Greenbrier County, West Virginia - 160th Anniversary Booklet - Part 18 *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. *********************************************************************** Historical Booklet - Greenbrier County 160th Anniversary - 1778-1938 Published 1938 Transcribed by Lori Samples GREENBRIER FAMOUS FAIRS The Greater Greenbrier County Fair, held annually on the beautiful Fair Grounds midway between Lewisburg and Ronceverte, is the modern edition of the first fair held in Lewisburg eighty years ago. The Greenbrier Agricultural Society's lot was the site of the original fair. It was situated in the northeastern part of town, near a small skirt of woodlands on the plot where Greenbrier Military School now stands. The first fair was small, and rather on the rustic order. There was no grand stand. One main building housed the products of the farm, garden, loom and shop. O. W. Kittinger, of Alderson, recalling that first fair which he attended in 1858, with his father, as a small boy eight years of age, says, "I saw there many fine horses, cattle, sheep and hogs confined in rail pens. The hucksters sold sweet cider and ginger cakes in the fence corners with green brush thrown over the top. Among the livestock I saw for the first time Traveler, General Lee's iron gray war horse, when he was a yearling colt. This colt had taken first premium and had a blue ribbon tied to his halter. Traveler became the most famous war horse in America, for he carried General Lee safely through many a hard-fought battle of the Civil War and outlived his master to move in the funeral procession, draped with a confederate flag. He was bred by Mr. Andrew Johnson near the Blue Sulphur Spring. I also saw, at that same fair, the first sewing machine bought by Mrs. David Creigh. The fair ground was enclosed by a high rail fence with an old time farm gate for entrance. The admission was twenty five cents for adults and fifteen cents for children, but they had neither a track or race horses." The next fair held in Greenbrier was in Lewisburg in 1869. It was at this fair that the famous Ludington steer was exhibited. The steer weighed 4000 pounds, and was the largest in the world. It was raised by Mr. Jarrett, in blue Sulphur District. It was sold to Samuel C. Ludington, who disposed of it to Mr. Peyton, manager of "The Old White." It was said that "the steer was so broad across the back that a half bushel of shelled corn could be poured on it and not a grain would roll off." The second fair held in the county was at North Alderson about 1877. It was located on a tract of land now owned by Camp Greenbrier. Mr. James Mann, of Alderson, was President. Mr. Isaac Bare, Chief of Police, rode over the grounds on horseback to preserve order. The location was an excellent one, on a good tract of land on the north bank of the Greenbrier River. However, the fair failed after the second year. It did not seem to be developing into a paying investment, and the stockholders were anxious to get out. Greenbrier's next fairs were held just out of Lewisburg on the road leading to Ronceverte, in 1892 and 1893. At "The Greenbrier Industrial Exposition, 1895" the directors were: Wm. R. Dotson, Silas B. Mason, John J. Echols, Sam'l H. Austin, John Driscol, J. M. Sydenstricker, George Law, Harvey J. Handley, John H. Crawford, Henry T. Bell, John W. Arbuckle. John B. Sydenstricker is a president today of the Great Greenbrier Valley Fair, a worthy successor of the fairs of yesterday. The Great Greenbrier Valley Fair is West Virginia's largest, the acknowledged equal of many state fairs. It is held each year during the week previous to Labor Day. R. H. Tuckwiller is vice president, C. E. Boone is treasurer, and W. L. Tabscott is secretary. Directors include J. B. Sydenstricker, R. H. Tuckwillers, S. P. Preston, H. B. Moore, C. E. Boone, Dr. J. W. Compton, Ed. L. Blake, C. G. Roder, and H. B. Wilson. OLD RACE TRACKS Racing was a popular sport in Greenbrier's youth. Mounted stocklovers, with silver-plated stirrups, bridle-bits and spurs glistening in the sunlight, would often huddle in front of the Hutchinson Tavern, sip their julips, and then "in clouds of dust, thunder up the old Frankford road to the quarter-track or "racepath". A mile track on the land of Capt. William Renick, later Walter Robinson's, was also a favorite resort. There was a quarter-track on the Huffnagle famr in the Rich Hollow devoted to racing. No entrance fee was charge, and no city or stable horse or jockey was allowed to enter. This, the Welch Race-Track" was given entirely to "Farmer's Races." too, there was Race Track Field, at the foot of Bunch's hill, one mile below Greenbrier Bridge. the track was under the control of the different leasees of the River Hotel. Probably the oldest track of all was a three-quarters race-track near the present site of Old Stone Church. It encircle parts of the present graveyard and the fields of James Withrow, Mrs. E. A. Fry, and Capt. R. F. Dennis. The finest track in all this region was said to have been that upon the Campbell land att X-Road in Monroe County. There, about a century ago, the race occurred between the celebrated Greenbrier horses Clinton and Van Trump. Clinton belonged to Maj. Claudius Buster and Van Trump to Archibald Handly. The old song, whistled and sung up until recent years, indicated the success of the race: "Here comes Clinton - Van Trump behind!" LEWISBURG'S FIRST CIRCUS The following advertisement appeared in "The Palladium of Virginia and Pacific Monitor," issue of August 22, 1825; FEAMSTER'S CIRCUS Living natural curiousities to be seen at the "Bell Tavern" in Lewisburg, consisting of a pair of African Leopards, a young cougar, an Ostrich, and African Crownbird, the Mackack Bird, Egyptian Cat or Weazel, a Shetland Pony, and a number of Monkeys, Apes &c. And at night there will be a grand display of gorund and lofty tumbling &c. For a view of the animals, 25 cents. Children under 12 half price. NEXT: THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS