Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-23
ST.L0UIS' 'WAVINGPLUMES'
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCK
TO THE FAIR GROUNDS.


Exhibition DrilIs and Music by Gilr
mOre's Band for the Benefit of the
Charleston Sufferers the Attraction
The City and Grounds Gay with Taste
fuI Decoration.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 22.-The knights Tenn
plar In attendance upon their twenty
third triennial conclave, thousands Of
visitors and a great number of citizens
devoted their time to-day to charity exer.
eises, at the fair grounds, for the benefit OF
the Widows' and Orphans Masonic Home
Early this morning the streets were
thronged with thousands on their way
thither. There was no room for ''one more"
on any OF the cars run TO the grounds,
and vehicles Of every description were
utilized to convey the eager spectators to-
the scene ofthe Knights Templar competl-
tive drill and Gilmore concert. The Mer.
chants Exchange held no session
in honor Of the event and the
released clerks as well as their
employers wasted little time in proceed.
Ing to the grounds. AS the morning
passed away the usually busy streets be-
came almost deserted, so many avaiied
themselves OF the OppOrtunityof contrib
uting TO the charitable cause, The only
class Of people present In the city who
did not generally attend the exercises
were the members of the Grand Encamp-
ment, whose meeting at IL O'Clock made
1T absolutely Impossible for them to leave
the city. They were represented, how
ever, by a few who obtained leave to alb
sent themselves from the meeting.
CRowDING THE GRAND STANDS.
HO"rs before the time for the grand
drtn xaynf fAh 60. ~
OF the day at the fair grounds. streams of
people began pouring through the gates,
and by 10 O'Clock the free stands were
more than half filed, while the grand and
other reserved stands were occupied by
hundreds. Ladies seemed tofoYm at least
half Cf the audience. The fair grounds.
which are among the finest in the world.
presented a beautiful appearance. The
rains OF yeeterdRy had oleansed every
thing, while the winds and bright sun
shine OF the morning had dried the grass
and rendered promenading q decided
pleasure, although the turf was a little
soft for the purpose OF drilling.
A MONSTER BAND STAND.
The huge platform erected within the
race track for the concert which was to
form, perhaps, the chief attraction OF the
dav, was gaily decorated with banners
and emblems, as were the grand stands,
booths. exhibit halls and the snowy tents
pitched on the lawn for the use of the
Communicates entered for the drill. The
bands and Communicates entered for the
drill were early on the grounds, and were
escorted to their positions by squadrone
from the local commanderies. By Ill
O'clock fully ten thousand spectators
were on the ground, and the stream OF
newcomers was unchecked and more
dense than ever.
ARRIVAL OF THE CoMMANDERIEs.
The Communicates, as they marched +.
the parade grounds, were received with
loud applause, which grew into tnmult
as those Of national repute appeared
Jackson No. o, of jackson, Mich, was the
first on the grounds, and the other COM
petltors in the drill came in the following
order: Detroit 10. l. OF Detroit, Mich,
Louisville No. I. OF Louisville, Ky. St.
Bernard No. 10, Of C5icago, De Maley No.
II, OF Louisville, Raper No. /, OF Indian
apolis, Ind. and Zion No. 2, Minneapolis.
Owing to the fact that no prizes or dIplo-
mas we're TO be awarded and no official
decision as TO the merits of the competi-
tion was TO be announced, the utmost
good feeling prevailed.
The competitive drill was a success,
and was witnessed by many thousands OF
persons. In the afternoon occurred the
great concert led by p. 5. Gilmore. A
conservative ebLlmaJe Oh Jne numDer OF
auditors would place IL at 5000, though
it was estimated as high as $50, 900. What
ever the actual number it was sufficient
10 prevent those on the outskirts OF tire
crowd from hearing much OF the music.
Among the pieces played were
the following: Concert polka for
cOrnets by 1873 cornetlsts with
accompaniment by the united
bands; columbia" by the united bands
with artillery accompaniment; 'Pil-
grim'b Chorus'' from |. lombard by 150
trombones, tenor horns, baritones and
euphOniums, accompanied by the united
bands; the "Anvil Chorus" performed
by the united bands and drum corps, with
an accompaniment of fifty anvils. To.
night the second illumination Of the city
occurred, continuing from O'Clock until
midnight. To-morrow's grand parade
will follow the plans made for the parade
interrupted Tuesday and promises TO
anonooafttl n uv0r1Id