Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-16
THE GUARDSF FAIR OPENED
LIBRARY HALF. TRANSFORMED
INTO A BOWER OF BEAUTY.

= Magnificent Display of Rich Rare
Curious and Useful Articles The
Formal Opening by Mayor Lester At
tended by the BattaIiOn-The DecOra-
tions-The Booths in Charge of Savan
mans Fair Ladies-The Chief Attrac-
tiOns of the Fair.
The grand fair of the Savannah Volun-
teer Guards Battalion was formally
opened at O'Clock last night by Mayor
Lester. Chairman of the General Fair
Committee. The event had been antici-
pated with a great deal Of interest, and as
the crowds poured into the Catholic
Library Hall-transfOrmedin into verltaOle
bower Of beauty and brilliance-the
EXPLANATIONS of wOnderment and delight
were universal and unequivQcal. " hen IL
was determined to hold the falr the zen
eral Committee resolved that nothing that
could contribute to its success should be
left undOue. The result of their labOrs and
supervision and the superior taste and art
istic skill Ofthe decorator was evidenced IN
the uDique decorations Of the hall, which
are on a scale of elegance and magnif-
cence never before attempted in Savannah.
The visitor could not but be amazed at
the grand transformation that had taken
place during the past few days. Busy
from daylight until the hall
was thrown open to the public, ar
ranging the thousands of beautiful and
useful articles in the booths and upon the
tables, and placing everything in order.
At $3.50 O'Clock the battalion assembled
at the arsenal without arms and, under
command Of their gallant Colonel, march
ed to the Fair building. Arriving
at the main entrance, halt was
ordered. The Republican Blues Band,
which. in the absence of the Guards
Band i'm Macon. preceded the corps, was
stationed on McDOn0ugh street, on the
north side OF the hall, and the battalion
filed in aud marched to the gal
lery. Mayor Lester, as Chairman
Of the General Committee, welcomed
the citizens who, by their presence, lent
encouragement and support to the gallant
Guards in their efforts, and announced
the fair formally opened.
The spacious and beautiful hall was
filled with a gay assemblage of gentlemen
and ladies', and the bright uniforms of the
Guards mingled with those of the other
commands who were represented, and the
costumes of the ladies amid the bright
colors of the flowers and decorations, made
the scene "A brilliant one. The entire hall
presented an appearance of beauty that IS
seldom enjoyed. The decorations are
elaborate. beautiful and tasteful. The
booths are handsome and attractive, and
are filled with a thousand and one articles
useful and ornamental.
Upon entering the hall the first booth to
the right is the Cigars and Tobacco En-
pOrium. presided over by Miss Carrie
TOmlinsOn. Miss Emily Fernandez and
Miss Fannie Massart. The booth is tasteful
ly decorated in red, and upon its counters
are arranged in an attractive show case
fine cigars. cigarettes, tobacco and smOk-
ers' articles of almost every variety.
The next TO the right is the Wheel of
Fortune. which has not yet been arranged,
but which will be managed by Mrs. Jacob
Lippman and Mrs. Joseph Belsinger.
The first display at the left upon entering
the hail, Is the
CLOTHING DEPARTMENT.
under supervision of Messrs. Abrahams
& Birnbaum. This display is unusually
attractive. Upon platform is arranged
some of the finest clothing in the trade
placed by the firm having charge of the
department. and including donations
from the leading clothing houses in the
North. Among the suits contributed by
Northern firms are fine
imported corkscrew suit, donated
by Rammerslough Bros. New York;
one suit by Maunburg, kruss,
Laerer Il Co. New York; one suit by l..
LernisOn Il Co, New York; one suit by
We'll. Brincner Il We'll; one fine Sara
toga trunk by Lissa. Stern Il Co.. New
York: one fine leather satchel by Lazo-
Nich Il Co. New York; number of scarfs
bv PlOuskV 4 SimOnS. New York; Il
dozen fine white silk handkerchiefs by NJ.
4. Tvnberg. New York; collection of
iewelrv from Greenbaum x Co.. New
York.
