The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-20
PRICE. TWO CENTS
THE BIG FAIR.
A Busy Scene Presented
at the Exposition
Grounds.
WORKING HARD 10 GET THINGS IN
SHIP SHAPE.
The Progress Made So Far.

A visit TO the Exposition grounds aud
buildings presents scene of bustle and
activity The continuous rain OF the
past two weeks have naturally greatly
retarded the management in their efforts
TO get everything in ship shape, and OK
hibitors in their arrangements for plac-
ing their various exhibits in position.
All are now working with a vim, how
ever, and before the opening day arrives
no doubt the arrangements will be so far
perfected as to enable an exceedingly
creditable exhibition 10 be made UE-
fortunately it seems to be fated that In
all these expositi0ns something
should occur to delay the plans
until after the time set for the in
auguration. The two Atlanta expositions
were not In irst-class running order for
several days after the opening, while the
New Orleans great Worlds Fair WAS
weeks behind time before II was really
in full blast II anything at all OF tho
sort occurs here in Richmond, 1t will be
but very slight embarrassment. due en-
tirely TO the exceedingly unfavorable
weather which has prevailed so long aud
just at the very busiest time with
IudUtKtIS tuu tOuttlutI. w I'LL LNu
weeks Of fair weather, il will be aston
ishing to note the changes that will take
place, aud even in the next few days tha
main building will be filed as II by
magic,
WORK NOW BEING DONE.
The finishing strokes have been put on
the building, and now exhibits are daily
onf,;pr In fraolu GOaca fcr tkn cnxiD,,,
exhibits has been marked off, and each
one interested is working actively to
get his displays In place. About the
busiest man on the grounds Is Mr..
Robert Hill, Jr., who has purchased the
refreshment privileges. He is putting up
a handsome soda fountain in the very
centre Of the main building, which will
be the first object TO attract the eye on
entering the middle door, and will, no
doubt, pour forth nickles very lib
orally In his pocket. He is also hard at
work fixing up his lunch and refreshment
stands The space for the post
office has been marked of,
good deal of the machinery Is on
the grounds ready to be placed In posi-
tion, the music hall has heen filed with
seats aud handsomely decorated, while
Messrs. Saks & Co Allen & Ginter. the
Richmond Stove Works and number of
others of our business firms have their
signs over their respective locations.
Where each one is working so hard
there is no calculating what will be &c
complished even in single day.
THE RACE TRACK.
The greatest source of anxiety so far
has been the race track, the rains pre-
venting satisfactory work from being
done on ii. 1t will be "a half-mile para
bola sixty-ti feet wide. The races will
not come off until October OH, more
than two weeks hence In that time the
track will he well tuFfed and rolled, and.
with anything like good weather, will be
in excellent condition.
TRANSPORTATION.
There will be no lack Of transportation
to the grounds. The hardest work on
the street railways Is about finished. and
track laying on both the Coney Island
dummy line and the Manchester Railway
and Improvement Company ought to
proceed with great rapidity. Cars on all
the lines should be running to the
grounds with ease in the next TWO weeks.
There will also be the usual number OF
private carriages, and with them all
there will be no difficulty in reaching the
Exposition at any hour Of the day.
ACCOMMODATIONS FoR VISITORS.
Mr. 5. II Bowman, chairman of the
committee Of furnishing information to
visitors, says be has applications in to
accommodate 5000 people to date, and
number Of Others have signified their
willingness 10 take boarders. He thinks
he will have accommodations for 10000
people outside OF the hotels All that
have not sent in their lists will please do
so by Friday evening, 80 Mr.. Bowman
can put the lists in tie hands of the
printer Saturday for publication.
Mr. Bowman also requests all persons
as soon as their houses are filed to notify
him at once, in order that he may make
elsewhere.
Mr. 5. II. Bowman is also agent of the
United States Express Company and
Baltimore and Ohio Express Company,
and says he will open his Office in the
main building for business Monday
morning aud his wagons will make four
trips per day between the city and the
grounds.
LOOKING WELL.
Altogether the outlook is excellent and
promises a successful display from begin
ming to end There will be any number
OF attractions both within and without
the buildings and grounds, and Rich
mond will soon begin to assume quite
gala appearance.