Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-09-05


under very favorable circumstances,
and has been successful throughout.
The exhibits have been up 10 the usu-
al standard in the several departments
and the crowds have enjoyed them
selves just as they always do.
A very large crowd of persons was
present Wednesday TO see the military
drill and sham battle. The visiting
militia, Company B, from Hagerstown,
commanded by Capt. Geo. L. Fisher,
and Company NJ, from Martinsburg
Captain Parks commanding, arrived
on the train and marched to the speak
er's stand, where a brief address Of
welcome was delivered by H. L. Sny-
der, and responded to by Captain
Fisher. In the military drill contest
the Hagerstown Company won, and a
beautiful silk flag was presented to
the victors. Captain Fisher has his
company splendidly drilled, and they
are soldierly looking set Of men.
The sham battle between the two
military companies on the one hand
and Tuscarora Tribe of Red Men on
the other was a thrilling affair. The
Indians, in picturesque war costumes,
made an attack on wagon train,
which they captured and burned, also
burning at the stake captured op-
ponent-of straw. The soldiers then
made gallant charge upon the red
skins, driving them back slowly, and
finally routing them entirely. A deal
of powder was burned, about 5000
charges Of ammunition being used up,
but fortunately there were no fatali-
ties, as all the dead came to life when
the battle was over The engagement
took place in the field across the pike
from the grove.
An immense crowd of persons was
on the grounds Thursday. 1t is quite
evident that the fair is still growing
in popularity, for the visitors do not
seem to tire of it at all, and each year
finds Thursday big day. There
were hundreds and hundreds of ve-
hicles from every quarter, and the
railroads carried large crowds. 1t is
estimated that the attendance was
from 5000 to 10000.
The poultry department, in charge
of John G. Hoffman, was the best this
year that has ever been seen at our
fair. There were high fowls Of
every sort in great numbers. The
accommodations were entirely made
quate, and tents had to be put up and
coops arranged outside to show the
many specimens. Mr.. Warner, the
expert Judge, said he had never seen
a finer lot Of fowls, though there were,
of course, some, larger exhibits. A
new building will probably be put up
for the poultry.
The social features of the fair are
main attraction, and visitors always
enjoy this part of Morgan's Grove ex-
hibition. Twenty-Five or thirty tents
on the grounds are occupied by fami-
lies from the neighborbood, and here
they keep open house for their friends.
The fair is a good deal like big pic
mic, and there is free and easy hos
pitality that is the wonder and admi-
ration of the visitors from other Sec
tons.
The interest in the award Of the
flower premiums was up to the stan
dard among the ladies. The fortu-
nate winners of premiums were Miss
Title Harris, first prize for potted
plants, Mrs. G.. r. Hodges second for
cut flowers, Mrs. D. NJ. Schoppert
first, Miss Annetta Entler second.
The balloon ascensions by Signor
Alvin are worth the money. He as
cends to an immense height and is
then propelled from his cannon,
when a mere speck in the sky. He
falls for short distance with great
speed, and then his parachute opens
and he descends to the earth as grace
fully as bird. 1t is a mighty risky |
business to follow, and makes the
spectators nervous to see the ascent |
and descent. Signor Alvin is dar-
ing and successful aeronaut.
The excellent order at the fair and
the good humor Of everybody there
speaks well for the management and
for the people. There was no disorder
of any sort, no drunkenness, no indie
cent shows, no gambling games or dis
honest devices. We did not hear Of
one arrest being made during the
week. The people heartily commend
the absence of the questionable schemes
that are usually found at the fair.
Too much credit cannot be given |