The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-14
TsYEc1AL TO THE PREss.]

fsPECIAL TO THE PREss.]
Topsham, October 13.-With weather
sayoring of Indian summer and with the
track in perfect condition, the third day
of the Topsham fair was ushered in, and
not less than ten thousand people made
their way to the grounds. Rarely, If ever
Before, have SO many vehicles been lined
up along the fences and the grand stand
was perfect sea of expeotant faces,
while every available vantage place WAS
taken possession of to watch the events
on the programme which was one of the
strongest in quality and quantity yet pre-
scented.
Midway was crowded during the entire
made happy the vendors of whips and
nicknacks Of every sort the keepers of side
shows, etc., and as for the restaurants
they must have reaped harvest for ev-
erything ordinarily offered at county fairs
was on sale from Coney Island frank
futters to Scarboro's celebrated CLAIMS.
How the crowd surged Not bolster
ously, but quietly, like tide that NOV
ing seems to sleep. Every one seemed
satisfied and the outside attractions were
veritable magnets. With supturned gaze
and bated break they watched the tight
life, and right here a word of praise
should be said for MIR. Germans New
England Amusement company. Each
day. they have given a show on the stage
erected near the judges stand, and it has
been Of such varied and exceptionally
strong kind as to merit the greatest COM
mendation. Aorobatic feats, movements
on the trapeze. tumbling, posturing,
etc. have bsen we'll received, not to for
get the trained dogs and horse which were
very notable features.
OF course, the track events were Of the
greatest interest today, but there were
others which should be noted and among
them is the pulling contest among horses.
For horses 2700 pounds ands over, and
with drag weighing 5649 pounds, the
first premium was awarded J. L. Foster,
Topsham, distance 10 feet 10 inches; ID.
d. OOIAASA3 0OW0OldA1Als oOSoAu, AOOU
6 inches. For horse 300 and under,
drag 1914 pounds, l.. T. Williams, Bow.
doinham, took first prize, distance 60
feet 8 inches; Charles e. Meserve, Tops
ham, was second, distance II feet.
THE TRACK.
If any one doubts what is the biggest
drawing card at county fairs he should
have been at Topsham today. There it
would have been demonstrated to him
beyond question that the people want to
see the fast steppers and plenty of them
at that. AS early as ten O'Clock the grand
stand began to fill and when the bell
called the horses for the first heat Of the
day, every seat was taken and yet these
people were but mere fraction of the
thousands of spectators present, bent on
INDUCING their sporty proclivities.
Well, they are off in the first heat of the
2. 80 class, and pretty bunch of horses
it is. Included In the number is that
gamey Calais mare Nellie Eaton, who
made mark yesterday of 2. 20 IA and the
colt Dan Westland, little green as yet
but promising a prosperous future for
her Yarmouth owner. There was not
much tedious scoring in this race and
Nellie set the pace by taking the pole
at the start and kept it past the first half.
Belle Rich showed we'll for while.
but as she broke, Dan Westland passed
her and went almost to the fore, and
down the home stretch gave Nellie d hot
"a % to the finish. He was unable to head
the mare, however, but finished good
second.
1t did not require the eye of the expert
horseman to predict that this race was
between Nellie and Dan, although in the
second heat Belle Rich made it interest
ing for both of them. Nellie was not
headed in the heat but Dan broke and
taking advantage of this, Belle made a
fine burst of speed and crossed the wire
second.
In the third heat, Nellie broke just after
crossing the wire and Dan took the pole.
1t looked for a while as if Nellie was not
Sin it, this heat, as she dropped to the
rear while Belle crowded the leader. 1t
was otherwise, however, sIor WneH siie gov
her feet, she settled down to terrific
gait, passed the field in succession with
seemingly the greatest ease and took the
heat and race.
In the 2. 40 class, Banks held the field
sale in every heat except the second. In
this heat he broke and before getting
down to work again, was well in the
rear. In fact the gap to close was big
one, but gradually he began to creep up
until reaching the home stretch, by
wonderfully speedy squirt, he headed the
leading horse and won the heat amid
thunders of applause from the thousands
how witnessed his great finish.
SUMMARIES.
9. 80 Class-Trot or Pace-Purse $3.50.
Nellie Eaton, b m (Eaton) l 1 IL
Dan Westland, b g (Gerow) 2 8 q
Belle Rich, br m (Shaw) 3 2 4
King, b (Hastingsl 3
Harry Arnold, b g (Sabourin) 8
Time-2.23 IA, 2. "a 1-2, 2.25 "a.
2.4O Class-Trot or Pace-Purse $3.50.
Banker. blk Woodbury. l.