Connecticut western news., 1898-10-06
GIT. HARRINGTON FAIR.

 and fair ever held on the spacious grounds of this prosperous society. The weather which was somewhat sour at the beginning of the week cleared up on the morning of the opening day and all the way through from start to finish was all that could be desired for out door gatherings. A larger mum Der of people were Tn attendance the first day than usual and the receipts for admis- sion to the grounds and grand stand amounted to $l, ,414 saying nothing about rents from peddlers, fakirs and shows of which altogether your report CT counted over 60.
 The exhibition of cattle in all the di- visions was in some respects superior to former exhibitions in recent years and the total number of animals in the diff ferent departments was 33O. William H. Hawley, the we'll known and and successful farmer of Sandisfeld contrib uted largely to the success of the cattle exhibit by showing twelve yoke of oxen in one long line; hitched to wagon which they drew through the streets and attracted the attention of people all along their line of march to the fair grounds. These cattle of various ages were all Herfords and in size from a draft team weighing 4500 pounds down to pretty pair of matched calves. The thoroughbred stock were of the usual standard of excellence the Jerseys taking the lead, with "A head. The chief exhibitors were John A. Griffith, E. l.. VanDeusen, W. s. Wilcox of Sheffield; Charles N. Gilbert, F. G. Tefft, F. H. Wright, F. E. Royce, Mrs J. M Mackie of Great Burlington; and Fenton Brook farm of Egremont.
 Next came the Short Horns of which there were 30 head from the highly cultivated farms of Fred Abbey, Austin Holson and Noble B. Turner.
 The Holsteins numbered 24 head, the exhibitors being Alonzo Bradley of Lee who several years ago made 8 journey to Holland and imported the | first Dutch cattle ever seen in this sec tion; Warren Crissey, N. B. Turner, and Oscar M. Hall.
 | As was the case year ago the only exhibitors of Ayrshires, otherwise Scotch cattle were Theron l.. Foot of Lee with 12 head and William I. Walk. CT with II head.
 As Merritt I. Wheeler resides less than quarter of mile from the fair grounds he exhibits the largest part of his herd of Guernseys and in fact makes a clean sweep in that division. There were also few Devons on the ground and though notl arge they are such do- cile animals they are admired by women and children.
 All the leading breeds of sheep were we'll represented, the Southdowns lead ing in numbers. followed by Hamp- shires, Shropshires and few little Dorsets.
 The poultry house around which the women and children as we'll as the breeders of choice fowls gather with admiration was filled to it's utmost limit and quite number had to show their birds in outside coops. As near as we could determine the best display was of | Plymouth Rocks, Brahmas and Leg | horns.
 The exhibit in the hall was excellent and about all the available space was occupied during the entire three days with display of choice vegetables, grains, fruits, flowers, household articles fancy work, amateur and expert photog- rsphy, paintings and drawings. The collection as whole if carefully stud jed was the best educational feature of the fair Among the special attractions around which the crowd fingered with apparent delight, was the great collect. ion of insects, reptiles and birds shown by Prof Schurr of Pittsfeld. Henry H. Rudge young taxidermist also ex- hibited choice vsriety of stuffed birds A large and spirited picture of Roman chariot race, from Ben Hur" was one which once seen will not soon be for gotten. It is warranted to be made en- tirely with pen by s. B. Bartrow a teacher in the Albany Basiness College. In the vegetable department leading | contributor was Charles w. Warner, a graduate of the high school who is fast becoming an expert in growing choice | vegetables. He took about 15 pre- miums, the first of which was on onions and the second on 12 varieties of pota- toes. The "Uncle Sam" potato was awarded the highest honor, with Enormous" second, and early "Michi- gan" third. For displays of 12 varieties of potatoes on plates F. Fl. Wright was first; with O. W. Warner second. Outside the hall the attraction the first day was the game of base ball be- tween the great rival teams of Housa- tonic and and Philmont, Lawyer H. l.. Wilcox of Great Harrington was umpire and his decisions are said to have given general satisfaction. After good playing the Housatonic boys won by a score of II to 3.
 At the noon hour the l mile novice bicycle race was won by Albert Hey wood, with H. Van Alstyne second and William Wichman third. Time 34l. In the mile amateur A. R, Barnes came first, O. E. Cross second and R. J. VanAlystine third. Time 2.49t. G. H. Knight of Housatonic won the l mile professional race by only few feet over J. l.. Decker of Ashley Falls For some unknown reason the judges { did not announce the time. The 1 mile handicap was won by 0. B. Cross of Ct. Harrington who had 8 handicap of 30 yards, A. R. Barnes was second. Time 2 20. The one half mile amateur was won by R. J. VanAlstyne, with Barnes second and Cross third. Time O8.
 Holmes of VanDeusenvllle was the winner of the one-fourth mile foot race in 53 seconds. The one-half mile race was won by William Roberts of Canaan with George Adams second and Lyman Miller of Sheffield third Time 2.23
 At the afternoon races the grand stand was packed with people and sometimes there was great applause as favorite horses appeared on the track. The 2.50 class was hotly contested race. Out of eighteen original entries but seven horses appeared. This num- Der was large enough for good race. The purse was $500 and the race was won in three straight heats by "Reddy Hanks" oh g, c. B. Snyder of Syracuse N. Y.. Bonnie L." Frank Matty from the same place was second. The best time was 2 22i. Locally the chief in- terest centered around the 2 30 class as