The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-24
From a Staff Correspondent

From a Staff Correspondent
Allentown, Pa, Sept. 23.-The fifty
first annual fair of the Lehigh County
Agricultural association began in this
city today and will continue tomorrow,
Thursday and Friday.
Those who have visited the "Great AL
lentown Fair" know that 1t is excelled
by no other fair in the state Of Penn
sylvania, and those Scrantonians who
have never been on it's grounds, but
are interested in such pleasures have
Il treat in store for them when they go
there. Thursday will unquestionably
be the big day" of the fair. when
Cresceus the king of the trotting world.
VIII undertake to make q new worlds
record for half-mile track, 2.02A be-
ing the present one, held by him, for a
purse of $4,000.
There were three races this afternoon
and they were disposed of in one-two-
three order. There were no entries in
either of these races from Northeastern
Pennsylvania. The starter was Frank
Smith, of Buffalo, whose stentOrian
tones many Scrantonians have heard at
Bloomsbury, where he is usually the
starter.
A new rule of the National Trotting
association was put in effect here for
the first time this afternoon, and it
proved to be a wise provision. Instead
of finishing one race before starting the
third one. a heat was trotted in each
race on the programme before the sec
ond heat in the first race was called.
In that way. every horse got good
breathing spell, the spectators We're not
kept waiting. and the three races were
disposed Of in two and three-quarter
hours.
FAIR GROUNDS LARGE.
The fair grounds are very ample and
the crowd of 5000 to 10000 persons on it
today had lots Of room. There are all
sorts of legitimate games, shows and
pastimes open in the hundreds of tents
and "shacks" that form the midway"
Even if a stranger did nothing but look
at the contents Of all these much
touted amusements he would pass the
three days of the fair in making many
new discoveries.
On entering the grounds and passing
down the first row of canvas streets,
the first building in sight is Horticul-
tura Hall. a substantial frame struc-
ture, about 1OOx30, and filled with choice
blooming flowers. palms. ferns and &C.
centric fauna. Next in line is Machin-
cry Hall, where displays of flour. pre-
pared cereals and farm machinery are
arranged tastefully.
The main exhibition building is be-
hind Machinery Hall. and the exhibits
in it are bewidering in their profusion.
T1,o,t n f1,0, nd Of t,in nf
art needlework fill two sides of GEN.
ter aisle, pinned so close and over
tapping each other so freely that the
fullest effect of the rich display cam
not be seen. To the right another aisle
Is adorned with hundreds of sofa cush-
ions of every conceivable design, and
on other aisles are sewing machines,
clothing, millinery. china. paintings,
shoes and anything that can be imagin-
ed. A number of the local merchants
have stalls of their goods in this build
ing.
DRIED FRUITS.
In Agricultural hall. the next in line.
one entire side OF a building 10OXS0 is
taken up with dried fruits in jars on
strings and in tin and porcelain ves-
sells On the other side as much space
is given 10 preserved anu cdllHeu lIullS
and jellies, while in the center the nat
ural fruit is displayed in all its tempt
ing fragrance and lusciousness Tn
wings to the right and left are field
products, vegetables, cereals. grains
and herbs. Gigantic squashes and
pumpkins large as barrels fill the posts
of honor near the doors
There are two buildings devoted to
r,pilltry with tbonSnnlS nf
cred inmates. In the first are fancy
strains of pigeons and chickens: in the
second, ducks, guinea hens, rabbits.
Belgian hares, geese, turkeys and pea
cocks hold court.
Seven cattle sheds are given up to
sheep. swine and cattle. One exhibitor
has seventy-four head of Jersey cattle
on show. Another has the largest steer
probably that was ever seen by any one
in this generation.
More than 200 stalls are occupied by
animals belonging to the horse family, |
every one of which is entered for n
premium in his or her class. This does
not include the race horses, of whom |
there are las entered for the fourteen |
races ON the card for the four days.
VAUDEVILLE SHOW.
Between the heats this afternoon |
there were special attractions given on |
raised platform in front of the grand
stand by vaudeville troupe. The
famous Armstrong; gave comedy trick
bicycle riding and ride inside the
cycle whirl, consisting of picket fence
tilted at an angle of As degrees, the
riders going around on the inside like
r. marble In "A rapidly twrling bowl
There was miniature vaudeville cir
Gus, with clown, two ponies and two
dogs; the Milfords, Ethiopian comedl-
ans and dancers; the four Lukens, a
wonderful quartette of acrobats; Cas-
selle, the high-wire walker, and Lille
Adair, very good serpentine dancer.
At o'clock a negro aeronaut made n
very successful ascent i'm large bal
loon, going up about 500 feet and drop
ping inside the race-course with para
chute.
The first race was called at lis
o'clock. The entire three races were
easy for the winners, who seemed to
come in as they pleased Although each
of the three today We're scheduled for
slow performers the time made was
never above 230. Summary:
FIRST RACE.
ESQ class, trotting; purse. $500.
Maud c., by st. Jonathan (Coville)
Almeda, b. m. (McF'arland. .j..... 9
Belle *, b. m. Qiinkle) ..,,,.,,... 3 9
Billy Payne, b. g. tMoore) ........ dis.
Time, 2.27i4. 2.29k, 1854.