, 1889-11-07
THE G. A. R. FAIR.
A Successful First Night for the
Enterprise.
Opened with Speeches by Proml-
nent Veterans.
A Large Attendance P~atronizes
Booths and Supper Room.
An AuspIcIous oPENINa

nv aO6IANAOOo
The opening of the Grand Army fair
augurs well for the social and financial
success of the charitable project. There
was a big attendance last evening of city
and fort people and all enjoyed them
selves hugely.
The hall decorations were superb.
Flags and Chinese lanterns were every
where. The stage was especially hand
some. A big flag at the back was re-
lieved by a splendid portrait OF John f.
Reynolds.
FORMALLY CONVENED.
Gen. j. w. Fisher, chairman for the
evening, opened the fair by stating its
purpose. The proceeds were to be de-
voted, he said, to relieving the wants of
distressed veterans during the winter. He
paid a glowing tribute to his old COM
mander, John F. Reynolds, in whose
honor this post was named.
GOVERNOR WARREN.
Comrade Warren. the governor, was
presented by Gen. Fisher as the veteran
to welcome the patrons of the fair. He
was gratified to observe the interest al
ready shown in the fair by the citizens.
They we're extending it patronage as a
of duty and would derive pleasure
from well doing. The G.. A r. was a So
ciety peculiar to itself. n that could not
be recruited from citizens generally and
one that included the noble souls who had
battled for the preservation of the Union.
Their loyalty was a proverb and their
bravery had never been questioned. The
G.. A. R. membership was diminishing
and it was the duty of true citizens to re-
spect and care for the survivors. The
aroused the patriotism Of his
hearers. His reference to Wyoming
statehood was greeted with applause.
This fair was a charitable enterprise and
the speaker trusted that the reputation OF
Cheyenne people for generosity would
not suffer.
GEN. MINER.
Gen. Miner received a friendly greet
ing from the audience. The purpose of
this gathering, he said, was a grand and
one. The loyal Christian ladies of
The city had contributed their genial tails
manic influence to the fair, and its success
was at once assured. He spoke of the
dark cloud which enveloped the fate of
the Union at the opening of the rebellion
end of the grand service of the yolun-
teers and regulars. Gen. MINERS battle
descriptive was vivid and inspired the
veterans with enthusiasm. Mention Of
great generals was applauded. The Fort
Russell conmandant has a tenacious
memory and reviews wal history admir-.
ably.
COMMANDER FISHER.
The next speaker was Thos. M. Fisher.
commander of the department and the
local G. A. r. post. He spoke of the
of the war and the organization of
the G. A. R., which had grown from an
association of seven men to a great
army Of 100000 men, 5000 of whom
in the wide west. He said that
the treasury of this post had been de-
pleted in well doing and that it con-
sidered a word to the generous Cheyenne
public sufficient.
DIR. BRIGHT.
Rev. s. A. Bright, pastor of the Meth
odist Episcopal church, faced the audi
ence from the rostrum. He, as a man
too young to have participated in the
struggle, felt embarrassed in the presence
of the honored veterans. Rev. Bright
hoped he would not become ratified as the
circuit rider who Jumped twenty feet
from the wharf to catch a boat Just ap-
preaching. Mr.. Bright spoke OF the de-
velopment of warriors and was especially
complimentary to the wonderful genius of
Sheridan. Like Gen. Miner, the speaker
spoke Of the certainty of statehood and,
said he would sooner be a young man in
broad Wyoming than a p~otentate across
the waters. He closed in an earnest APP
peal for patronage to the fair.
The rendition OF Judge CAROLS special
poem was postponed TO this evening.
THE BOOTHS.
Mrs. +. L. Robinson presided at the
fancy goods booth and had displayed an
artists taste in decorating the place with
beautiful specimens of her handiwork.
There was a large crowd about this booth
all evening and through the efforts Of
Mrs. Robinson the sales of fancy articles
we're heavy. The pieces of hand paint
ing. embroidery and needlework shown
were certainly very fine. These articles
were contributed to the fancy goods table:
Elegant cut glass and silver drinking set,
Harry P. Hynds; book and album,
Rhodes & Troxell; plush toilet set, Mrs.
f. l.. Robinson; smoking set, Theo. Lin
ton; plush album. Walker Bros; hand
painted shaving case and photograph
case, Mrs. j. NJ. Carey; sofa cushion,
Mrs. N. j. O'Brien; field glasses, P. Ber-
gersen; scrap book, Geo. L. Holt; silver