Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-01-20
THE CATHOLIC FAIR
Opens Auspiciously-A Large
Concourse of Visitors and
a Pleasant Time.
Interior Decorations, Booths, Tables,
Stands, Shooting Gallery, Etc, Re-
sembling an Oriental Bazar-
The Fair Will be a Grand
Success.

The long talked of Catholic Fair, opened
last night in the new basement Of the Cath
Ole church, and if this first night may be
taken as an index, it will continue to be the
chief attraction during the week. The large
basement was flied with surging, swaying,
but remarkably orderly mass of humanity
of all walks in life, who moved continually
from one scene to another. The arrange
merits are admirable, and everything moves
without the least friction.
The church basement is deliberately and
tastefully decorated with flags, bunting and
notices. A glance at the interior as you
enter the door, presents an ideal imitation Of
the famous bazsrs of the east.
On entering, the first thing that attracts
the visitors attention is the shooting gallery,
which is presided over by Mrs. Hazen, and
which was we'll patronized. Thi. gallery
stands on the left side of the room as you
enter. Proceeding along the left or north
side of the room, you come next to the mar
ried ladies fancy table. The table which Is
covered with multitude of rich and hand
some articles, stands within bower of lace
depending from the ceiling and stretching
away in graceful folds on either side, while
they are dotted here and there with little or
namerts, like stars in the armament. Mrs
Alex Fardy presides at this booth.
The next thing me. on this side Is an ele.
CANT silk crazy patch quilt upon which is
very fine display of needle-woIk. Next
comes table covered with candies and
fruits; then you come to Rebecca's well
quite comic affair. Just in front of you,
then, is the voting stand, and all inside the
railing, from which the altar has been re
moved, is converted into dining room, ex.
cept the space at the south side used for {
buttry or supply store room. Going down
along the south side the first thing you NEE
is the auction stand. Next is a small ga
tent, the abode of Madam Girafiy, th'
famous fortune teller-not the witch o
Mcsley avenue. Another step and yor
come to beautiful booth EMPOWERED il
rich lace curtains, whose graceful folds ar
most tsstefully ornamented, which, togethe
with the multitude of rare and beautiful
things in and around it, forms one of thu
most attractive features of the fair. This i
called the young ladies' fancy table, and i
presided over by Miss Nellie Leen. Beside
the great variety OF beautiful things on tn,
table, there is here silk crazy-pstch gull
of surprising beauty and elegance. Th
needle-work displayed on this quilt attes,
the artistic skill of the young lady, who di'
it all with her own hands. The youns
ladies draw table, for drawing prizes, j
next TO this. Proceeding along that side yo'
next encounter .he firc art exhibition, pre-
sided over by Miss Clara Lynch, and whic
contains veay large and beautiful art col
lection and some handsome piece
Of etatury. Next and last comes tn
Fish Pond, but Father Casey said tina
for some reason unknown to him the liv
fish had not vet arrived. On the whole tn
display is very fine aud reflects credit on tn
ladies who had charge of the work.
The knights of Pythias band enlivene'
the occasion with splendi music. This ban
is fast stepping to the front among the band
| in the state.
At Q O'Clock the house was called TO oTde
| and Miss Lillian Brandon, Wichita's favor
its elecutionist, rendered, "Curfew Must Nc
Ring Tonight" in her accustomed yigorou
style, and when she bowed to the sudienc
at the close of the piece the house rang vi.
applause.
The voting. especially for the gold ws.cl
between Mr.. Carey and Mr.. Gafieny, Wa
lively. Atthe close the record stood 81
each. The voting on the other articles We
also about even. For the cane: II. l
Heiserman, 10; B. W. Aldrich, II. Fon I'll
gold necklace: Clara Lynch, 20; DOLL
Schnitzler, Is. For the rocking chair: Mr.
Stewart, 20; Mrs. Dorsey, 10.
Father Casey, who was busy everywher'
was much pleased with the opening nigf
and SAYS it has never been his good fortur
to meet a more liberal people than the cit
zers of Wichita. OF course, Wichita nere
takes a back seat in ANYTHING.