Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-07
OPENING DAY OF COUNTY FAIR
Weather and Crowds Favored the Agricultural Society, from Eight 10 Ten Thousand Being the Crounds Displays in the Different Departments thrilling Ride for Life-Horse Racing with New Record for Green Horses.
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The New London County Agricultur- al society was favored Monday with weathsr which could not have been better had it been ordered for the 55th annual fair and cattle show of the orr ganization, with the result that the grounds were filled with thousands of people from all parts of the county Norwich, of course, turned out heavy the labor unions uniting with the fair and thereby their interests were cen tered in the Fair Ground instead of holding separate gathering else- where. It is estimated that there were between 5000 and 10000 on the grounds, a large crowd for the opening day. The weather and the crowd combined to tickle the society officials. who were busy seeing that everything went off properly and that everyone had a good time. Secretary Warrington was the busiest man on the grounds, quite in contrast to a year ago, when an in- jured fcot kept him .n the office.
 In every section of the grounds the opening day was the best seen, for by the middle of the afternoon the cattle stalls were practically filled, the Ag11- cultural hall exhibits were nearly all in, the midway was in full operation, and, in fact, in all departments there was practically middle day display.
 Working without a switch or loop at tAAC T AAA NIlOullQ> CIAQ, UT dl1 0Ne1llltiSC~ ous one half way to the city, the elec- tric road accommodated the crowd the best possible. Cars were run on quarter hour schedule, and particularly during the afternoon did they carry all they would hold, six to eight cars running at time. From all directions did the people iJ,,ur into the grounds, coming afoot, by trolley. teams and autos-everyone looking for the sign board which read "To Norwich" It was a noticeable fact that the familiar bus was obliged to cast an eye of envy at the fast and inviting autos, in the transportation of passengers from the city to the grounds. Franklin square was busy spot as the suburban cars came in loaded with patrons bound to the fair and hustling for a seat in making the change.
 The ticket sellers and takers were busy all day, the additional gate for teams and autos being kept open con- stantly to accommodate all who would pass, while the other two entrances were not large enough for the crowd and many had to use the horse gate.
 About the Grounds.
 A trip about the grounds showed the various departments in the activity of getting settled for the three days. The cattle stalls found sleek and attractive cattle of the several popular breeds as raised in this vicinity. There is a large list this year, and this department is one of the features of the fair.
 In Agricultural hall the merchants have their wares arranged for display, and there is a good sized exhibit of farm produce. flowers, pastry, fancy articles and dairy products.
 Tn the midway the wild west show takes up big space of the ground, while thers are several gypsy fortune telling tents, tintype galleries, lunch counters, and some wheels of fortune where someone is bound to win. The merry-go- round is changed this year, being nearer the roadway through the grounds, while the games of chance, in which double up and say good by to your money feature used predominate, are missing. About the stables there was a steady crowd of admirers, as there is a large display of clever stock there with marks from 2.06 to 2.40.
 Not a small part of the crowd finds great pleasure in looking through the poultry house, where there is an un- u..ually large display, with many pig cons and pet stock. This large room was crowded the entire day with rais- CTS and fanciers who came to admire and study.
 In the dog room there was also big share of attention given, as some handsome dogs were shown.
 There was the usual visiting of friends who meet at least once year, this time being particularly convenient for such meetings.
 The grounds are well policed there being squad there from the local po- lice force, in addition to the marshals and other ground officials. There was little or no trouble and what there was quickly ended.
 Horse Racing.
 As soon as Tubbs' band began to play in the afternoon attention was quickly directed to the race track, where two races were scheduled, be- sides the stage attraction and the dare devil bicycle ride.
 The first two heats went off very slow, much scoring being required. owing to the mistakes and the crowd which surged on to the track and was allowed to remain most of the after noon. Starter O'Brien exasperated the crowd when in the first heat he gave the word. only TO recall the horses by ringing the bell directly afterwards. This was tho force of habit from the repeated scoring, but he had hardly recovered from that embarrassment when he repeated it. This got the nerve of one of the stablemen standing on the track, and he spoke to the starter and someone then addressed the stableman uncomplimentary, which he -esentsd. He singled out a fellow he thought the one, and landed a heavy left on the young mans nose, which bled profusely Policeman Perry bent a crab with the assailant and soon had him spread out on the track, begging for mercy. He didn't profit from the lesson however, a she soon got into trouble again, and he was then told not to come back on the track again. and he disappeared, to the delight of the crowd, who urged his being locked up.
 The falling of man at the first turn in the track then attracted attention for a few minutes, but it didn't last long, although another feature not on the programme, the running away of the pair of horses on the drag, kept up the excitement.
 When the first heat of the 2.40 finally got the word Lula Hunt, with a mark of 21S 1-4 made last Thursday at Windsor, and raced under protest.soon took the lead and held h throughout. making in the first heat new record of 2.20 for new trotters on this track, which had previously been held by Young Chimes. Bonnie Bairn pushed her for two heats. but dropped back in the third. Star Tucker by a fast f1n- ish in the third finished second and got third money.
 In the free for all the first heat was the fastest. Casease led for over a half mile, but Coiner then took the pole and kept it, doing 1t in 216 3-4