Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-09-25
When Randolph Had a Fair.


There has been time IN her history |
when Randolph had fair that was joy |
to the people and a source Of satisfaction
TO its promoters. Forty-three years ago
occurred the first exhibition of the Union
Agricultural and Mechanical association
in West Randolph, which was held De-
tober II, 1853, and proved, according TO
report, decided success. An account OF
the fair, which will be Of interest to the
older residents especially, has been found
and reads as follows:
AT fifteen minutes before nine an ex-
ira train brought large delegations from
South Royalton, ROYalton and Bethei.
At ten O'Clock the OK teams from East
and West Braintree effected a junction at
the north and were escorted to the grounds
on a beautiful eminenee at the south OF,
and overlooking, the village, by the W hite
River Cornet band Of Bethel. fThe site
was that part OF the village still known as
the fair ground but now laid out in streets
and nearly covered with residences). Inc
West Braintree team, numbering about ~
yoke drew q large car tastefully decorated
with evergreens, with neat banner ana
load Of pretty girls and broad-shouldered
boys, all Of which are common 10 the
Green Mountain state.
1.-THE East Braintree team, numbering
40 yoke, drew a cart containing merino
! buck that was almost load for the mon
ster team. Soon after similar team ar
rived from the Center and East part OF the
town, constituting the most noted arrivals
from that direction.
s'Then came the Rochester mammoth
two-story car, yclept a Branch OF Ihe
Union, drawn by 60 yoke OF oxen. The
first floor was occupied by a large delega-
tion of Green Mountain girls and boys,
and the second floor by the Green Noun
tain brass band from Rochester and Gran
vile. The car was festooned with fruits,
grains and eyergreens.
"Bethel was represented by a team,
which ably disputed for the palm with
Rochester. Indeed many good judges, we
presume, pronounced the Bethel car the
most unique and beautiful, but our
opinion is that Rochester was little
ahead.
seTbe exhibition was hastily gotten up
and was at best an experiment, put
proved a most successful one. We believe,
in point Of numbers, there never has been
so large a collection OF cattle and horses
in Vermont as were brought together mere.
In point OF quality the working, oxen
would be hard TO beat, while the horses
were OF all grades except the poorest;
Among the horses, a pair OF matched
blacks, five years old, presented bY W II
lard Cav, attracted much attention by
their graceful, easy carriage ana proIlpt'
premium and we doubt If the state can
| produce more promising pair OF colts,
4 We were particularly struck by tne me
appearance Of a black Sherman Morgan
/ colt. four years old, entered by Mr.. MOT
ton Of this place.
"The show OF fruit was necessarily
small. One or two mammoth squashes
and few specimens OF roots were about
all in that department. In the various
mechanical departments the show was not
large Mrs. Flint and Mrs. RoweH eA-
| hibited case OF millinery that attracted
good deal of attention and the ladies pro-
nounced the goods stylish and DeantlIul:
f. B. Salisbury made good showing VI
boots and shoes, ready-maae clotnlls;
rich silks, ETC.. and there were several
snecimens of hair-work, painting ana
| drawing that were creditable TO the
s.The two bands, the White River Cornet
hand. ID. Torrey leader, and the Green
Mountain Brass band, A. FISK Ieader,
discoursed excellent music. we must n no,
omit mentioning the band OF MARTA
mnsic.i Consisting OF fife and two drums
from Braintree. Its performance was
good and carried us back to the days OF
Juvenile ambition when we trudged bare
! footed to the town training and muncheu
Gingerbread as we followed the 'nood-
wood up and down the single street al
the Center of the town." .,a.,
| In those DAYS fair was not compls.e
| without a speech, and the orator on this
occasion was Hon. S. B. Colby OF Mont
nelier. who referred in his remarks TO the
1 famous proclamation of Gov. ChittenueH
training the state m ilitia from gong
beyond the Vermont borders, at the tlln'
of the Plattsburgh invasion, 20 alu W "
! sister state OF New York against the Brit
ish. So much Indignation did TINS proc
lemation grouse that an answer, deiyihL
the governor, was drawn up and signed "
every officer OF the brigade. ,-,- a.,
sThere,n said Mr.. Colby, spoke ln'
shirt OF the Green Mountains: such wa
ne moral courage-the love OF country
! that inspired these men to drop the prov
the sickle and the scythe and hurry on
ward in the very teeth of the governor
nrotest and proclamation. Regardless 2
J state lines. onward they went, tine YRS
woIds. Smiths and Edsons OF Brookneiu
/, the Fdpertons. Flints, Parishes, Cottohs
Tarboxes and Collamers of Randoipni IN
Hudsons. Hutchinsons and Cushmahs
Rraintree-not mindful where, but 70 lac
:. the enemies OF country they were poun
E 10 live in and for, and II need be, ole ioi
In the expressive language OF capt. 10
Hudson Of Braintree, as mlnuted on Va
margin OF his roll of men assembled tn
morning Of Sept. 10, 1sl4,-the or.g ,ns
being preserved in the state secre1"iS
office-the case is stated; ,. -,
! - Sept. 10, collected at hanooipn ~ ~
mt our names down TO go 10 VI
! northard ho1d
: Long shall the tale be told,
n yeas when our babes are old,
g II. tJ,ax YnGhpd onward ~