The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-09-15

The grand formal opening of the
Fair took place on Tuesday, although
the gates were closed to free visitors
on Monday. On Tuesday at 9 o'clock
A. NJ, procession was formed in the
Following order Carriages containing
the officers of the Society and their
invited guests, escorted by the Chicago
Dragons, marched through the princi-
pal streets of the city, to the Fair
Grounds, where the opening exercises
took place, which included speeches
by the President of the Society, Hon.
Tench Tilghman and Senators Critten-
den and Douglas. gsa 9 ~
The Fair Grounds are an enclosure
Of forty-fve acres with the main en-
trance on Cottage Grove Avenue.
The surface is level prairie. The form
is nearly square, save for a rectangu-
lar addition of fine green sward at the
rear, an increase of space having been
made to the original plat. The main
entrance gives carriage way, with
others for the pedestrians. On each
side, and ianking each, are ticket Off
ces, which form continuous front with
the enclosure.
The centre Of the Fair Grounds are
devoted to an enclosed circular park,
around which runs forty-foot track
rolled smooth and firm. Within this the
sward is smooth and unbroken. On
the south side of this circulur park is
the Grand Stand for the officers of the
Fair. Along the southwest side of
the park and its encircling track runs
bank of seats for the accommodation
of several thousand spectators.
The buildings on the Fair Grounds
are numerous. The principal struc-
lures are six large Halls, fifty by one
hundred and fifty feet, which comprises,
a Floral Hall, with an adjoining tent
for a display of fruit, &C.; Fine Art
Hall; a Mechanical and Power Hall,
an Agricultural Implement Hall, Mis-
cellaneous Hall, besides the Superin-
tendent's Office, Entry Office, and Sec
retary's apartments, the Hall set apart
for the Editors, another for Dressing
Room and Saloon for Ladies, Tele-
graph Office and an Eating House. OF
this latter class colony are scattered
through the Grounds.
The City is already flooded with Wis
itors and each train on the different
railroad brings large additions to the
crowd. UNIV
Among the distinguished visitors
are Senators Hale, Stewart, Chandler,
Crittenden and Douglas.
The entries are very large, in fact,
they cannot fall much below three thou
sand.
One of the greatest attractions of
the Fair, is "Flora Temple" and
l"Princess." These celebrated Horses
are entered for the citizens purse of
$1,000 offered under the auspices of the
q. s. Agricultural Society, for. the
"best trotter."
The occasion of the Fair has been
chosen by the different Societies, as
the time for holding their annual meet
ings, which must possess peculiar in
terest to all classes. The Twenty
Second Annual Convention of the
Diocese of Illinois, commenced in St.
James Church on Tuesday, and is to
continue through Thursday. A grand
Drill of military is to take plase on
Thursday for Champion Stand of
Arms. A grand Encampment of the
Knight Templars (Masons) of the
United States, commenced session on
Tuesday, and at the same time a ses-
sion of the General Grand Chapter of
Masons of the United States, was held.
Then there is to be an Editorial Con-
vention of the Editors Of Illinois. A
trial of steam Fire Engines, when it
is expected that Hope Co., of Phila-
delphia will be present and compete !;
a balloon ascension by Prof Steiner,
and grand shooting match for 800
sides between Geo. t. Abby and
Capt. Travis. Then there is to be a
regetta of sailing craft, pleasure ex-
cursion on the Planet, and other at
fractions " too numerous to mention"
that follow each other in quick ssoces-
sion during the Gala week until, we
opine, the wearied citizen and wearied
guest will become stated with sight see
ing. ..