The Press., 1915-10-20
The Fair.

society is now matter Of history.
 It was glittering success, both from , a financial point of view and in the
 matter of satisfied patrons. The
 weather, the most important factor
 in the proposition, was perfect. Three beautiful full days, with just enough
 tang in the atmosphere to make an
 out-door program attractive, were
 drawn by the local management. In no respect was the effect of the ) weather more appreciably shown than
 in the number of automobiles driven
 here for the event For the three days there were over 400 machines
 to enter the big gate besides a large
 number packed acr S the way. Wher-
 ever you looked there were machines galore, and the sight was good
 feature in itself
 Tuesday, Columbus day, the big crowd was from out-of town The
 local industries being in operation , prevented the townspeople from at- tending in large numbers. Being
 legal holiday it was possible for the
 city people to get here, and they
 came in fiocks from Hartford and
 Springfield as we'll as from places
 farther away. Every seat in the big
 grandstand was sold and all parts of
 the grounds showed groups of spec. tators. The picture from the grand stand was worthy of an artist. Deco rations with flags and bunting had transformed the judges stand and platform to a gala appearance. The inner circle with its diversity of I animated and inanimate spectacles | was a study in itself, and beyond the hills in their vivid autumn coloring, | kissed by the golden sunlight of perfect fall day, formed magnificent background. The grounds never pre- scented more attractive appearance. The new iron fence and the cement wall, the new addition to the grand stand, the perfect track all helped in the finished appearance.
 Wednesday, the second day, again showed cloudless sky, and again the crowd responded. Swelled by the local folks the second day was fully up to the first in the matter of at tendance, and again the big grand wished to buy seats. Thursday, the last day, was the small day in the matter of people, but there were more present than usual on the off day. Those who remained until late in the afternoon of the third day were treated to sensational spectacle not on the program. In the third heat of the 2.20 trot the driver of Dorothy Gay, owned by Frank D. Whitcomb, the we'll known cigar manufacturer of Springfield, was thrown near the first turn. The reins wound into the wheel of the sulky in such way as to hold her to her course. Amid much excitement the mare went | around twice with the other horses | and then continued three times more l for good measure. It was one of the ! prettiest sights ever seen on the local tract. She would come down the | stretch like an arrow, slow up little | on the way around and again dash | through the stretch in perfect form. | Inatfectual attempts were made to stop | her each time around until the fifth | when the pace was beginning to tell, she slowed down enough to be cap tured. MT. Whitcomb watched the exhibition from the plateau in front of the racing stables. He took it philosophically, remarking on the fourth time around, "She may not be trotter. but she is some road horse. ''
 Through no fault cf the manage ment two of the free spec ial acts booked did not show. Nervo, the high diver, was hurt at Rock ingham, and Nels Nelson, the aviator, follow ing the example of the other birds, flew south. There was enough left to give the people we'll rounded stage show, and as usual this branch of the show was we'll received. Al. freno, the high wire artist, the man who walked across Niagara Falls in 1883 on single wire, was one of the favorites. Santey Bros., in two large revolving hoops gave thrilling act. Swartz Bros, the boxing midgets, were lively pair of boys. The Menard sisters in their acrobatic work | gave a wonderful exhibition. Romeo and Juliette gave good trapeze act. There were a couple of dancing acts that were we'll received Hampton with his trained goose and other pets, and Hurricane, the Jrotting ostrich, gave pleasing yarietyato the program. John W. Donovan of New York acted as announcer and added | much to the program by singing at intervals. F. H. Baker, who has had charge of this branch of the entertainment for the past two years, has put much hard work into the selection of acts, using the same acumen~ that has made him success ful in his own line of work. Dis appointed in his aviator, MT. Baker secured balloon, and one of the most | sensational ascensions ever witnessed | on the local grounds was made Tues day when Lawrence Davis of Boston made safe triple parachute drop. The exhibitions in the hall were excellent. The entries of fancy | articles were. so large that. it was not possible to exhibit them all to good advantage. The farm products | were the best that the society has oe ton received the first prize for best collection of different varieties. Ed win Baker of Rockville 2d, and L. E. Dimook of Stafford 3d. MT. Dimock s | exhibition was the largest, but the |