The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-10-10
THE FAIR.

matter Of history. The weather,
which is an important factor in the
success of the undertaking, was per-
fect this year. Three beautiful fall
days fell to the society, and contri-
buted much to the success and COM
fort of the occasion. The attendance
was not quite up to last year, the
raise in the price Of admission having
some effect.
Wednesday was, as usual, the big
day in point of attendance. The
trains were crowded from the north
and south, and teams and automo-
biles came from every direction. The
big grandstand was full by the time
the stage performance began, and all
over the grounds there was swarm
of people. It was Wednesday that
the pickpoekets got in their work and
won out expenses. Judging from re-
ports, there must have been quite a
number of this class of thieves pres
ent, as a number of cases are known
of losses, and there are probably
The midway was as usual a busy
and attractive part of the show. 1t
was given up this year largely to the
eating and drinking privileges, cane
racks and baseball alleys. The variety
entertainments, which have been a
feature in former years, have gradual
ly become eliminated to large de-
gree. This class of entertainment
cannot compare with the high class
vaudeville provided by the association.
The merry o-round was in its accus-
toned place, and as usual did good
business. The balloon, which al
ways proves interesting even if it is
an old attraction, was feature this
year. Tuesday the operator made a
very pretty double parachute drop.
Wednesday the balloon escaped in some
way and went up without the oper-
ator. 1t was reflled and later in the
afternoon went up in the usual way.
The platform show this year in
cluded several thrillers. The most
daring act was that of Helquist broth
ers, the high divers. This act is
great favorite with temperance ad-
vocates, as the tank to which the men
dive from the dizzy height is filled
with pure cold water. The high.
dive in itself is daring feat, but a
new element is added by the addition
of fire. With his suit blazing with
gasoline, one of the men dives into
the tank, which has also been fired by
igniting gasoline on the surface of
the water. It is an uncanny spectacle.
The Helquist boys get a big salary
for performing this act, but they NAV.
as well spend 1t as they go along, as
the necessity for laying up something
Bros. took charge of this act the first
day. Instead of diving, they backed
the watering cart into the tank. The
driver fell of the water wagon with
dull thud. The pole broke or the
horses would have been hoisted into
the air at an angle of As degrees.
When the dust cleared this water
wagon was nicely placed in the center
of the tank, upright, like boiler to
q portable engine.
The act as performed by Gary Bros.
made hit with the crowd, and there
are a number who would like to gee
it repeated next year. Calvert, the
high wire man, is another for whom
ia floral wreath will some day be
bought. He does all kinds of stunts
on the narrow strand that is all there
is between him and an extremely earn
est bump. A lady from CRANKY,
Mass, who came down and saw Cal
vert perform, said that he was a
"careless critter.'' The Japs pleased
the people with their wonderful work,
and the Imacarte sisters on the slack
wire made graceful appearance in a
very difficult act. The other mem.
bers on the vaudeville program proved
pleasing.
The hall exhibits were up to the
usual standard. There was an abun-
dance of fruit and vegetables in the
hall reserved for that purpose. The
largest exhibitors in that line were
the Connecticut Agricultural college
and Edwin Baker of Vernon Center.
The premium list will give an idea
Of the extent and excellence of these
exhibits. The poultry hall was we'll
filled, there being over 400 birds
entered. To those who admire fine
poultry, and the number is large.
this department is brim full of in
terest. Poultry fanciers would be
hard to suit if the display of this year
failed to please them.
There was about the usual showing
of fancy work. A valuable center
piece owned by Mrs. F. G.. Sanford
was stolen. A man walked in with
his hat off, as if he belonged there,
and deliberately forced the lock and
took the centerpiece. The ladies like
to have their exhibits appreciated,
and the man certainly paid Mrs. San
ford compliment. The large COL
lection of butterflies shown by Alfred
SCOTT attracted much favorable notice,
as did the antique articles shown by
Mrs. Joseph Ferry. Among the local
merchants who had attractive exhibits
at the fair may be mentioned Fl. Chap
man g Co., Anthony Adams, O. P.
Hodgson, VIM. Smith, III. M. Craw-
ford and Miss Wilton.
There was a good showing of cattle
and horses in the various departments,
and the premium list gives the best
exhibitors in these departments.
One of the features of the third day
was the high school relay race be-
tween teams representing Enfield,
Rockville and Stafford Springs. The
makeup of the teams was: Rock
vile, 81. f. Loomjs, L. e. Arnold, l..