The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-16
GREAT SHOW OF INDUSTRY
The Indiana State Fair Promises. This
Year, to Eclipse Its Fine Record.
Glance at improvements Made in Grounds
and Buildings. and Some of the Exhibits
That Will Be Especially Attractive.

The Indiana State fair opens tomorrow. II
preparation and an unusual large number OF
entries indicate the success that is to follow,
the fair this year will exceed in attractveness
any ever hold in the West The agricultural
board has used it's best efforts toward accom-
plishing this result. Superintendent Lockhart
has been giving the Improvement of the grounds
and buildings his personal supervision for sew
eral weeks. The race-trsck has been changed in
such a way as no, only to afford the
horsemsn better facilities for speeding, but
the new arrangement is such as to enable bet
ter view of the races. The old amphtheater
has been replaced by a new and costly structure.
In addition. noticeable Improvement viii be at
once observed entering the grounds, in the
removal of the old machinery hall
from opposite the entrance. which,
heretofore, has INSTRUCTED great
portion of the view Of the main grounds. New
stalls have also been erected. valuable improve
meuts have been made in the exposition build
ing and general overhauling has taken place,
such a. to impress the visitor, this year. that
everything has heen SO changed as to practically
give new grounds.
That the fair will be great success lie not
doubted. The perfectness of everything assures
much A leading feature will be the Womans
Department. 1t will be found that this depart
msnt will excel all of its previous exhibits.
Entries have been coming IN for several weeks
past BY mail, as high as 100 letters
q day being received, and besides
Q large number Of personal entries have been
made at the secretary's office. Those who have
seen the preparations giving on In this depart
ment unite IN saying tlat the exhibit will be
both unique ana exter sive. Tho department
will, the management think. be crowded with
visitors each day OF the fair, and will be the
subject OF much favorable comment Every
available space has been assigned, the books
having been closed on Friday. The promise of
the stock exhibit was never 90 good. All the
horse stalls numbering $50, are occupied by an
imas from the best breeds In the country. There
are 200 cattle stalls Sll OF which are taken.
Over 200 fine swine breeds already on the
grounds, and the 100 sheep stalls have been
cupied for several days with the finest speci-
mems from all parts Of the State and country.
An unusually large display Of farm implements
and products Of the soil will be given. 1t
il said that never in the history Of the
Indiana State fair there as many
exhibits in the implements department Every
foot Of space has been assigned. There are IN
this city alone eighteen carriage firms making
NJ exhibit this year. The grain exhibit will be
the best for many years The fruit department
is to be very fine display and has never been ex-
celled. Florists Of the city have a large snace
and their display Is most beautifully and ar
tistically arranged.
No greater interest In . fair has ever been
taken by the merchants than at this time. The
interior of the exposition building will contain
exhibits from almost every branch Of business
In the city. Drygcods, clothing, carpets. hard
ware, boots and shoes, wall raper, decorative
art, art paintings, sewing machines, groceries,
are abundant and well arranged. The
music houses also have a large space,
every part of which il taken, and
during the fair the visitors will have an oppor-
tunity OF hearing as fine music as was ever
given. Wednesday night Miss Ida Swseny and
Mrs. H Barmeier, both OF whom rank among
the finest soprano singers in the State, will sing
solos. Miss Angela Maxwell. who has been liv-
ing here but short time, but has already at
tracted attention by her abilities as pianist,
will play piano solo. Mr.. G.. +. Hughes, .
well-known baritooe singer Of Charlottesville,
and Rev. Henry Ket:ham, fine tenor from
Michigan, are also on the programme for solos,
and Dir. Chss. Hanson. the organist at the Ne
ridian-street Church, Will delight the public
with selection on the organ. In addition 10
the above the Mendelssohn Society will render
Mildes exquisite Spring Waltz and Pare
well TO the Forest" ana FIRST Day of Spring
o trio of Mendelssohn's most charming songs,
without accomplishments
There was never more attention given to the
races. The purses are larger, and a number OF
the most coted horses or the country are TO en-
tor. The amphitheater is arranged that it
will be impossible for any obstruction TO prevent
q full view Of the track throughout its entire
distance. The south end of the structure Is back
twenty fest and the north forty feet from the
track. Those who desire TO chat with friends
will find the space between the track aud am-
phitheater very convenient for their purpose.
Seats will be arranged In tiers leading down
from the building, and all desiring TO go below
will be granted that privilege free OF charge.
There will be no collisions at the entrance this
year, as the gate II so arranged that when one
side is opened it invariably closes the other.
Everyons comedies the fact that the Indiana
State fair is fast reaching tie climax of success