1883 Cortland County Fair

Charles L. Knapp, "orator of the occasion."

The Cortland News, Friday, September 21, 1883.

The County Fair.

   Owing to the prevailing disagreeable weather on Thursday and Friday, the Fair was continued on Saturday, the races being held on the afternoon of that day. Had the weather been as pleasant during the week as it was on Saturday, the crowd in attendance would have been immense, and the receipts the heaviest ever known. As it was, thousands of people were present on Friday, and a goodly number on Saturday. We are glad to be able to state that the Fair, notwithstanding the numerous drawbacks, was a success in every respect, over $300 being added to the treasury. This was of course owing to the excellent management of the officers, who evinced great tact, skill and intelligence, and labored as officers never before have labored to please the people, and at the same time make it pay. Much of the credit is due to the ladies, who took an unusual interest, as the large number of exhibits of their handiwork shows.

   The principal attraction was Floral Hall, which, as we said last week, was an unwonted scene of beauty. We give brief mention of the principal exhibits.

   For the first time in many years the space at the Floral Hall was all taken; in fact, more was wanted. Several buggies, phaetons and democrat wagons made by the celebrated Cortland Wagon Company, were splendid specimens of the vehicles issued from their factory.

   H. F. Benton, by the mouldings, doors, blinds, etc., showed what fine machinery he possesses for the manufacture of such articles.

   A ten-foot pagoda, painted in different colors, from the well-known Harrison Bros.' manufactory, stood in the inclosure formed by the show cases of Sager & Jennings, druggists, which were filled with some of their beautiful fancy toilet materials, perfumes, brushes, etc., while interspersed among them were pyramids of flashing crystals of white and blue. The whole was a notable exhibit.

   No more cosy, inviting or tastefully arranged alcove or bower ever sprang into existence than that made by Mager & Walrad of carpets—of Brussels, tapestry, ingrain, etc., mats, rugs, spreads, beautiful in design, and all so attractive, generally speaking, that it presented a strong temptation to ye reporter to take possession and stay there.

   Mrs. C. H. Cook & Co. are certainly skillful workers in human hair, and the lovely tresses, curls, braids, and the other kinds of head-gear for the fairer portion of creation drew the admiring glances even of those who had no need to wear them.

   In watches, clocks, jewelry, silverware, and the other knick-knacks known to a first-class establishment, C. F. Baldwin & Co. were there exhibiting these articles in profusion and in a way that "took the cake."

   I. Whiteson's display of gents' clothing and furnishing goods embraced the rich, stylish and substantial, in the styles and fashions now in vogue, and made up in a tasteful way that showed skill and pride in the goods composing the exhibit.

   That which brought much admiration from the throng of people was the attractiveness belonging to the show of boots, shoes, etc., made by W. H. Tuttle. It embraced goods from the best manufacturers, whose reputation as such has been obtained by persistent efforts to place on the market the best of goods made in the most reliable manner. And what was peculiar about Mr. Tuttle's exhibit was the fact that the same kind of articles can be found in his store at any time. Those elegant boots and shoes were taken from his stock of goods.

   Mrs. B. R. Carpenter's booth of millinery goods was a scene of beauty and loveliness rarely equaled, and was constantly thronged with ladies, over whose heads the reporter was obliged to look in order to obtain a view of the pretty things. Mrs. C. is certainly an artist in her way.

   Tanner Bros. won much favorable comment for the taste and skill manifested in the arrangement of their exhibit, embracing as it did so great a variety of dry goods and fancy articles. Squires & Co. had a large exhibit of canned fruits and other groceries, and on a range set up for the purpose baked good biscuit using “Golden Rule" flour and "Tip-top" baking powder.

   A. Frost was there as usual with a large display of plants and flowers, while M. F. Cleary and M. Lathrop closely followed suit.

   The kind of season seems to make no difference with L. D. C. Hopkins, as he is always on hand at the County Fair with such large, fine vegetables and other garden products as are not excelled anywhere.

   E. M. Reid & Co.'s exhibit of gents' ready-made clothing, furnishing goods, etc., as well as cloth for manufacturing into garments, was a large one, and was proof that this firm can supply all tastes and needs.

   The Monitor oil stove exhibited by Mr. J. D. Price seems to be able to answer all demands upon it in the way of cooking or heating. Our readers should investigate it for themselves.

