HomeMy WebLinkAbout388"Article copied from the Whitby Chronicle, Friday, October 19, 1883.
SOME WORDS ABOUT THE ""SMALL BOY"" OF THE VILLAGE - PICKERING FAIR -
A LEADING EXHIBITION.
(Special correspondence of the Chronicle.)
Brougham, Oct. 18, 1883: I was duly delivered here, per ""Scott's Express,"" Monday noon,
and did ample justice to a substantial dinner provided by mine host Mr. Poucher. None of your
city wrinkles with half a dozen little dishes surrounding your plate, containing a spoonful each of
as many bewilderments, but a good old-fashioned square meal is what Mr. Poucher furnishes,
with the help of his better half and kind attendants.
Dinner over, I took a general survey of the neighborhood and made various calls on the
inhabitants with my port folio under my arm. I have reason to believe that the Pickering tax
collector is a decent sort of a man and rather good-looking, because in six cases out of ten I
was taken for his Highness and was never kicked out.
Tuesday, made several professional calls, and found my way to the ""Agricultural Hall,""
where all was hustle and excitement in putting things in order for the annual Pickering fair.
I noticed that the ""small boy"" of this neighborhood is about as equally vicious and demoralized
as his brethren of the Town of Whitby, as evidenced by the broken windows,
and unsightly attempts at carving and lineal drawing, on the doors and walls of the Hall,
and other empty buildings and on the fences. This is a public nuisance almost everywhere,
which the authorities (especially the home authorities) should try and put severely down.
I entered the Hall and inspected the exhibits. The whole affair was exceedingly creditable.
I especially noticed the fine display of Blankets, Sheetings, Yarns, Tweeds, Full-cloths and other
goods of Messrs. Waterhouse & Tarlin of the Altona Woolen-mills. The prize list will show how
successful they have been. I noticed also an exhibit of Boots and Shoes and other articles in that
line, made by N. J. Daley of Stouffville who carried off several prizes. Mr. Wm. Fleming of
Markham showed an exceedingly fine organ, made by ""the Dominion Organ Co."" which both
for appearance of instrument and purity of tone richly merits the prize awarded it.
Our own Mr. A. A. Barret, King of Photographers, it is hardly necessary to say gained the red
ticket, and some of our Whitby young ladies did great credit to themselves and the Town by
carrying off a number of prizes on quilts and fancy work of various kinds, of which there was a
fine display.
In the ornamental department the entries were numerous and excellent, and well deserved
the attention they received. There was a fine variety of canned and preserved fruits, jellies,
wines, pickles, honey, &c, and some excellent samples of wheat, barley, peas,
and other grains, and a fine show of butter.
Mr. Musgrove of Brougham showed a novelty in Agricultural Implements consisting of a Turnip
Raiser brought out by Mr. Miller from Scotland, also a set of Turnip Harrows.
Mr. Somerville of Brooklin showed two 'Champion' Seed Drills manufactured by Coulthard &
Scott of Oshawa, and Messrs. Fleury & Son of Markham, through Mr. Mathews of Brougham
showed a very fine Turnip slicer and a Strawcutter. There were also some Dairy exhibits
deserving special attention. I got crowded up by a crowd of ladies seeking shelter from a
threatening rain storm, and although in my desperation I opened my bosom and displayed the
white badge with the word ""Press"" in plain, distinct letters, the only effect was that they
pressed me all the closer, doubtless putting a wrong interpretation on my act of self-defence.
So much for Pickering's big Fair. In other letters it will be my pleasure to tell you of other
attractive features of this important and thriving township.
TRAVELLER.
Whitby Chronicle Friday, Oct. 19, 1883
Reprinter: J.D. O'Brien
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