All the clothing. numbering over forty
suits. is marked with the price, and Will
be disposed of upon chances, or at auc-
ton. as may be decided.
Adjoining the clothing department is
beautiful display of silverware and fancy
goods by X. Platshek.
Next to this display. and opposite
the cigar emporium. Is the table
presided over by the committee having in
charge the distribution Of the Guards pro
perty.
Beyond this is the
LEMONADE WELL,
a beautiful rustic structure, enclosed with
a railing Of rustic work. and from which
ice cold lemonade is drawn and served to
the thirsty visitors. The work was de-
signed and executed by Mr. J. F. DAILY, Of
Providence. r. l.. and IS worthy OF atten-
ton. The we'll is deep down in the centre
of an arbOr-like structure built in the
shape of an Old-fashiOned well curb. The
roof is covered with moss clinging to the
wood. and the whole is surm0unted by
rustic ornament, upon which IS
perched dove holding a lemon in
its BILL The well is presided over by
Mrs. James /. Taylor, Mrs. 6. A. W hlte-
head. Misses LawtOn, Miss Dyer, Miss
Stewart. Miss. Callie Ellis, Miss Clark
and Miss Haldeman.
Upon the north side of the hall is the
FOREST CITY TABLE,
which. with the Col. Garrard table, are
the largest two in the hall. The booth is
of Oriental design. heavily decorated and
festOOned, and having the words ''FOrest
CITY Table" in pink letters above its
main table. To describe the many rich
articles which it contains would
be impossible. but among those
which are prominent are three elegant
hand-painted bOnnets, by Mrs. Ed. Har-
den: a handsome embroidered toilet set,
by Mrs. KOlb; an eXquisitely wrought
mOuchOir case. by Mrs. !. 6. Hayward;
an elegant cushion, by Mrs, John Elan
merry: 4 richly and artistically worked
cushion, by the Sisters of Mercy; costly
lace dress, by Mrs. b. L. Bee; a
baby carriage afghan, elegantly en-
brOidered by Miss Fanny Schweiren;
handsome embroidered wicker screen,
by Mrs. r. G. Fleming; hand
painted scarf by Miss Basinger;
slumber pillow. by Mrs. W. 5. Basinger;
brush holder. hand painted, by Mrs.
Basinger; handsome soft cushion. Mrs.
Basinger: elegant silk quilt, Mrs. Gen. l..
McLaws; handsome cushion, Mrs. Capt.
Fleming; child's bed, complete. Mrs. r.
II. Footman; child's carriage, Mrs. r. ii.
FOotman; deliberately embroidered table
cover. Mrs. J. G. Hayward; wall Orna-
ment, Miss Lilienthal; beautiful painted
screen, Miss Della Tote, Charleston, ).
C. beautiful white silk flag, with a red
star centre. to be awarded to the most
popular yacht in the Savannah Yacht
Club, is one Of the principal attractions.
The booth is presided over by Mrs. r. II.
FoOtman. assisted by Mrs. John Bryan.
Mrs. W. ". Rogers, Mrs. b. f. Bee, Mrs.
f. Thomas. Mrs. NJ. w. Jackson, and
Misses Hattie and Susie Adams. Above
the name. Forest City Table. is an ele-
CANT cravon portrait of the gallant COM
mander of the battalion, Col. William
Garrard. executed by Miss Mary LawtOn.
On the south side of the hall, opposite
the Forest City Table, is the
COL. GARRARD TABLE,
similar in construction to the first,
and filled with rare and costly articles Of
CiFtu, superb embroideries and many ar
ticles of elaborate and unique design,
which are beyond the reporters power Of
description. A great deal Of the display
has already been announced and de-
scribed iR the MORNING NEWS as the
contributions were received by the COM
mittee. The booth is presided over by
Mrs. Allan FullartOn, Mrs. \. Minis, Mrs.
George Screven. Mrs. Charles Cunning
ham. Mrs. T. c. Arnold and Mrs. Freid-
enberg. and the citizens will receive a
cordial welcome at their hands.