1895 Balloon Ascension At Beulah Park
Aug. 29, 1930, Grove City Record publishing an article from the Sept. 19, 1895, issue of The Grove City Blade. Researched by Darcy S. Dooley
No, No, Folks, Ye're Na' Seein' Thins!
It's just some items that were news, one time just a trip to the long ago, a ride that you will enjoy.
The Record takes pleasure, this week, in presenting some news that will cause some of its readers great pleasure, and perhaps to some there will be some items that may cause some sorrow.
These items are taken from an issue of The Grove City Blade of Sept. 19, 1895. The editor is indebted to Mr. Chas. White for finding the copy of that date for us. The paper belongs to Mr. W. H. Heinline, who graciously allowed us the privilege of having it in our possession to copy the items which you will read. Mr. Heinline cherishes this issue, for in it there is an account of the death of his brother.
The paper was published by L.E. Parsons. Many of the older readers of the Record will undoubtedly remember him.
If any of our readers have copies of some of the early papers printed in Grove City, we would be glad to see them and print some of the articles that would call to mind pleasant memories of auld lang syne.
The paper was known to the trade as a patent sheet, that is, the inside was printed in an office that furnished half of the paper printed, as it did to hundreds of other papers, making it easier for the country editor to keep goin'. One of the features of this ready print was the sermon by Rev. T. DeWitt Talmadge, one of the great preachers of the last century. The balance of the patent was given over to general news and patent medicine ads.
All Ready! Let 'er Go!
Under the above caption, the Blade of Sept. 19, 1895, tells of the first fair held in Grove City. Among other things the Blade says: "Extension preparations have been made by our Fair Association for the Grove City Fair, which opens next Tuesday, September the 24, and continuing four days.
"The grounds are located within a three-minute walk from the B. & O. depot, adjoining Grant's Beulah Park Addition. The grove is one of the most beautiful in the whole community, containing several acres, and has abundance of beautiful shade. Around the large trees comfortable seats have been built and numerous other improvements have been made in the grove that adds greatly to its appearance. The Association has also leased from E. A. White 23 acres adjoining the grove on the north, on which one of the best one-half mile regulation tracks in the state has been constructed at a cost of two thousand dollars.
The track is sixty-five feet wide and is undoubtedly a fast one. Prospects are exceedingly good for large exhibits in all departments, as entries commenced coming in as soon as the catalogue was out and have rapidly continued ever since. There will be large numbers of guests from all over the state and one of the best fairs ever held in Franklin county is anticipated.
"Exquisite preparations have also been made to provide for all stock that will be entered. About one hundred and thirty-five first-class shingle roof stalls have been erected which will be used for the shelter of the race horses and others placed on exhibition. All stalls have the best of them and are built of good material."
The blade then tells of the four halls, the fruit and vegetable hall, fine art and domestic hall, general exhibit hall and poultry building; also, the judge and band stands, and the grand stand. Of the grandstand it says: "It has a seating capacity of three thousand. This is an unusually fine building to be found on a county fair ground. Two ticket offices, secretary's office and other necessary buildings grace the beautiful fair grounds."
Plenty of good water was piped all over the grounds. The pipes were laid from the center of the grove in all directions. A baseball diamond was laid out in the center of the ring in front of the grand stand. Ball games by different competitive teams were scheduled for each day and prizes were, given to the winners.
Tuesday, the first day of the fair, was devoted to running, amateur pacing and trotting races, a lively goat race and a half mile special bicycle race.
Besides a good trotting race for Wednesday, several bicycle races were run, cyclists from all over Ohio were competitors. Guy Stoltz, the "Boy Wonder," was billed for some fancy and trick riding. Maybe some of our readers will remember him.
Trotting and pacing races, the best of the fair, were billed for Thursday and Friday. A ladies' driving contest was on the Friday's contest. Wonder if any of the ladies from here were participants?
And, oh you balloon ascension and parachute leap! What county fair of that date could pass 'em up? Prof. J. W. Bailie, listed as the "World's Greatest Aeronaut," was scheduled to make ascensions Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Did he do it? Did you help hold the huge bag until became inflated with the hot gas?
Members of the Association
A. G. Grant, president; Emanuel White, vice president; Daniel Weygandt, treasurer; G. B. Darnell, secretary; Michael Keller, W. L. Seeds, T.P. Barbee, J.R. Brown, J. M. Briggs, Elias White, G. W. Demorest, A.L. Nichols. John Fippen, Scott Neff, Samuel Taylor and G. W Haughn, board of directors.
Do these names mean anything to you? The reporter has been informed that three of the above-named men still live. George B. Darnell lives with a daughter somewhere in Indiana. T.P. Barbee lives here, and, A.L. Nichols lives in Springfield.