The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-10-01
NORTHFIELD FAIR.
Large Attendance. Fine Exhib-
its. Best Fair Ever Held.

The second day of Northfeld fair
seemed to be all that could be desired
in the way of attendance and weather
which, though slightly chilly, was
much more comfortable in the midst of
such crowd than it would have been
if warmer
At noon it was stated that over 6, 900
tickets had been sold and the crowd at
that time pouring in at the gateway
made it seem that the number would
be easily doubled, while the exclama-
ton, "The greatest crowd l ever saw
here" was frequently heard. A good
natured and jolly assemblage it was,
which bore the hustling and jostling
with an equanimity not to be disturb
ed by slight discomfort. Everybody
nodded and smiled and shook hands
with everybody else, tired faces grew
bright and dull care was, for the
moment, driven away in the renewal
of old acquaintance and the exchange
of hearty greetings. The band played,
toy balloons squeaked man with
long hair and fierce mustachios, in a
stentorian voice, invited the crowd to
come and look at the wild man"
while his rival opposite tried to out
voice him in urgent appeals to come
in and see 1.-the great black bear" for
only ten cents. The track was in good
condition and some rather close con-
tests in the races excited enthusiasm
The new feature and chief attraction
was the riding of the troops of the
United States cavalry which called
| forth many expressions of admiration.
When the hillside was black with
people and the stand filled to it's ut
most capacity, the opportunity seem
ed to have come to look through Floral
Hall in comparative ease, but all such
| hopes were dissipated for the crowd
| extended even to this place. A little
| patience, however, enabled one to get
look at the different departments.
| A collection of shells and other cur
| iosities from the sea attracted the
eye near the entrance, followed by
oil paintings and water color sketches
of more or less merit Some specimens
of topographic work on wood were
on exhibition, and the burnt work on
velvet showed beautifully, especially
on the white, in the pale gold of the
lighter tracery to the deep brown of
the fiercer and more prolonged appli
cation. Space forbids mention of the
many articles of exquisite handiwork
in knitting, crochet, Battenburg,
quilts, rugs and afghans-till the eye
| was Jew llutICu ny llS NdllCbg anu
beauty. Several enterprising business
firms occupied booths in the hall
where they displayed their wares.
The vegetable and fruit department
indicated either scant crops or lack
of interest, for the display was not
equal to that of other years in qunti-
ty, though the quality was not to be
criticised. One mammoth pumpkin
bore the inscription, Roosevelt's all
right for 1904.
In the exhibition of cattle, Hols-
teins were predominant and some full
blooded animals of high value were
shown. A group of Ayrshires, regis
tered stock, from L S. Drury 5
stock farm in South Burlington, re-
joiced the eyes of dairymen. After a
look at all these, besides hogs, poultry,
sheep and horses the day was far
spent, and the crowd dispersed in or
derby quiet, bearing the inconvenience
of long delays and overcrowded trains
with the same undisturbed good ma
ture, and passing the time in merry
jest and lively repartee
THIRD DAY.
The Dog River Valley fair closed at
Mortified on Thursday after three
days of success, which is unprecedent-
ed in the history of this association.
The best of weather prevailed all
through the fair, large crowds were
in attendance daily, that on the last
day being about half of the gigantic
one of Wednesday, and the exhibit OF
cattle and other live stock was &C
knowledged to be ahead of that ever
shown there before. Troop A, United
States second cavalry, from For
Ethan Allen was in attendance
throughout the fair and daily gave
exhibitions of Craftsmanship in 8
monkey drill" which made the boys
in blue the center of attraction. The
cavalrymen were in command o.
Lieut.. Pope and camped on the bluff
at one side of the race course ant
their street was the Mecca of many
of the maidens. Their exhibitions O.
rough riding were on the verge of thu
marvellous John Hutchinson of East
Braintree had on exhibition six hand
some young foxes and G. W. Flagg O.
, the same place prairie wolf, or GOV
ote Stationed close at hand but Sc
, cure in their cages was a fine exhibi
of fowls, pigeons and Guinea pigs
, Two interesting races were given il
the afternoon of Thursday. In tn,
Q ;27 class, Dick WEIGH took first mon
ey and Little Joe second. Time
:2614 purse, 500. In the free.for
all, May Queen took first money ant
Florence II. second. Time, 2 :20la
purse, $l75. The prize winner
, among the exhibitors follow;
THOROUGHBRED CATTLE.
Shorthorns; A. e. Eldridge, Warren
first prize, cow
Jerseys CLARK Flint, Mortified
first prize, calf d. H. skinner, Waits
, field, first prize, COW; Ed. Fiske
Mortified, second prize, COW.
Ayershies: L. S. Drew, South Bur
: lington, first prize, two year old bull
calf, two year old heifer, yearlinl
heifer, COW and heifer calf, also sec
ond prize COW, yearling heifer ant
heifer calf.
Holstein: W. D. Plastridge, North
field, first prize, heifer calf and tw'
year old heifer and second prize
cows L. M. Seaver, Williamstown