Staunton Spectator

The Augusta County Fair was held last week in accordance with the announcement previously published. The time was fixed before the great freshet occurred which did so much damage to bridges, roads, farms, &c. Such was the destruction that most persons came to the conclusion that it would be unwise to attempt to hold the Fair at the time appointed, for they believed it would result in a mortifying failure. The farmers, generally, supposed that the Fair would be postponed. But the President -- Col. Jno. Baldwin -- was not so easily discouraged. He never faltered; he despaired not; his decision remained unshaken; and in tones of confidence, declared his purpose to hold the Fair at the time appointed. The Fair has been held, and the result has justified the confidence so heroically entertained by its President. -- Notwithstanding the destruction of bridges -- preventing the transportation of articles for exhibition from abroad, and deterring persons, from a distance, from attempting to reach this place -- and the serious damage to county roads, rendering them almost impassable -- especially so with vehicles -- and the incalculable loss inflicted upon farmers in the destruction of crops and fencing, the Fair proved to be, both in the number of persons in attendance and the number and character of the stock and articles exhibited, all the circumstances considered, quite a surprising success, and has had the effect of inspiring increased confidence in the bosoms of those who felt any solicitude about the Fair as a permanently established institution. -- Doubts have been dissolved, and the most sanguine hopes have been confirmed. In future, each succeeding Fair -- if the circumstances be propitious -- will exceed its predecessor.

Owing to the very crowded condition of our columns this week, we will be compelled to make our notice as brief as possible, and cannot speak of the exhibition and the incidents attending it with that particularity which they deserve, and which, under other circumstances, it would afford us pleasure to do. Our remarks must be brief, they must be merely general in their character.

On Tuesday, the 1st day of the Fair, the weather was favorable, and the number of tickets sold and the number of persons in attendance were nearly equal to those on the first day of either of the preceding Fairs -- the receipts being nearly as much as on the first day of the Fair last year, and the number of persons in attendance being about three thousand. With the exception of machinery from a distance, the entries for exhibition fell but little short of those of last year, and for cattle exceeded it. -- Quite a number of horses were entered, but the exhibition of horses of quick speed was not as good as that of last year. That was the chief defect in the exhibition of this year -- though there were some pretty good trotters, pacers and rackers.

Little Eva Benedict, a child of seven Summers, with profuse flaxen ringlets, accompanied by a younger sister, in an exquisite little carriage manufactured by her father, with an air of composure and remarkable nonchalance, drove around the track a pair of beautiful matched and harnessed goats which excited the admiration of all, and intensely enthused the little boys who crowded around the miniature carriage, and made the welkin ring with their merry shouts of pleasure and wonder. To this tiny driver of this little team the committee awarded a diploma, as will be seen by reference to the list of premiums awarded.

This was the day appointed for the balloon ascension, but the wind blew such a breeze as to make it impossible to inflate the balloon sufficiently to bear the weight of the aeronaut, so that, to the disappointment of the expectant spectators, it had to be postponed till the next day.

On Wednesday, the 2nd day of the Fair, the weather was still favorable, and the number of persons in attendance was about double that of the day before -- being about six thousand. In this connection we would say that in the exhibition of persons, male and female -- but especially the latter -- we believe that we could take the premium in a world exhibition. In this respect, our exhibition of stock would be "A No. 1," and no mistake, and in our race, we would distance all competitors.

In the trotting race, the victory was won by Wm. H. Moorman's sorrel horse, "Solitude." -- Whether W. H. M. is delighted with that kind of solitude in which Pope says "heavenly pensive contemplation dwells," we know not; but he certainly is delighted with that "Solitude," which, like a good christian, "runs with swiftness the race set before him," and gloriously wins the prize of victory.

Why, upon the authority of Lord Bacon, is our friend, Wm. H. M., either a wild beast or a god? Because he is "delighted with Solitude;" for Lord Bacon says:

"Whoever is delighted with solitude, is either a wild beast or a god."

