The daily gazette., 1876-02-29
Tho Centennial Encampmcnt.
. LETTER FROM ONE oErnr DIRECTORS.
PAINrER's BRIDGE, Chester Z


Eiitor Htisbandman:-I am one Of
the directors of the Centennial Eu-
campment Association. We have
leased about forty acres of ground at
Elm Station, on the Pennsylvania Rail
Road, three miles from the Centennial
grounds and six miles from Thirty rst
and Market streets, within ten minutes
ride Of the Centennial Exhibition.-
Cost of rental of grounds for eighteen
months, (enough time to enable US to
remove all buildings, &c. } $500. In
Guided on the grounds are two houses
containing twenty-one rooms, large
barn, suitable for thirty horses, fine
lawn, plenty of good spring water, fine
drainage, and grounds suitable for
good camp grounds. was one of
committee on location, and we visited
every railroad Of any magnitude en-
tering into Philadelphia. When we
came to add up we found the Pennsyl-
vania railroad head and shoulders
ahead of all others. They put us in
siding, baggage room and telegraph
office, and furnish men to run them;
advertise our.encampment all over their
various lines; check all baggage direct
to encampment from the West, stop
trains, &C., all free of charge. They
also run our lumber down for consid-
eral'le discount on their special rates;
in short, have promised us everything
we have asked for, Yes, and more
too. They send one of their engineers
out to locate our buildings, planning
our grounds, assist in forcing up water,
&C., &c.
The manner OF running the encamp-
ment has net been definitely decided
upon, but it has been decided to charge
fifty cents only for bed and each meal
| thereby securing to patrons cheap
good. comfortable living, while visit
ing Philadelphia. Weexpect to grant
concessions to different parties for
feeding the people binding them to
furnish certain bill of fare. Applica-
tions Of responsible characters have
already offered in numbers. The lodg-
ing we may possibly not lease out
not certain. Have had very hand.
seme percentage bid on all gross re.
ceipts of whatever nature that are real
ly worth our considering, and that, too
by a patron who is responsible. There
will be wanted and required on the
ground laundry. Have had applica-
tions for segar store, confectionery and
ice cream, bakery, shoe store, clothing
house, newspaper stand. Machine men
have applied for room to stand their
wares, all of which must produce reye-
nue., am now endeavoring to con-
tract to have the water forced up with
engine and pump. Will erect large
hall suitable for private and public
meetings, lectures, theatrical enter.
tainments, church on Sabbath, &c.
Living as l do, within few miles
of Philadelphia; de not know Of a
single hstel that is of very good report
but will charge from SO. so to 81. 90 per
day next season, and some of them far
more. The Continental Hotel in Phila-
delphia is about the centre of the city
1t now takes forty-five minutes to run
frem there to Centennial grounds -
Next year with crowded streets and
cars it will take an hour, while in our
case not over ten minutes, and that to
by train for our special purpose. l
am notAware of but little stock being
taken in your State. Fraternally,
WIN. II, PAINTER.