Trail of History
Trail of History Week of April 10, 2008
Apr 11, 2008 - 3:02:07 PM

    This article originally appeared in the Lewisburg Chronicle, October 11, 1877.

    Taking in all and all and striking an average, it is the generally expressed opinion that this stood high on the roll of success and interest among the twenty-four exhibitions of this society.
    Most of the farm machinery on exhibition was made within the county, and utility and finish was surpassed by none.
    The Slifer, Walls, Shriner Mfg. Co. had a fine display, not only of reapers, drills, clover hullers, cornshellers, fodder cutters and other excellent devices of value to the farming community, but the display of parlor and kitchen stoves and stove furniture was exceptionally fine. No use going abroad for a good handsome or economical stove as long as these can be obtained.
    James S. Marsh had samples of most of his machinery of the same character, but of different patterns. One, Marsh No. 4 reaper, attracted especial attention on account of its beautiful finish. It was painted pure white, ornamented with lines of a most appropriate shade. His new corn sheller, also, had but little rest —everybody wanting to give it a turn.
    B.F. Mohr of Mifflinburg  exhibited a piece of machinery that seems to point to a revolution in road vehicles. This was a steam road locomotive. It was brought to the fairground by the steam power hidden within its own prosaic bosom, at a satisfactorily rapid speed, climbing hills, turning curves, crossing bridges, etc., with as much nonchalance as though drawn by a span of good horses. This thing deserves to be carefully fostered. It is also arranged for all the purposes of a portable engine.
    Elam Meixell, James Lepley and others had new gates which attracted the attention of farmers.
    The list of awards will give the names of other parties with the character of their various devices.
    As this is the off year for fruit, the magnificent display in this line was a surprise to most people. Some as fine apples, pears, grapes, etc. as we ever saw were there, although not in so great an abundance as at previous   exhibitions when the season for fruit was more favorable.
    There were hundreds of articles worthy of note that we should like to speak of but cannot do so and must pass them over, but there are some that deserve special mention in consequence of their novelty or usefulness.
    In this case, Mrs. S.C. Ecclestons’s case of fancy work executed by the pupils of her Kindergarten school. The neat trinkets, so varied and tasteful, made by tender little fingers eight years old and under, astonished the owners of hundreds of horny hands capable of deeds of more power and practical utility, but altogether unable to cope with them in the manufacture of such delicate articles.
    The work exhibited by Mrs. F.O. Whitman’s little scholars, was also greatly admired. Pupils under ten years of age had drawings of fruit, outdoor scenery, etc., that not one out of every hundred adult beholders could have copied anything like as well.
    W.W. Wolfe, T. Frank Russell, and Koch & Strouse had canopies fitted up wherein to display samples of the goods on sale at their different stores. It is needless to say that they were all fitted up with great taste, and added much to the adornment of the second story of the main building.
    A man by the name of Faux, from Wilkes-Barre, ran a race to which none need object. As a pedestrian, he has no rival to our knowledge unless it be Weston. He walked twice around the course (one mile) in the remarkabley brief period of seven minutes and four seconds. This was at the rate of more than eight miles per hour.
    The cattle, sheep and swine display compared well with other exhibitions in prosperous times. Those raised within the limits of the society, and entitled to premiums, are properly noticed in the list. Outside of this, however, and worthy of a passing observation was the blooded stock brought from Trumbull Co., Ohio, by Messrs. Ritter and Rangler. This consisted of five or six animals of rare merit, large size and handsome outline.
    Horses, home and foreign, were numerous, handsome and valuable. ‘The judges have taken care of them, as will appear in the list.
    The address of William C. Lawson, Esq., was highly spoken of by those who listened to it. But the prophet Jeremiah could not hold an audience at a county fair, and few there were who paid much attention to it.
    Our Baptist friends netted about $100 at their boarding house
    Pursel, the flying horse man, operated his “fiery steeds” with the steam engine which originally ran the machinery in the defunct shoe factory.
    The excursion train did good service and was a great advantage to the fair Thursday, which was to have been the principal day, being extremely stormy, the delegation from Centre County was somewhat light; but Friday did better; and, in consequence of the aforesaid storm, the fair was concluded on Saturday when they also did well.
    These Centre County friends are entitled to the thanks of the society for their patronage and presence.
    In consequence of the accident noticed below, and the almost constant liability to repetitions of it, would it not be well for the society to throw a strong bridge over the track at the main crossing, with side rails, and compel people to use it in crossing?
    This might be done without very great cost, and it would prove a measure of great safety and importance. As it is now, men, women and children are almost constantly seen “shinning it” across during the continuance of the fair, in danger of being knocked down by passing horses.
    The ground was studded as usual with side shows, peanut and candy stands, etc., but we do not know that any regular gambling was done or whisky sold.
    The receipts were very satisfactory — enough to pay all the expenses. The total amount paid for premiums as per published list, and added up by a neighbor, $427.74.
    The only accident occurred was on Saturday p.m. Mr. John Miller of this place, was at the county fair and in attempting to cross the race course was struck by a horse and buggy and pretty badly injured.
    Mr. Miller had been a sufferer from a cancer above one eye for a number of years. He has lost the sight of one eye and that of the other is nearly gone. It is said he asked parties standing by before he attempted to cross the track whether any teams were coming and the answer there were none. Mr. Miller had a special desire to go to the fair as he has felt that he cannot long survive his suffering and thought that this might be his last he would be able to visit. We are glad to state that his injuries were not of a serious nature, and that he is recovering satisfactorily.

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