On this day -- Wednesday -- as the breeze was not so strong as on the day before, Prof. Strong succeeded in having the balloon sufficiently inflated to make the promised ascension, which -- in the absence of Miss. Lottie St. Clair, who was sick, else would have made the ascension as advertised -- he did at about 12 o'clock to the admiration of the thousands who were present and deeply interested spectators of the perilous enterprise. The balloon ascended beautifully to the height of about 800 feet, when it began to descend, which it did more and more rapidly till it landed the aeronaut on terra firma, about three hundred yards from the point of ascension. The spectators were sadly disappointed to see him come down so soon, and felt relief when they discovered that he was not much hurt by re-union with mother earth.

The failure of Senator Thurman to fill the appointment made by him, sadly disappointed many who were anxious to hear him, as his character as a man of ability and sound political views is appreciated by our people, who are ever willing to honor Northern or Western men who entertain and boldly express correct views of constitutional liberty. He is a Virginian by birth, whom Virginia would delight to honor, as his political views and sentiments are such as Virginians generally entertain.

Thursday was anticipated with great interest, especially by the young ladies and gentlemen as that was the day appointed for the Tournament, Coronation and Ball; but, horribile dictu, it commenced raining in the morning as though another freshet was in the contemplation of the clerk of the weather, and it continued to do so till noon. As a consequence, these interesting exercises and ceremonies were postponed till the next day, much to the disappointment of students from the University and Lexington, and young ladies and gentlemen from the country. Acting upon the philosophic maxim that, "what can not be cured must needs be endured," they waited with as much patience as they could summon, the arrival of the next day.

On Friday, the weather was favorable, and the Tournament took place, as per appointment made the day preceding. Twenty-four knights entered the lists as competitors for the honor of selecting and crowning the Queen of Love and Beauty, and winning the prize, (horse, saddle and bridle,) offered as the reward of success. When the Knights were drawn up in order by the Marshal, Captain Lewis Harman, he introduced to them Wm. H. Effinger, Esq., of Harrisonburg, who had been selected to deliver the charge. The address of Mr. Effinger was one of the most appropriate for such an occasion which we ever heard, and was delivered in good style. It was chaste and eloquent, and breathed a spirit of patriotism which awoke responsive chords in the hearts of all his auditors, near a thousand in number, composed of lovely ladies and brave men. It was heard with delight, and, at its conclusion, the speaker was warmly congratulated on the handsome manner in which he had performed the part assigned him.

The following is the list of the Knights:

Maryland, (Wm. Bantz); Knight of the Valley, (J. Fred Effinger); Va. Military Institute, (Alex Harman); Augusta, (S. R. Bell); Mountain Home, (L. L. Abbott); Silver Star, (Jno. A. Harman, Jr.); Fort Lewis, (Jno A. McGuffin); Last of the Mohicans, (John Francisco); Forrest, (Wm. B. Craig); Virginia, (Samuel B. Finley, Jr.); Golden Slipper, (Jos. R. Smith); Ivanhoe, (R. F. McGlamery); Red Cloud, (Thos. A. Shumate); Glenmore, (Robert Wren); Rockbridge, (H. D. Lindsey); Woodland, (Brooke Eskridge); Sky Lark, (Ed. M. Parker); Lone Star, (W. H. Dennison); Seven-foot Rebel, (H. F. Turke); Spring Hill, (Z. McChesney); Lost Hope, (J. S. Dinkle); Rolling Wave, (O. B. Roller); Kosciusko, (G. H. Edison); West Virginia, (Henry Hogshead).

The honors were won in the following order:

"Knight of the Valley," "Fort Lewis," "Augusta," "Red Cloud." The former crowned Miss Louise Sheffey, Queen of Love and Beauty, and the other three crowned, respectively, the following Maids of Honor: Miss Mary Lewis Trout, Miss Kate Smith, and Miss Martha Welsh.

The coronation ceremonies were performed in the dining room of the American Hotel. -- In the absence of the orator appointed to deliver the coronation address, that duty devolved upon Col. Jno. B. Baldwin, who delivered an appropriate and humorous impromptu address, after which the coronation took place, and the Ball commenced and continued till one o'clock in the morning. There were about one hundred who participated in the dance on this joyous occasion, and "all went merry as a marriage bell."

We doubt if there is a town in the State that can boast of a more energetic and intelligent set of merchants than our own. They are generally active, vigilant, industrious and upright in their dealings. They are keen to perceive an opportunity of extending their business and prompt to avail themselves of it. -- Such an opportunity now offers itself, and we respectfully beg to call their attention to it, that they may seize on and make the most of it.

