Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-06
GOVERNORS DAY
Calls an Immense Crowd to
Maine State Fair.
Races All Snappy, with Great Sport
in Automobile Contests.
Geo W. thornton. Chcstc,viiIc. Killed by Shot
+ from Shooting Gallery.

went hither and thither over the park
srhe3@a general disregard of the ccnvcn-
tionalities of dress WAS noticeable.
VESTS We're minus. collars were nearly
so. and the vendors of all ki-as of cold
drinks revealed in thoughts of the
kSrGnd figure the receipts OF III" day
Would attain.
The crowd began to come early and
in ever increasing numbers Its guinu
TO be a good one" said one of the cate
keepers Il have stood at this gate 70,
10 years now and | have always noticed
when the people come the way they are
this morning. there will be heaps OF
en- before night
The Maine Central trains into the
city III the morning were heavily load
cd and the Electric Road had all il
could do to handle the crowd. Ey I'll.
way. I'll. Electric Road management
has followed its usual custom of doub-
| ling up on its fare rates to the grounds
during fair week, and 10 cents each
| way is the figure which causes little
dis abstraction amCng those who are a
| little careful how their nic,lols go. The
Min" Central special trains TO the
grounds are crowded To their fun ca
| p1citY every trip. today.
\ sad acCd, Mt occurred ut the fair
grounds. today. when George Thornton
| Of i'heStCrville. was instantly killed
| by bullet from a 2a-calibfc rifle used
| at one of the shooting galleries On the
| Westerly side of the grounds.
Mr. Thornton was on the Maine Cen
| trail platform at the time. The board
l. Ia, 4 6
| but one thickness and the bullet pass
| ing through the place where two boards
| Join. entered his breast and pierced his
| heart.
| The body was at cncc taken to the
| city in an ambulance preparatory to
| it's being taken home. Mrs. Thornton
VAS on tho grounds and was grief
| stricken.
Both were guests of Mr.. Thornton's
| sister. Mrs. Everett Hutchins of Au-
| burn. He WAS 81 years of age and mar
| ned and did quite Il business as col
| lector of cream in Chesterville. step
| uother. Mrs. Nathaniel Perkins, lives
| there The remains were taken later to
| SIMPSONS undertaking rooms in Lew
| iSton. where they are now waiting.
| ','hc accident was a peculiar one in
| many respects. The target gallery
| which was owned by Harvey White. is
| located about 20 rods down til" Mid
| way from the gate. The range is
| toward the north fence railroad. 1t is
| said that the fatal shot was fired by
Il lady who dis ppcared at once in the
| crowd Harvey White of Livermore
! Falls. the proprietor, was arrested lat
| or in the afternoon. and is held for a
| hearing.
| Charles w. Shaw Of Portland, who
| was standing near Mr.. Thornton when
| he was shot. was struck by splinter
| from the fence and received quite a IA
| cial scratch Mr.. Shaw is at the head
| If the Portland Business College.
Gov. Hill and party arrived on III"
| grounds in carriages at 1.30 I. NJ. ard
| His Excell"ncy WAS greeted WITH the
| regulation IL guns fired by the Paine
Fireworks co. The party took dinner
at the Dewitt Hotel.
| The party occupied a box opposite
| the Judges stand during the races. In
the box were Brig3 der General Frank
l.. Hoyt of Lewiston, inspector general:
Lieut.. Col Francis keefc of Eliot. aid
de-camp: ajor Holman r. Day Of Au-
burn. military secretary; cx-GoN Alon-
y. Garcelon of Lewiston. Mayor Fur
bush of Lewiston. and Mayor "llson
| OF Auburn: Councillors Chase ana
HAYNES, Bank Examiner f. f. I1mher-
lake. ex-Mayor ~ w. Harris OF A'-
burn. Col A. +. Nealey Of Lewiston
H. r. Peakes of the state board OF
railroad commissioners. Judge George
G. Wing of Auburn, William II. fcii-
nell of Lewiston, Albert Young OF Au-
| burn. Col OSgood of Portland. w. NJ.
Dunn of Waterville, George Bish"p "i
New York. Whitman Sawyer ana MI
Scribner. prison inspectors
II The usual excellent between neat
Il specialtios were introduced and were
much enioyed the same of course pcihS
Il true of the races.
n Estimates as to the size nf the crown
range from 10000 people and up. inc
big grandstand was filed TO ITS "',,''.'
capacity. and the exhibition hail Is
filled with an immense crowd OF s"e'-
tering people.
The Midway is filled with an ever
Il moving throng and the cattle st '''9'
horse sheds sheep and pig pens are ~
1 ceiring their share OF attention.
The great Maine State falr IS t'u'y
proving all it promised TO be. in spi'e
of the torrid atmosphere the people are
enjoying themselves. 1t is evident on
their faces as they are net IN the
pushing. struggling crowd
1t seems to be the general opihioh'
freely expressed, that the exhibits, She
amusement attractions and in Iacl
everything connected with the fair
beat all records. The fair of 1901 must
GO down in the annals OF the Maine
state Agricultural Society as the
GROWING event held unoer its auspi-
ces. The efficient officials of the societl-
lat cd on no success