The Press., 1904-10-12
THE FAIR.

E6dE WIS Akl bii6b COuAO 10 oShOu AOA
Tuesday things were in chaotic state
at the grounds and the attendance was
small. Wednesday was a perfect fall
day and the people arrived in swarms.
The regular trains were loaded with
arrivals, and heavy specials from the
north and south added hundreds to
the animated mass of humanity con-
passing to the grounds. The
crowd Wednesday was estimated at
II, 900 people. These figures are
probably high, but there were a lot of
people present. The grand stand was
filed to it's full capacity, the halls
were crowded and the grounds were
alive with people. Early in the day,
before the platform show commenced,
the midway was almost impossible,
and the venders were doing an active
business in all kinds of things, both
useful and ornamental. The midway
this year did not offer much in the
theatrical line. The fascinating"
females who line up in front of the
tent while the manager of the outfit
beats the drum were not in evidence.
With the exception of a snake
charmer or two and fortune teller,
the fair sex was not represented. The
platform show presented by the asso-
citation is so much superior to the
events offered on the mid
way that it no longer pays to bring
the latter to Stafford. OF eating
pavilions there was a suficiency, and
the cider man was there with the
goods. There were about the usual
of games, all supposed to be
harmless. The talent have a way of
hiring space for watch or cigar
game, and then when the proper time
comes they change it to no-limit.
no. chance contest which is very pain
full to participants. The leading at
of the. platform show this
year was Ora Cecil and her leopards.
The leopards were just as cross as
they could be, and it was no place
for Ora in there with them. Only
the previous week one of the big cats
bit her arm so badly that she has not
been able to use it since, and she was
obliged to put them through their
tricks here with only one hand free,
as the other arm was bandaged and
useless. Unless appearances are very
1eceitful there will come day when
Ora will have .an unpleasant five
with her pets. William
Hill, the high wire performer, ap-
peared the last two days, and his act
s thrilling enough to suit the sensa.
ion seekers. High in the air, and
On a narrow cable, he shifted his
and did his act with no ap-
parent emotion. 1t is easy enough to
imagine that when William left home
his mother did not advise him to take
up this method of making living.
Prof. Wormwood, with his dogs,
monkeys and bears, has been here be-
fore, but his show always proves in
to many. Effie Brooklyn,
whom the announcer christened the
petite" ballad singer, was all right
as q spectacle, but it is doubtful if
many heard her sing, owing to the
din and noise. Anybody living as far
away as Westford would not be justi-
fed in coming the distance to see the
boxing team, if that was the only
offered. Their act lacks
that subtle refinement which is SO
gratifying when coupled with rare
physical charms. Wallace, the man.
eating lion, was in good form. He
roared and growled so loud that his
voice was audible in all parts of the
ground. There were two styles of
;rapeze performers, and both possessed
merit. The two men who did the
performed some very diff
,ult feats. The part of their act
where they made hoop of themselves
md rolled off the. two tables, then
'olling back the same way, was es-
difficult, and won much ap-
clause. Ben Dodge of Providence, the
announcer, was in charge
# the platform show again this year,
md the many friends he has made on
,revious occasions were glad to see
linn again.
The hall displays this year were up
o the usual standard. The Banner
took farm had large and complete
xhibit in agricultural hall, and there
we're many other meritorious displays
f fruit and vegetables. The hall
Ievoted to the display of fancy work
nd merchandise was we'll filed. The
'remium list, which is published
his week, gives a comprehensive
dea of the various exhibits. The
of cattle and horses brought
ut some fine animals, and the poultry
how was a very interesting feature
or many.
The list of trotting entries was not
s large this year as on former oc-
asions. but there we're enough horses
o make some exciting sport. The
J. 10 class the last day proved the
most interesting, as the winner,
Henry N, is we'll known locally, and
le was driven by Dana Gary. It was
great race and the Monson horse
von out in five heats. The running
ace also proved popular, and a feature
# novelty was added by the partici
,ation of a woman. Levi D. Gary
managed this event with the wisdom
,orn of much experience. While the
aces are under consideration the run
ling dogs must not be forgotten, as
his feature proved interesting, es-
to the children. The sum-
naries of the racing events follow -
TUESDAY. OCTOBER. 4TH.
240 Class-PurSe $500.
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'an0rama (Hay q LinZey), as q
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