Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-10-30
OPENING OF TIE GREAT SANITARY FAIR I,

OPENING OF THE GREAT SANITARY FAIR IN
CuIcAGo.-It was our good fortune to be
in Chicago on Tuesday, the cay Of the formal
opening of the Great Fair given by the Nor,h
Western Sanitary Commission for the benefit
of sick and wounded soldiers The Fair was
inaugurated by grand procession, partcipa-
ted in by the military and civic organizations
of the city, including the firemen with their
carriages, on horseback and afoot. The pro
cession was about four miles in length, ard
WAS over an hour passing the fremont House,
on Lake street, the point at which we wit
messed it. One novel feature was chario,
decorated vito flags, most of then captured
from the rebels. Lake street, confessedly the
finest street in Chicago, never presented a
lveier scene than on this occasion.
The procession finally drew up at the Court
House, where Hon. Thos Is. Bryan, rreSi
dent of the Sanitary Commission, WIGS tc
deliver the inaugural address Mr.. B. had
spoken only about ten minutes when his voice
failed Gust as it did on the occasion of his
appearance before the citizens of Muscatine
last 4th of July,) when he was compelled to
wave a farewell to the immense audience Of
disappointed listeners and retire The people
however, to show their great love and respect
for him ard their appreciation of his effort
gave him three hearty cheers. 1.-The Star
Spangled Banner was sung with great en-
thusiasm, when the people adjourned to
Bryan Hall, where the Fair was then opened.
The Hall was filled with variety of fancy
and useful articles, many of costly materials
and exquisite workmanship. We noticed
one large table filed with articles from Pitts
burg, another from Milwaukee, &c, showing
that the ladies at different points had taken
great interest iii the Fair. Among the con-
'trib .tions from Muscatine was an elegant
. vase Of wax'tiowers, by Miss Angie Stein.-
Il he-e were very much admired, and were
carried all around the Hall on the day of
their arrival, eliciting remarks of praise from
every one who saw them.
Tse potatoes tom the "Soldier's Patch
hadnot been placed on exhibition when we
v:sited'the Hail. though we understood they
had arrived in the city.
Mrs. F. II. Stone, of Muscstine, was busy
engaged as saleswoman at one of the tables,
having been about week in the city, assist
ing in the preparations Of the Fair. We be-
lieve she was at that time, the only member
of the Executive Committee from Iowa in at
tendance.
The Fair has received numerous costly do
nations from merchants, manufacturers and
others. One entire room is devoted to the
exhibition of machinery contributed in this
way.
In the Supervisors room, in the Court
House, are exhibited numerous battle-scarred
banners, together with many flags captured
from the rebels. Among the former is the
regimental flag Of the Cd Wisconsin, which
has been in fourteen battles. Only about
half of it remains.
The Fair promises to be grand success in
every respect 1t will continue until Satur-
day of next week, November 7ih. Among
the novelties for the coming week are lee
lures, on Wednesday and Friday evenings,
by Miss Anna Dickinson, the noted oratress.