Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-31
The Maine State Fair Has
Auspicious Opening.
Annie 7. Makes New Record, 2.23l-4,
3-Year-0lds, HaIf-MiIe Track.
Attendance Abort the Average for Opening Day
The Race Summaries.

siS tpcH WITH CfONu5. Inc MAINE
State fair has not done so but at 1880
A. M, today. there were so many peo-
pie on the grounds that old stagers who
have been every year began to COM
ment on the promising appearance of
things. In former years people have
not come onto the grounds much the
first morning, but today, the inspection
of exhibits was begun byirregular lines
of people following one another about
the stalls on the grounds and the ex-
hibit spaces of the big hall.
The weather was romewhat doubtful
but during the forenoon the sunlight
struggled forth.
This is quite generally referred to as
opening day and being the first of the
five days to be devoted to the big fair
it is, but there is not that everlasting
hammering, trucking and general get
ting ready that has prevailed on the
first days in former yeaE. Apparently
most of it was done before the gates
were thrown open. AS matter of fact,
Sunday was a driving. hustling day.
Final preparation of many exhibitors,
crowded into Sunday. Sunday was q
day of grace for the tardy and over
worked.
A Journal correspondent stood near
the public window of Secretary Twitch-
ellis Office short time this morning, TO
judge the nature of the attendance by
the errands of the many individuals
who approached. OF course there We're
the usual number of members who
came to get their tickets for the week
and dozens, perhaps during the whole
morning, hundreds, who asked miscel-
laneous questions, but the number OF
calls for general programmes showed
that the genuine money paying specta-
tors We're on hand in very good num-
bers for Opening day."
PaStebOards for the restaurant keep
ers, truckmen, grocery and grain de-
livery men and the various other
tradesmen who have to be constantly
passing in and out of the grounds. We're
well along before the public arrived
and the crowd about headquarters in
cluded very few who were after help
ers' tickets
There has been little activity in the
SIONC toudy, do Wei y lCN SoItde,Nio etili
scarcely more than corporaPs squad
of campers have arrived.
Increased accommodations and facili-
ties Of various kinds and q gentle but
freshing breeze seems to be keeping
everyone good natured in spite of the
threatening clouds that hang in a very
uncertain way in the west. Even the
fellow who is out in one Of the aSricul-
tural machinery tents struggled with
a refractory thrashing machine which
refuses to work. The flipper of the
thing will not flip and the Hopper flops
twice when it shouldn't but once.
Readers who don't understand these
technical terms can refer them to their
mechanical friends.
Under the grand stand there is the
usual display of farming machinery
and the most noticeable new thing is
an Osborne corn harvester which was
put together. today, under the direction
of hustling agent.
But he'll not cut any corn.
He hasn't any to cut. The McCor
mick had planted and carefully taken
a nice little field OF corn inside the
course. That Little. patch of corn is
kept like "a flower garden and the Os-
borne agent eyes it with envy.
why, l can harvest that corn with
our grain reaper" said he, excitedy.
But the Mccormick man VIII show off
when the proper time comes and ths
excitement of an actual contest for
speed and points will Eave to be in
definitely postponed.
All boys and girls under 10 were ad
mitted free, today. Strange to say, tn
Juvenile attendance was not out of pro-
portion. The Grand Army men, the
Patrons are each to have day also
Even the k;ckers, if there are any, may
have their day, for there is an annual
meeting of the association to come AMI
life members can all have their say if
they are SO disposed.
The one thing about the general APP
pearance of the grounds that is at
tracing much attention is the absence
of tent shows and any any great num-
Der of fakirs. 1t is currently reported
here that the Eastern fair people sent
to Boston and offered men in bo-h
lines of business special inducements
to go to Bangor. This is simply fair
ground talk, and may be without foun- |
dation. 1t does not seem OF enough I'M
portance to investigate, especially with
the limited facilities at this end for so
doing.
The stock exhibit is not complete, to-
day. The wire tells of freight trains
loaded with live stock moving this way,
and the big entry books at the super
office showes the largest
list of animals ever exhibited in the
State of Maine. Fact! And not stated
on anyone's say so but on the strength
of careful observation. Cattle are be-
ing led in the main gate past the Win
dcws of the Journal headquarters as
these facts are recorded.
The Lewiston and Auburn members of
the society held a meeting, Saturday
evening, to discuss the coming election of
officers. Isaiah Pompilli of Auburn, a
well-known horseman and race starter,
and J. S. Sanborn. proprietor of a big
stock farm and workhorse stud in Po-
land. were mentioned as possible candi- |
dates for the office of president. The town |
contingent leans toward an administra-
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