Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-10-06
EAST TENNESSEE DIVISION FAIR
First Day-An Excellent Exhibition.

nessee, and the commercial entrepot of
large, industrious and energetic popula
tlon. The agricultural progress is marked
and surpasses any other section of tn
State. The farmers have brought into us,
the most improved implements of hus
bandry; have provided and are erectins
barns and outbuildings for the preservs
ton OF stock and grain. Every homestead
throughout East Tennessee bears the i'm
press OF industry and substantial comfort
The city of Knoxville shows an active bust
ness and rapid increase in population and
building. Many elegant business houses have
been completed and are in progress, while
beautiful residences have gone up in al
parts of tbs city. Cowan, McClung & Co.,
to meet the demands of their immense
trade, are erecting a store house larger
than any in the State. This enterprising
firm, by their iberality and energy, have
built up trade equal to any house in the
South. There are many other merchants
in the various departments, doing heavy
business and contributing largely to the
prosperity of the people.
The Fair grounds are located about a
mile east of the city and cover about sixty
| acres, and are susceptible of high improve
course encircles the main body of the
grounds, while the buildings are superior
IN design and extent to any we have seen
In the State. take additional pride in
this fact because the architect is Nash
vile man, Mr.. A. @ Bruce, who has re-
Gently removed to Knoxville, and, by rea.
son of his business qualifications, is gain
ing a well-meri' ed reputation. This struc-
ture is in the Swiss style of architecture,
and presents an imposing and beautiful ap-
pearance.
The center building is sixty feet square
and three stories high, covered with an
octagon canopy resting on columns start
ing from the ground, which are carried to
the height of seventy feet, from which can
be had view of the whole ground and the
entire mile track, and is designed for the
Floral Hall In the center, on the ground
floor, is to be fountain, supplied with
water, to accommodate the contributions
of water plants. The second story is an
open rotunda, enclosed by a strong balus-
trade, forming gallery or promenade, in
full view of the story below. This part of
the second story is the art gallery, for the
exhibition of paintings or any other con-
tributions. From this second story is a
stairway leading to the canopy floor, forty
feet square, enclosed by railing.
From the center building are wings, one
on each side, 32X40 feet, two stories high,
the first story of which, on one side, is the
mechanical department. On the other
side is the agricultural department. The
second stories of these wings will be used
for the exhibition of cotton and wooden
fabrics, sewing machine department, light
mechanics and art industry, and the ladies'
industrial hall-the prominent feature.
Two end wings at fight-angles, each
20x50 feet, one of which, on the first floor,
is a spacious dining hall with carving room
attached. On the first floor are four booths,
lunch stands, etc. In the other end, on
the first floor, is the Judges room and
ladies reception. Ga the second floor Of
these wings is the Secretary and Treasu-
rer's room and the room for awarding pre-
miums, and the prominent feature of the
other end is the fruit room over the dining
room. There are four wide, easy stair
ways leading to the second story, to avoid
confusion either in entrance or egress.
The race tracks are one mile in length,
when they are completed, will be only
LWO anu uhll looI W Lno uhc, WulCu ID
almost level
The stock stalls are admirably located on
the south side Of the grounds with run
ming stream near them, and everything
arranged to make the place the most at
tractive in the Southern country.
The Fair opened under the most favor
able circumstances. At an early hour
crowds of people from the country came
streaming into town, and by 8 o'clock the
streets of Knoxville presented an animated
and gay appearance. Troops of men on
horseback, pedestrians and scores Of
carriages, buggies, hacks, omnibuses, and
even wagons, filed the avenues of approach
to the grounds, and brought back to mind
the scenes of other days. The day is one
of the most beautiful ever seen (; the sky
above clear and unlocked, save here and
there by soft, feecy clouds, which float in
the hazy blue of an autumn sky like swans
down on the surface of a beautiful lake.
The late rains have completely laid the
dust and the roads are ID splendid condiH
ton. The race track is in superb order,
and We may expect to witness later in the
week some splendid contests of speed both
10 harness and under the saddle. The
air Grounds are located two miles from the |
city, to the east and are well adapted |
to the purposes in view. A large and |
handsome exhibition building has Just been |
and presents a most tasteful |
and elegant appearance. Upon entering |
this morning, the first object upon which /
the eye rested was beautiful fountain, SIT
uated in the center of the spacious rotunda
with tall pillars, festooned
with cedars and fowers-its basin envi-
roned by moss, and its cool water splash
ing and playing in the soft sunlight, which
through the open windows. Upon |
the first floor were exhibited corn, -four,
wheat, oats, bacon, lard, poultry, tin and
rOnware and machinery, embracing light /
agricultural implements and domestic tools.
The number of entries is large, and the
quality of the articles displayed is excel
lent. Upon this floor are also situated the
various committee reception rooms and
aides saloons. Every accommodation is
provided for those in attendance.
Upon the second floor are shown the
various articles of home manufacture,
such as jeans, linseys, cotton, and wooden
goods, quilts, blankets, fruits, vegetables,
and flowers. Some of the specimens of
aides handiwork are exquisitely beauti-
nj. The walls of this floor are beauti-
fully ornamented with pictures, and fes
oons of flowers ard eyergreens Irvine
around the ratings and pillars. Here too
we're to be seen the ladies, fair and beau
.iiul as hours, tastefully and elegantly
dressed, their bright colors lending variety
o the picture, and their sunny smiles and
happy faces adding that charm which alone
attaches to lovely woman. The Wheeler
Wilson, the Grover & Baker and the
singer sewing machines were exhibited on
his floor. The fruits displayed were
specimens. Of pears alone
fifty varieties were entered by DIR.
J Campbell, grown by Ellwanger & Bar
y of Rochester, n Y. These were the
inest pears ever shown in Knoxville. One
# the varieties, Duchess DAngouleme,
IL inches around, and weighed |
4 ounces specimen Beurre Diel, measured
2 inches, and weighed 1 pound; Beurre
)'Aupre, measured Is inches, and weighed
! pounds.
A specimen of 'Yellow Belle Fleur" APP
lie, measured IA inches and weighed II
No premiums are announced for
o4day. The fair promises to be great
uccess and no efforts will be spared by its
directors and managers TO make the coca
ion Joyous one. There is no news of
pecial interest, everybody devoting their
ttention and time to the great event Of
he week