Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-12

Opening II ~ Pair IN 0rsnits Han
Last Evening.



SsA' AseAsr ssspAsoeess IT,, Delivers q
Doqosn9 Address.
Last evening the long expected Grand Army
Fair, usdef the auspices Of Sch Williams
Post, opened successfully in Granite Hall
For weeks and months the comrades Of ths
Post, assisted BY the Ladies' Lelief Corps,
have worked usrsmitsingly to make the
faif success, and the result last evening
vas fully up 70 their most sansuine expecta-
tions. Nearly the entire number Of 1900
season Tickets have been disposed of and eur
citizens have in no case been prodisal in theiz
contributions for the Fair. The doors were
opened at Z o'clock, and almost Immediately
the throng began to pour into the hall. With
IN vas scene Of animation and beauty
The DECORATIONS.
In the hall were profuse and elegant. At
the same time they we're appropriate. The
materials were furnished BY the Boston Dec.
Grating Co., and thanks to the untiring Ia
bors and taste of Messrs. ]. n. Libbey and
4. B. Mcfarland. BY whom they we're placed
In position, were arranged with excellent ef-
feet. The centre piece was mammoth rep
ressntation Of the G. A. R. badge on . blue
groundwork, and was draped with the stars
and stripes. The platform was faced with
Paris drapery Aecked with pretty fowerets.
From the proscenium front, which was faced
with broad blue panel gorgeous with golden
stars and stripes, was suspended smaller
psnel Of Paris drapery ON which was en-
blazoned in letters Of gold interminglsd with
painted flowers the word "Charity" Both
sides OF the stage in front were gay with bunt-
ing. The gallery fronts we're faced
with sky blns Paris drapery gar.
landed with graceful festoons Of
pretty painted blossoms. On this drapery At
intervals we're suspended neat badges, and
sufmounting it was bordering Of NOSE paper
in varied and unique colors. On the rear
gallery front on . blue groundwork appeared
the word welcome in large letters, Graded
in . garland of painted flowers upheld at
either extremity BY dainty cupids. Twenty
six corps hags hung from beneath the CALLER
les. Attached to the walls on every side
both above and below the galleries we're small
shields, on which were inscribed the names
Of prominent generals and commodores of the
war. Suspended in symmetrical order and
radiating from the crown of the ceiling, were
. series Of red and white streamers reaching
to the cornices of the walls. From cords,
stretched from the chandelier, waved in =
varied, but pleasing succession of colors,
the flags of all nations. From
the cornices were suspended, at inter-
walls, shields Of the American flag.
Several other minor features in the decorat-
ing could be seen in other parts of the hall,
which it 10 not necessary to give. Take all
together it was . most excellent specimen Of
the decorators art, and last evening beneath
the glare of the gaslisht presented = charm
ing scene.
On the floor was bazaar of wonders. To
the right of the stage and nestled in the cor
ner beneath the gallery was log cabin which
will be employed during the Fair A. an art
museum. 1t was constructed Of slabs with
the bark on and presented outwardly quite
back-woods look. Its entrance was in front
on the corner nearest the rear of the hall. 1t
was an object Of much interest to the crowd.
Further along beneath the gallery and
towards the rear came long tables
piled high with fancy and other
articles on sale; also a full supply of the
choicest cake. Behind the counters stood
q bevy of the fairest and most bewitching
young ladies Of Augusta, and to pass BY
without purchasing their goods and yielding
to their wiles, one was obliged to perform
prodigies of valor. Several outside parties
purchased space on this table to display
goods which they had for sale. In the rear
of the hall was . long table where ice cream,
and hot coffee were served to those
desiring such refreshments.
At the left Of the stage in the corner beneath
the gallery we're displayed the articles which
are to be drawn BY those holding season tickets.
These we're the cynosurs Of all eyes. 'That's
mine" would exclaim portly citizen point
ing towards the easy chair. or. my number
will draw that would remark young man
with fervor, his eyes riveted on the gold watch.
Again paterfamilias would gaze longinsly At
the barrel of -four with its store Of food for
hungry mouths.
Further down on the left were fruit and
confectionery stands also the sumptuous easy
chair which 10 to be voted to the BARRIERS OF
the city. On table, standing on the stage,
Vas handsome cathedral toned clock, to be
voted on Ihursday evening. and given to the
letter carrier who receives the most votes !;
also q smaller clock for the carrier who gets
the second beat number Of votes.
ATS o'clock the hall was packed with .
dense throng of humanity. Every seat in the
body Of the house was taken and the galleries
we're black with people. Every inch Of stand
ing room in the rear % the hall was occu-
pied, and even the doorways we're niled. on