Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-15


the men and teams We're at work a
furrow was ploWed just on the inside
of the track inside the fence. Then
men with spades continued the grade
of the track down into this ditch.
Pipes We're laid on both edges of the
track to carry off all the water which
gathered in the bitches at the sides of
the track. The water from it will flow
into the new ditch on the inside and be
Immediately carried off.
Managers Lishness and Lee while
showing one of the Journal men over
the park said that even it if should
rain up to 10 or IL o'clock on the
Fourth Of July, the races advertised
for that day could be held, for the new
system Of drainage would carry the
water off as fast as it FELL and the
track would be dry enough for a race
inside Of three hours, unless it was an
unusually heavy rain.
All the fences and the stables and
awnings have been whitcwashed. A
is to be suspended the sign bearing the
words, Augusta Driving Park.S The
been set for some time, but the sign
was not hung until after the visit OF
the circus. for the management wished
to have it high enough for any teams
which were likely to use the gate.
The old tumbed down bleachers on
the west of the baseball diamond have
all been torn down. They We're an eye
sore. having tumbled over during
game last summer. The lumber has
been utilized for other purposes, and
the diamond with only the grand stand
looks much heater than formerly with
the bleachers. The diamond has been
regarded and fixed so that it is the
Hequal of any diamond in this section.
The grand stand was secure enough.
but the rain had washed holes under it
from the track, ana the frost had
twisted it out Of shape. 1t had been in
bad condition for a few seasons, but
now is as good as new. New posts
have been put in and a wharfing I'M
der the edge Of the track 50 that the
unsightly holes will be seen no more.
A grand stand ticket office has been
erected near where the old restaurant
used to stand
From this ticket Office there is a
walk leading to the stand. over 400
railroad ties We're used in building the
foundation for this walk. and it was
pllnked and then replanked with the
boards running crosswise. The walk
extends over - feet beyond the grand
stand. and it is hoped that by this ar
rangement the crowds can be kept
from the track. Then just beyond is Il
fence which has a broad board placed
on the top on which the people will be
asked to sit, instead of standing on the
track.
The refreshment booth has been
moved to a point near where the
fence has been erected shutting off the
view from the grand stand to the res
| taurant, which is as it should be.
This fence viii be sold to some mer-
chant as an advertisement. A num-
Der Of loads Of gravel have been
dumped in this part Of the grounds,
making it much more comfortable
, walking than blowing through holes
and over hillocks.
The judges stand has not been
neglected in the repairs, but has been
| thoroughly Overhauled and new stills
ana posts placed in position. 1t will
| be painted, as will the grand stand,
/ they being the only painted buildings
on the grounds.
There has always been a good-sized
opening from the judges stand to the
track. and the crowd has been accus-
toned to surging back and forth
through this upon the track, and al
though four policemen were employed
at this part of the track, last year. they
were unable to keep the crowds back
The fence has been extended down and
only narrow gate, barely wide
enough for a fat person to pass
through, has been put in. This will
| prevent the crowd from surging upon
the track as the horses come down the
stretch. The precautions taken in this
direction by the management makes
the chance of an accident from persons
being on the track very slight.
There has always been more or less
trouble with the water supply. There
il 4 fine spring over near the quarter
post. over six feet deep and its supply
il almost ineXhaustibe. A system of
mines 10 the stables has been laid, and
4 windmill placed over the spring. a
reservoir with a capacity Of 1900 gal
lons has been placed on the knoll over
all l,