Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-06-17
THE OPEN AIR CONCERTS.
The First One Starts Of. With a Big
Boom.
A Fine Evening and Vast crowd---1he
Concert in 0etal---hotes of
the Evening.

The series of open air concerts, given
under the auspices of the city, got magni-
fcent send off last night. If there was any
doubt, either of the success or the popularity
of the undertaking, it was dispelled after
last night. Everything conspired TO aid in
its success. The air was balmy without
being close and there was no dust.
Nothing else was in progress as a counter
attraction and people Aocked there in
countless hundreds to hear the music. The
band seemed inspired by the vast throng
and PLAYED its most ravishing melodies in
its finest style. In short the first concert
was most suspicious and the next will be
looked forward to with increased interest.
THE CROWD.
At s o'clock, when the crowd was at its
height it was a spectacle TO behold. The
square from Fifteenth TO Sixteenth streets
would not begin to contain the throng
though at times it was densely packed In.
All evening the people came and went
leaving the same multitude standing, listen
ing to the music. 1t was just such gath
ering in size as attended the great Hancock
ratification meeting at the same place in
1850. The large majority of persons were
ladies' and rs white dresses were thicSly
sprinklcd through very gay appearance
was given Matrons brought their families;
Young ladies trooped there in droves; gal
liant Youths took their best girls to enjoy the
scenes and rowing stays met their sweet
hearts there and escorted them home. The
crave man of business did not disdain to be
there while the weary worker forgot his tolls
and lost himself in the music.
THE ARRANGEMENTS.
The Opera House brass band, twenty in
number. occupied the. balcony of the west
entrance The heavy ratings had been re-
moved and numerous gas jets run out to
light the place An electric light was
swung from each corner of the building, in
the square and brilliantly lighted the space.
Fifty long benches had been placed about
the fountain and were protected BY an extra
police force. Ten times the number would
have been filled without difficulty, for the
benches were lost in the crowd. Every
window of the capital and the two upper
balconies were crowded and the doors, win
dows and even the fences and board yards
opposite were fairly thrOnged. That's the
Kind Of a crowd it was and good judges
estimated that 10000 different persons Wis
tied the square during the evening.
THE MUSIC.
The programme has already been pub
lShcd and needs no repetition here. Twelve
numbers, all good music, were rendered in
good style. and such were the acoustic prop
critics Of the place they could be distinctly
heard bv all. The band was little late in
arriving. so that start was not made until
an hour after the time, and the concert was
that much later in concluding than was ex-
pccted. This was no drawback, however, as
most STAYED to the end.
Summing up, the evening and the effort
must be called an undoubted success.
Those who sueered and opposed the plan
are now loudcst in its praise, and Wheeling
has taken step forward in the onward
march of progress
NOTES.
The dudes were out in full blast.
The concert was grand success.
Looked quite metropolitan, didn't it?
Chapline street was very gay last nj ght
Pretty girls were numerous at the con-
cert.
Jersey jackets and white dresses were all
the 60.
Quite number of country folks at
tended.
Seats were scarce after the concert com
menced.
Not quarrel or disturbance of any'kind
occurred.
Lots of pretty young ladies were in at.
tendance last night
The electric lights were immense and
showed everything very plainly.
The small boy was in his glory last night
as he listened to the strains Of the band.
The audience was enthusiastic in its
praise OF the promulgators Of the concerts.
Everything passed off very pleasantly,
there not being one fight that we heard Of
The W. o. H. B. played some very fine
selections and pleased everybody that lis.
tened.
The gas Jets on either side should be
lighted. 1t would make a great improve
mCnt.
The next concert takes place on Saturday,
June II, and We predict larger crowd and
more fun.
The freight trains attracted much atten-
ton in their effort to get up the Sixteenth
street grade.
The Capitol should have been illuminated
and decorated on the opening Of the sum
mer concert.
The country jake in the white suit was
much pleased as he stood and gazed with
his mouth open.
If the "masher' couldn't get girl last
evening, he was no good, as they were as
thick as stones on a beach.
A great many people remarked that Mon
dav night would be a much better time to
hold the concerts than Saturday evening.
1t would he we'll to watch your pocket
books in the crowd, as the jam affords a
good opportunity for pickpockets toply their
vocation.