The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-22

The last day Of the West Alexander
fair was favored with sunshine and a
temperature that made oyercoats feel
decidedly comfortable. The opening
day was attended by practically only
the exhibitors, and 1900 people braved
the rain on Wednesday. double this
number being attracted to the grounds
yesterday by "old SOILS" appearance in
the morning. Considering the weather
the association was well satisfied with
It's second annual exhibition and prom
Uses greater attraction next year.
The West Alexander fair is not ex-
cluslvely Pennsylvania product. Its
grounds are on the Mounts farm, which
is within West Virginia territory, and
a little over mile from the conserva-
i've village on the hill, once the Gretna
Green for young people OF the tri-state
radius wishing to dispense with the con-
sent of parents averse to their matri-
monial alliances. The association is or
ganIzed under a West Virginia charter,
and since its initial show sounded the
death knell of Potomac's affair, which
for years was the whole thing in that
section, West Aiexander's fair has a
peculiar interest for the Pan Handle
ties, 1t is in good hands and is destined
to grow, with the same persistence
characterlzing many of the mammoth
"punkIns" exhibited yesterday to a
gaping multitude.
The fair directors do not take kindly
to the "shell man" or others of his kin,
and horse racing has also failed to take
root. The latter sport may be debarred
on account Of adverse typographical
conditions for the fair grounds cover a
hhl-top which affords an extensive
view of a prosperous farming country
for miles, but doesn't possess the re-
ouisItes for level track. There is,
however, credItable one-thIrd mile
course, taking into account its rise and
fall. The patronage of the fair devel-
oped no man with the hoe" specimens,
and the typical stage Joshuas were evil
IDENTITY at Jacktown. The crowd was a
well dressed one, coming from within n
circle Of thirty miles, and was apparent
ly contented with the features pro-
vlded. In many respects the
scene had a big family picnic
ring to 1t, with the hand
shaking. and general inquiries about the
health and conditions Of the respective
communities were soiicitiousiy inquired
after. The candidates made their visit
on Wednesday.
The programmes feature yesterday
was the ladies' saddle riding contest.
There we're four entries, and after a
close contest, the honors fell to Miss
Lillian Forster, of West Liberty, for
merly of Texas, where she learned to
tame the fiery broncho. DR.. Ttmmons,
OF West Alexander, secured the prize
for the best driving team, and also for
single driver. A spectacle admired was
the cavaicade, led by ex-Deputy Sheriff
]. NJ. McColloch, OF this city The prize
cattle were equal to anything shown in
more pretentlous fairs, the horses were
also well bred, and in fact, the stock
exhibit was exceedingly good as to
quality. Over 100 head Of cattle were
shown. MeIster's band, which furnish
ed appreciated music for the fair, pre-
ca6a5 the cavsIcade.
The main hall had goodly array Of
fruits, fancy work, art and domestic
exhibits, and 1t was thronged all day
long. Several Wheeling firms made
trade displays. A short distance away
ROSTERS kept up n merry war in the
poultry sh ID. and there were swine and
sheep that drew admirIng tributes from
"the bone and sinew of the land" The
prize pumpkin weighed ninety pounds,
and It was as round as n ball. Tin
type tents. lemonade booths and Texas
Harry's" show courted the nIckels from
youthful SWANS.
The association gave from $500 to
81 900 in cash premiums, and director
stated this sum would be increased next
year. In addition to the buildings
erected this year others are contem-
plated. The new grand stand was n
failure from location and other stand
points, and It stood silent and tenant
less, n monument to mistaken enter
prise. Visitors from Wheeling remark
ed the number OF vehicles dottIng the
fields about the grounds, and In this re-
spect West Alexander's fair distances
all corners. Their number yesterday
may be computed when It is realized
that 1000 people were thus transported
to the fair.