The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-09-28
TaDDa1aNROGR Fair,
THE FARMERS AND THE IMPLE-
MENTs FACE TO FACE.


The Ladies aud Their Splendid Exhibits
The Baby Show The Racing and the Stock
Departments Not Equal to Former Years
The Exhibitions. However a Success,
etc etc.
Tsppahannock, Va, Sept % 1899
Wednesday, the first day Of the long
anticipated. and much talked OF Fair.
opened upon the people Of Tappahan-
mock with the sky lowering and thick
ly overcast with clouds During
Tuesday evening and night the rain
had fallen IN torrents and while the
clouds gradually lifted and the sun
came out as the morning Of Wednesday
advanced, it was too late to draw the
crowds and in point Of numbers. the
day was a dismal failure; hardly over
25J pay visitors having passed through
the gates.
The second day was preceded by
another night Of storm and rain, but
about sunrise the clouds lifted, and
promise Of bright day set the people
all astir. \ little after nine O'Clock
the people began to pour through the
gates. and by one O'Clock the largest
crow d Of paying visitors ever gath
cred In the history Il the Fair. had
assembled
The Exhibition Hall WAS the first
place Of attraction On the lower
door was displayed the agricultural
produce proper. and here might be
seen some exhibits Of corn, wheat oats,
fodder and all kinds Of vegetables
which would have done credit to any
section Of our State, in quality, GER
tainly if not in quantity. Here also
was the display Of poultry, shown
unmiatakably that our people are wax
ing up 10 the importance OF improving
their stock, and are introducing into
their poultry yards some OF the best
and most improved blood OF the coun-
try. Along this line Mr. J. L. Green
secured quite a number Of premiums,
and deserves special mention for his
public spirit and enterprise.
On this first fl jor also, Mr. Oaulheli g.,
the gentlemanly agent OF the firm OF
Sanders IL Stayman, had an attractive
display. Of musical instruments, and
| constantly through the hours OF each
day he "discoursed sweet music to
the delight of the constant stream OF
people. as they passed to and fro
Here also that young and most
wide. awake firm, Of your city, Messrs
W. A. Bell & Bro. had most attractive
display Of furniture and household
articles generally Their display add
ed greatly TO the interest and attrac-
tiyeness of the floor, and elected
warm commentators from the lips OF
many an admiring observer.
On the second floor Of this hall were
arranged the work of woman's delft
hands 1t vas a bewildering display OF
things both useful and beautiful. This
department was decidedly the feature
OF this building. aud dem )nstated that
the daughters Of Essex, noted for their
charms Of manner. and graces and
beauty of form and features. were also
wonderfully skllful and beautifully
practical as house keepers, and home
makers.
The usual fakirs and side shows were
more numerous than formerly. and SEEM
ed to be literally pAtronized.
To Your correspondent the display OF
agricultural implements, by the pro-
gressive and thoroughly business house
OF Turner & Griffith Company, was one
OF the most important and attractive ex'
hibits on the grounds Our people
need 10 be brought face to face with
all the improvements in the agricul-
tunsl implements Of the day. None
are too good for the honest sons OF toll
who amid adverse circumstances, and
unfavorable legislation are bravely lab
orinQ on striving to make two blades OF
grass grow where one now grows. and
feeding all from President Mckinley
down TO the humble dweller in the
land.
All praise to Fair which brings the
farmer and the implements he needs
face TO face. and all praise to the men
who conduct the Fair and make this
possible
Reverting TO the woman's depart
ment of the Exhibition Hall, it IL
proper TO say that Mrs. r. I. Cauthorr
secured the largest number premiums.
and has blue ribbon to burn, while
Mrs. r H. Bagby. following in thu
footsteps Of her mother, secured also
quite a number Of premiums. Mrs
! Wortley Durham received the premium
for the handsomest and largest collect
} ion of flowers.
The racing in the opinion of man,
was inferior to that Of other years
Many handsome horses were con
= testants for the prizes, but the contest
were not as close or exciting as usual
Louis NJ. was the favorite among th'
trotters, and Grand Ma among the rae
( ing stock.
The event of Friday was the "Bab.
Show" which occurred in the Exhi
r bition Hall at II O'Clock.
Three handsome silver cups had beel
offered by the management Tor tnre
o distinct grades or classes OF children
. Oae cup was to be given to the mos
I attractive child under or about ON
year of age. Another to the child unde
I or about three years OF age aud owe
one year. And still third to tn
child over three and under five years