Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-09-16
ORLEANS COUNTY FAIR.

The first day of the fair opened
bright and cool and the exhibitors
commenced driving in their stock
early in the morning. All day long
it kept coming. together with the
teams which were carrying exhibits
for floral hall, and at night more en-
tries had been made in several de-
partments than ever before. Expec-
tations had been raised high and most
people thought the fair would be
superior to previous fairs. 1t was
known throughout the county that
vast amount of work had been done
and money had been expended to put
the grounds in the best possible con-
dition, and many had curiosity to
see the improvements as we'll as the
other attractions. Then, too a large
class of people always plan to make
the days of the fair holidays, and they
usually come, rain or shine. Wed
nesday opened cloudy and just enough
rain fell in the early part of the day
to lay the dust, and as natural con-
sequence this deferred many from
coming, although the trains from both
north and south were quite well load
ed and teams were numerous bringing
people to the fair, and at 10:30 when
the game of baseball began a large
number of fpeople were, on the grounds.
The game started off well and at first
was closely contested, but after little
the Hardwick boys fell behind, and
apparently lost hope of winning,
though they made some smart plays
and run in four men in one inning.
The Woodsville boys had good bat
terry and were better sustained in the
field.
At the same time that the baseball
game was in progress the contest to
ascertain which span of horses could
draw the greatest load was taking
place and John FIeming's roam span
won the first prize while Henry Dew
ereaux' horses got the second prize.
1t was estimated that the load drawn
by Fieming's horses would weigh $500
pounds. In the contest by single
horses Gee. Reeds gray horse won first
prize and a horse owned by Perley
Davis of Bloomington the second. A
lively interest was manifested in these
contests and when the winning horses
were known the crowd cheered Justify.
After the contest Geo. Robinson
hitched on his horses which had not
been entered for the prize, and he drew
the large load with much ease. The
race which was to have come off at
100 p. m. was postponed on account
of the rain, the track becoming so
muddy it was impracticablet to attempt
it. Meanwhile, to entertain the crowd
which had gathered on the grand
stand, the st Johnsbury brass band
consisting of twenty five pieces led by
John Moore played some choice pop
ular airs and medleys which were ap-
preciated by many. After the rain the
platform where the acrobats were to
play was covered with sawdust and
worked over until it became suitable
for the work of the performers. Some
mastery work was done here, and a
better exhibition of the kind has
never been seen in this town. Es-
pecially pleasing were the feats of
the little Japs, and their agility called |
forth cheers of appreciation from the |
many who witnessed them. Their |
balancing on the blocks, and walking
on their hands with their feet around
their necks and turning somersauIts |
convulsed the crowds with laughter.
Conway and Leland, too, added much |
to the merriment of the occasion for |
all who witnessed the one legged per-
formers. Theirs was a unique and
novel entertainment, and their pro-
ficiency was remarkable considering
the fact that they were so dismem-
bered. Arvello's feats on the horizon
tai bar showed marvellous strength
and skill. Perhaps no man has ever
performed here that could show such
development of the muscles of the
arms as this man. Wahlund and
Teklal handled with ease dumb bells
which many a strong man could hard
ly lift from the ground. Whatever
may have been the other attractions
of the fair no one has reason to COM