Smyrna times., 1931-07-29
FLAMES MENACE FINE RACE
HORSES At KENT SUSSEX FAIR
TAKE ANIMALS FROM STAB
LES AS BUILDING BURNS
Fire Was Caused BY Explosions of
OilstOye in Restaurant Result
ing in a $500 Property Loss

Harrington firemen last Sunday
morning had their first call in
three months when fire broke out
in a small restaurant on the Kent
and Sussex Fair Grounds. The
flames were extinguished with a
loss of about $500 The flames
threatened large stable nearby
where number of fine race horses
were housed but the horses were
gotten out and taken to a place of
safety to guard against the build
ing catching fire. The firemen
managed to keep the flames con-
fined to the small restaurant build
ing despite the fact that there is
no water supply on the grounds.
The firemen fought the flames
with tanks on the apparatus until
water wagons We're put into ser
vice. The small restaurant was
operated by George L. Brown, a
former county official, and Henry
Cahill. Mr. Brown had lighted an
oil stove when the stove exploded.
Mr.. Brown was severely, but not
dangerously burned Jack It'd
lick, a fireman, had his foot slight
ly injured when 8 heavy hose coup
ling fell upon it. President P I
Shaw and VIce-PreSident Vaughan
Moore. Of the Fair Association.
were on the grounds early and as
sisted IN directing the f1remen- As
soon as the fire was extilglEISheG
3 force Of men was put 70 work e
moving the debris and In short
time little trace remained Of the
fire ruins The fire VIII N no way
interfere with the fair and il vii
go On according 10 schedule The
los 10 the restaurant owners was
given as 200. partly insured and
the balance Of the $500 loss wzs Oh
the burned building which i also
partly insured. The IRE, coming
% close 10 the opening OF the fair,
caused considerable excitement and
hundreds Of persons crowded about
the fair grounds and watched the
flremen fight the blaze
Fair al Harrington Yesterday
Despite the little or no handicap,
the Kent-Sussex Fair opened yes
terday Tuesday, and viii con
tinue until Saturday II is expect
ed that the exhibition this year
viii be the largest yet held by the
association A number of special
events viii be on the program.
Premiums to the amount of $500
will be awarded. Yesterday, the
opening day, was Children's Day,
when all chii55l en- under 10 years of
age were admitted to the grounds
free. To-day, Wednesday,, is
"Everybody's Day" featuring a
big free-for-all race, Wild West
rodeo, etc. Tomorrow Thursday
will be Governors Day, when it is
expected politicians from all over
the State will gather. Governor
Buck will spend the day at the
fair. Three big races and the cat
tie parade will be features. Ar
rangements are being made to ac-
commodate $4,000 persons on that
day. At night boxing show, not
connected with the fair, will be
held in the Arena near the fair
grounds. "a Ford sedan will be
given away on Friday, in addition
to the other attractions. There
will be thirteen races on the speed
card. and the liberal conditions at
Harrington have attracted horse
men who race under the National
Trotting Association rules. The
purses are S400 each, with the ex-
ception of the races for two-year-
olds. in which $500 purses are
hung up. All races, and they will
be in the 2.18 pace; PA trot and
other classes, will be on the three
heat-a race plan. The Fair Asso-
citation reserves all rights. Any
horse can start when eligible. All
horses must be named at the
Judges stand by p. m, on the
day preceding the race in which
they are to start All horses must
parade before each race.