   Smith & Cloyes had that which maketh the heart of woman glad—well-made brooms.

   J. A. Gilkerson, of Homer, exhibited one of the most compact, strongly-built steam pumps, made by himself, which afforded strong proof of his skill and ingenuity as a machinist.

   F. G. Graham has excellent reason to pride himself on his ability to make horse-shoes, for his case of highly polished step shoes would gladden the eyes of a horse.

   We doubt that any county fair in this section ever before witnessed so large and elegant en exhibit of furniture, in such great variety, as was furnished on the first floor of the Hall by R. Beard & Son. There was the easy sewing-chair, the beautifully and richly upholstered rocking-chair, with the new style of rocker [and] large arm-chair, so suggestive of comfort; work and toilet stands, bureaus, tete-a tetes, chamber sets, etc. Some of these articles were of costly woods, carved and polished in the highest degree, upholstered in reps, silks, plushes, satins, and so rich and tasteful in design and finish as to make the display always the centre of an admiring crowd.

   The display of apples was quite inferior, but of pears, grapes and plums was in some respects superior, while that of vegetables, though perhaps not so large as at times heretofore, certainly never knew a finer or of choicer kinds.

   The poultry part of the Fair was decidedly at a low ebb, only a few cases present, but these contained some as fine birds as have ever been exhibited.

   C. W. Collins fairly outdid himself in the large exhibit he made of silver and glass ware, crockery, lamps and household goods. All of the east end of the hall on the second floor was occupied by his wares, enough to stock a good-sized store.

   Brown & Maybury's cases of fine toilet articles and polished surgical instruments received much attention.

   A. R. & Jay Peck and Jay & Smith showed generous collections of boots, shoes, slippers, etc; and Sherwood Bros., of crockery and silver-plated ware; Edgcomb & Ballard, elegant furniture of various kinds; Ithaca Organ Company, pianos and organs; Mr. Mee, several Singer sewing machines, one of which was run by electricity; and O. H. Wildey, of Homer, several choice photographs.

   The popular and well-known New Home sewing machine, exhibited by M. L. Decker, showed the great variety of work that it could do, one of them being, we think, the prettiest machine we ever saw. The Royal St. John was also in Mr. Decker's exhibit.

   Day & Atwood's cases of gentlemen's shirts, collars and cuffs, of their manufacture, were proof of their skill, and if more were needed, it was furnished by ladies who made shirts in the presence of the crowd which gathered to witness the operation.

   Page & Santee's cases of photographs deserve warm praise, not only for the manner in which they were presented, but especially for the skillful, correct, artistic workmanship of the portraits.

   The eastern end of the north wing of the Hall was occupied by A. Mahan's exhibit. The White was the only sewing machine presented by him, but the work done on it by Miss Campbell, of the home office, Cleveland, Ohio, consisting of embroidery, imitation of painting, and in short such beautiful work as to show its capability, was a rare sight. Mr. Mahan also had on exhibition a Chickering square grand, Hallet & Davis' upright, Palace orchestral organ by Loring & Blake, two Estey organs (church and parlor), and a Shoninger chime or bell organ. On Wednesday and Thursday, Prof. Riano, cornetist, and Prof. Barnes, pianist and organist, of Syracuse, favored the people with choice music from the inclosure, and on Friday an Italian orchestra did the same.

   In the Art department Mr. A. L. Smith had a tambourine, a placque, several panels, three landscapes; Miss Winifred Smith a fine screen mirror frame, placques, etc.; Mrs. A. H. Bennett, three landscapes; Miss Lottie Stevens, two landscapes and a figure; Mrs. C. B. Coggswell, two landscapes, a placque of azalias, the latter very finely done; Mrs. Alphornso Stone a string of fish; Mrs. John Murray, a tambourine of roses; Miss Lottie Stone, a framed placque; B. R. Carpenter, two landscapes, two of figures and two placques, all well executed.

   In the Fancy Work department the exhibit was more complete than it has been for years, reminding one of the earlier fairs, when the daughters of Cortland County vied with each other in bringing quantity, quality and variety. It is a difficult task to particularize where all were so good, but we will mention such as we deemed most worthy. There were thirteen silk bed quilts, a number of them of the crazy pattern (if it can be called a pattern), the two nicest being one by Mrs. I. R. M. Pomeroy, the other by Mrs. F. N. Harrington. It will puzzle the judges to decide which was the most crazy.

