Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-09-12
FAIR A GREAT SUCCESS.
Big Crowds Every Day. Good Exhibits.
Financial Success.

held last week Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday was, in every way,
the most successful ever held.
The necessity of continuing the exhi-
bition of the fair through Saturday
on account of the inclement weather,
made it impossible for the Register to
give satisfactory account of the pro-
ceedlngs in last weeks issue, and the
paper was gotten out in advance of the
usual hour, in order to give as much |
publicity by its circulation, of the fact
that the fair was to be continued until
Saturday, and the several features of the
program postponed one day in conse-
quence.
Even with this apparent misfortune,
however, the ffty.eighth annual fair of
the Addison County Agricultural Society
was a pronounced success, and what
seemed misfortune, on account of the
adverse weather conditions, really
prove of benefit to the general public,
in giving to them an extra day for the
sight seeing, although to the managers
and those upon whom the extra labor
has fallen, their tasks were made more
onerous. But it is hoped that the fav-
orabe result will more than compensate
all concerned for the added cares and
individual labors. To the stated days
of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
Saturday was added as a measure of
necessity, and really proved one of the
best days of the series.
The managers had made unusual
Ct. IL.
best in the history of the society and
the opening day was auspicious of full
consummation of this desire. But the in
clement weather of the second day seemed
at first to blast this hope, so near Its
fruition. The managers, however, were
equal to the situation, and with good
Judgment determined to continue the
exhibition to the succeeding day. The
large attendance proved the wisdom of
this course, and the people who came
farthest to attend were the most earn
est and pronounced in their praise of the
exhibition. and the excellent manner in
which every promise was kept. The
programs of each day were faithfully
performed, and where changes were
made they were to accommodate circum-
stances that arose and required to be
met. The grounds and buildings were
placed in the best possible condition, the
racing track having been widened and
otherwise improved, until it was in prime
order, and is now one of the best half
mile tracks in the state. The addition
OF $50 to the free-for-all and %
classes, respectively, brought in good
class OF horses, and the list of entries
was an assurance to the lovers of track
sports that they would be gratifieu with
close contests and good time.
The addition of about one-third seat
ing capacity to the grand stand was a
wise measure, as it was well filled on
several occasions, and insu ed comfort to
the public and added to the finances of
the society. In this. as in other features,
the efforts of the managers to please
the public have resulted in material ben
efits to the fair.
The liberality of Col. Illsley in loanng
the society $1,000 for improvements, after
an expenditure of $4,000 for securing the
grounds, has put the whole community
under obligations to that gentleman. 1t
is understood that Col. Illsley also ex-
pended between two and three thousand
dollars in Improving and beauifying the
grounds, exclusive of the purchase price
of the property. The removal of the
dlapdated buildings, and their replace
ment by tasteful and cOmmodlous struc-
lures, was more than matter of appear
ance. as their utility during the fair fully
proved.
Wednesday was devoted to the recep-
ton of entries and placing the several
departments in position. The entries of
stock. manufactures and machinery was
very 1latterng for an interesting exhibit
tion, the result comparing favorably with
those of many more pretentious societies.
,f,,l hn. he haA h..nt nj
for the floral, domestic and fancy work
departments. and the entries in these, as
well as in the machinery and implement
sections were large and varied.
On Thursday morning people from the
outlying districts began pouring into the
town, Notwithstanding the unproptious
aspect of the weather, and even during
the heavy rainfall, which came early in
the day, strings of farmers wagons en-
tered from all directions.
A novel feature of the day was the
entry, about ten o'clock, of Troop and
Troop X, of U. S. Cavalry, from Fort
Ethan Allan, numbering Sc men, in
fatigue uniform, mounted on their horses
and bearing all the accoutrements for
active service. They had come from the
fort to Bristol the previous day and rode
in through the driving rainstorm that
Capt. ii. ii. Stanton, the separate troops
being in immediate charge of Lieutenant
X. S. Smalley and Lieutenant William
Pope, respectively. The troops bivou
aced on the fair ground, and remained
until Saturday afternoon, occupying tht il
tents and cooking rations In true soldier
style. The rain made 1t impossible To
carry out any portion of the out door
program for this day, the ground heing
so thoroughly soaked and the track in {
condition that precluded any attempt al
racing. But the indoor exhibits were
viewed by thousands of good-natureG
spectators, who realized the situation al
one that could not be avoided, and looked
for finer weather on the succeeding days
The announcement was made by tn
managers that the fair would be con
tinued on Saturday, and all the features
published would be carried out on tn,
following days. The inspiring strains o
the Ethan Allen band entertained th
people to a considerable extent, and mad