performance, all for ten
cents. This feature Of the fair was not q
desirable one, and we were glad tC
note that but few entered.
There were monographs, pounding
machines, and other attractions galore
besides the soft drinks and candy stands
and the proprietor of each was shouting
at the top of his voice the merits Of hi
own particular wares, until the din be
came almost deafening.-. Becoming
weary Of all this, we entered Flora
Hall.
Within the hall was a beautiful dis
play Of paintings, needle work and var
ious other things, many Of these article
were of excellent merit and would re
feet much credit upon the makers. N,
names were attached and of course VI
could not learn who made the differen
things. In the center of the buildingEoI
a raised platform was lovely buria
casket reposing on solid, carved-bras
pedestals. The casket was part of h
W. Benefits, the furniture dealer, ex
hibit. This handsome casket attracted
great deal Of attention and comment
, and as so many werO there and saw it, !
is needless to describe it here. Mr.. Ben
! nett had further display in Agricul
} tural Hall, consisting Of his fine ne,