   There were many bed quilts of the calico style. We noticed two knit bedspreads by Mrs. Wm. Sherman, of Homer, a lady aged 80 years; very handsome embroidered table-spreads; well-made rag carpets; knit and leather mittens, by Miss S. Bonney; well-done hand decorated china, by Mrs. Jas. Tanner and Mrs. J. J. Murray; a beautiful table scarf of velvet transfer on wine colored velvet, by Mrs. B. A. Benedict; a table scarf of Kensington stitch, by Miss Mary J. Coye; several afghans, one by Mrs. Wm. Sanders, one by Miss Emma Dresser, two by Mrs. A. Schermerhorn; a finely worked embroidered tambourine, by Miss Maggie Force; knit linen lace, by Mrs. M. D. Murphy; quantities of outline embroidery, one piece especially nice, by Mrs. S. Ballard; an endless variety of lovely tidies; several handsome sofa pillows; a rug by an old lady over 80 years; Mrs. P. F. Bell, 74 years old, two silk quilts, a waste basket and sofa pillow.

   In the bicycle race on Tuesday W. Webber, of Cazenovia, was first, H. Gray, second, and G. Tisdale, third. In the trotting race, Belvidere Prince was first, Little Pet 2d, Gold Leaf 3d, Bay George 4th. On Wednesday in the 2:35 race, Susy M. 1st, Lulu P. 2d, Lady Seeley 3d. In the running race, Glenwood was 1st, Jenny Wren 2d, Kittie 3d.

   Thursday the marriage ceremony between Mr. Wm. Bort and Miss Carrie Smith, of Cincinnatus, was performed by Rev. J. L. Robertson, and thereby they became the possessors of the Happy Thought range, and besides several other presents. The dressing case for the handsomest baby was given to the six-months'-old daughter of Mrs. James Kane over four competitors.

   Friday afternoon the people gathered in large numbers in the space east of Floral Hall to listen to the address by the orator of the occasion, Chas. L. Knapp, Esq., of Lowville, N. Y. From what we had read and heard of Mr. Knapp, we expected a rare literary treat, but the "half had not been told us." It was apt, scholarly, happily illustrated with anecdotes, full of unanswerable facts, glowing in its choice language, and so eloquently delivered as to command not only the closest attention but the rapt admiration of his hearers, who one and all united in expressions of warmest approval. It was indeed a superior address, a model of its kind, and Charles L. Knapp may take to himself the proud consciousness that Cortland's meed of commendation is full to the brim, and that her opinion of his brilliant address requires emphatic terms of praise for expression.

   The annual parade of the Cortland Fire Department followed, the companies forming in the following order and marching twice around the track: Chief Engineer, Board of Engineers, Homer Cornet Band, Hook and Ladder Company and truck of Cortland, Orris Hose Company, Emerald Hose Company, Water-Witch Engine Company, Steamer, Orient Hook and Ladder Company and truck of Homer.

   The parade was a very fine one, the men appearing to the best advantage. The Hook and Ladder Company of Cortland, under command of F. Kingsbury, gave a prize drill of twenty minutes, which drew forth rounds of applause from the thousands of spectators. In the hose race, the Emeralds ran the 80 rods, laid 150 feet of hose, coupled and broke coupling, and connected pipe in 1 min. 20 1/2 sec. Torrent Hose of Homer did the same feat in 1 min. 31 sec. In the hook and ladder race, the Excelsiors of Cortland ran 40 rods, raised 24-foot ladder, and man went to its top in 53 1/2 seconds, and the Orients of Homer performed the same feat in 51 1/2. It is but fair to say that the Excelsiors' truck is about 800 pounds heavier, and their ladder also is much more weighty.

   Saturday afternoon the running race was won by Kitty Dash, with Wheeler's bay gelding 2d. In the 3:00 race Belvidere Prince was 1st, Blue Bell 2d, and Walkill 3d. In the free for all, Little Wonder 1st, Daisy W. 2d,, and Lib 3d. The Normal and Emerald base ball clubs indulged in a game, the score standing 13 to 11 in favor of the former at the end of the seventh inning.

Charles L. Knapp: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_L._Knapp