The recent destructive freshet has seriously damaged the North River Canal, and also the James River Canal. It has likewise swept away the bridges at Lexington, at the Rockbridge Baths, and at Strickler's two miles above the Baths. Months must elapse before the Canals can be repaired and the bridges replaced. Meanwhile a large portion of Rockbridge is cut off from its most convenient means of access to market down the River to Lynchburg and Richmond, and up the River to Goshen. In the absence of the ordinary means of transportation by those routes, the next most convenient outlet to market is at Staunton. It seems to us that if a line or two of wagons were established between Lexington and Staunton a very large amount of trade might be brought to our Town. And if, as soon as the Rail Road is in fair working order, our merchants would enlarge their stocks, especially of groceries, they would be able to supply the wants of Rockbridge and establish a mutually beneficial trade with the people of that county. If the current of trade can be made to set in this direction at present, it will probably continue to flow hither for years to come. We should regard such a commercial intercourse between the people of the two countries as a great blessing not only in a business, but in a social point of view. It would not only promote the pecuniary interests of the people of both counties, but tend to dispel the miserable and contemptible jealousies, which narrow and contracted men, for selfish ends, have sought to foster. The people of Rockbridge and Augusta come of the same old Scotch-Irish stock. They are of the same race, and marked by the same characteristics. We would like to see more intercourse between them, and the relations of business and good feeling firmly established on a permanent footing.

Now is the time for our merchants to move in this matter. Let the people of Rockbridge be tempted to come to our town once, and we venture to predict they will find it to their interest to come again.

County Superintendent, Jed. Hotchkiss, Staunton.

BOARDS OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF BOARDS.

City of Staunton

Chairman of Board of Trustees, Wm. J. Nelson, Staunton. Clerk of Board of Trustees, P. Byron Hoge, H. M. Bell, Staunton.

Beverly Manor Township

Chairman of Board of Trustees, A. W. Harman, Staunton. Clerk of Board of Trustees, L.R. Waddell, Staunton; John Towberman, Mint Spring.

Middle River Township

Chairman of Board of Trustees, B. J. Craig, Mt. Meridian. Clerk of Board of Trustees, K. B. Koiner, New Hope; Wm. Wilson, Cline's Mill.

South River Township

Chairman of Board of Trustees, James M. Watson, Barterbrook. Clerk of Board of Trustees, C. H. Withrow, Waynesboro; D. W. Hanger, Fishersville.

North River Township

Chairman of Board of Trustees, Sam'l Farrer, Mossy Creek. Clerk of Board of Trustees, Elisha J. Bell, Long Glade; William H. Davies, Sangersville.

Pastures Township

Chairman of Board of Trustees, John S Guy, Deerfield. Clerk of Board of Trustees, J. Frank Heizer, Churchville; B. O Ferguson, Craigsville.

Riverheads Township

Chairman of Board of Trustees William Thompson, Swoope's Depot. Clerk of Board of Trustees, A. S. Turk, Moffett's Creek; C. G. Merritt, Greenville.

These trustees were appointed by the Board of Education, to serve one, two, and three years, respectively; and annually, hereafter, one will be appointed, in each school district to serve three years.

The Augusta Memorial Association met, pursuant to advertisement, in the Rotunda of the Augusta County Fair. Col. Jas. H. Skinner, President, in the chair.

The President briefly addressed the meeting, stating the object had in view in the organization of the Association, and earnestly urging activity on the part of its members and friends.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

A Constitution prepared by the Executive Committee was then read, and with some slight amendments adopted. [The Constitution as amended will be published in this paper at an early day. -- Ed.]

On motion adjourned subject to the future call of the President and Executive Committee.

CHAS. D. McCOY,

Sec'y of Association.

N. B. -- During the meeting an earnest appeal was made by Col. B. Christian to the Committees heretofore appointed for obtaining members and subscriptions, to be diligent in the work, and to pay over from time to time such sums as they may collect, to Capt. C. S. Arnall, Treasurer of the Association, and also to report the names of members enrolled to the Secretary for publication.