Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-10-31
HEATHSVILLE'S FAIR,


sions uncommon and special. Turn
ing aside from the every day habits
of our lives, forssking the places of
our daily haunts the people of this
town, with those from all over this
county, gathered at the fair grounds
here recently to enjoy the exhibi-
tions, races (both white and colored J
and amusements usually seen at a
county fair. 1t is well-known fact
that the prospects for the continu-
ance of our annual fair have not,
heretofore, been any too bright, and
the directors are to be especially
lauded for the perseverance and
patience that they have shown through
all the years of the fairs existence.
Many less resolute body would have
given over in despair and have al
lowed the worthy undertaking they
had in charge to have died in their
hands and become non est.
1t is to be hoped the fair, recently
closed, marks the beginning of a
brighter future for the Association,
and assures the firm establishment
OF an institution, in purpose, grand.
In all lines of industry and agricul-
ture, possible to our weather aud
soil conditions, Northumberland is
moving ahead with rapid strides; in
all directions her prosperity is mani
fest, and this is most hopeful fact
to the fair Association, because they
are well assured this county is able to
have handsome exhibition, and one
that would very favcrably compare
with any in the State. Aside from
that, a fact more gratifying still to
the friends of the fair, is the very
general interest taken in the fair this
year.
The attendance this time was very
good, the largest being present the
second day. A hundred persons
would include the first days atten-
dance, twelve times as many were
there the second, and on the last five
hundred took in the sights. This is
no better than formerly, but what
those thirty-six hundred eyes had to
see was decided improvement. The
feathered tribe alone failed to meet
up to the general improvement.
In the agricultural department it
is by the many conceded the display
was much greater and the quality
better than ever before. In the
ladies department there was never a
larger exhibit of pretty and appetiz-
ing jams, preserves, jellies, pickles
and wines. Many a handsome colt
stood in the stalls without, several
yokes of oxen "chawed their cuds"
peacefully on, and without yarning
or oVer-drawing, if the exhibitions
tell anything, the interest in the
fair this year is much over that of
many previous years.
Already my fair account has grown
unintentionally long, but 1t would be
great injustice should / leave unsaid
a word of the races, of the racers and
their owners. A word in brief of all
save the last must suffice. Bedworth,
a handsome three-year-old, owned by
Capt. Cooper, gave the dust to
Twilight, three-year-old belonging
to Fred Fairfax. Bedworth is a
promising young stallion, pacing
the half mile in 1 minute, 1 1 seconds.
In the two-year.old race Prince
Edward of Lancaster, the property of
j. +. Blakemore, won easily. Several
other races were had, but exciting no
interest are passed. The third day
cool and beautiful one the whole. The
track in perfect order; 2 o'clock had
come and gone, no steed had rushed
around it. Back and forth the. five
hundred tired and fatigued slowly
moved. The bell in the judges stand
tapped, all eyes instantly turned that
way, and it was announced that
race between Capt. Hinton's Free
Silver and DR.. Sydnor's Miss Peeka-
boo was about to be off. This meant
nothing, as everyone knew the horses
were unevenly matched. Free Silver
won all three heats with ease. The
day was drawing to close, on every
face disappointment was very ap-
parent. Again the bell tingled, but
very few cared to hear the announce
ment now. Anyhow a few heard
the judge say, "In few minutes
race opened to all horses of three
minute class will begin" There were
four entries, viz: Capt. Hinton's
Free Silver, Capt. Cooper's Deacon,
o. E. Belts Lady Eugenia and
Prince Edward. With