The Portland daily press., 1891-12-14
THE GRAND ARMY FAIR.
The Brilliant Encampment ut City Hall
This Week.

This week.
On Monday next Boswerth Post No. 2,
u. A. r., will open its fair at City Hall,
Tor WHICH preparations have been making
Tor long time. 1t Is now ten years since
a fair was given under the auspices Of the
post for the benefit of its needy and de-
serving comrades. Two years ago the
ladies of the Relief Corps gave success
full fair fer tue monument fnnd, but no az
peal has been made for the benefit of
comrades since 1881.
During the past fifteen years the Post
has expended S2l 900 for deserving com
rades, an average OF something over 81,
600 annually. l, must be borne in mind
that our citizens who patronize this fair
and are liberal In their expenditures are
simply benetittng themselves because, if
any OF the comrades should become sub
1ecls Tor city aid, by recent statute these
old soldiers cannot be sent to the aims
house but must be supported In their own
homes by the taxpayers.
1t is pleasant to notice that the commit
tees who have been engaged in soliciting
articles for the fair have been very sue
cessful and the tables will be found pro-
vided with beautiful and useful things adj
mirably adapted for Christmas presents
and at remarkably reasonable prices since
there Is no first cost to be provided for.
Some handsome checks have been sent 10,
one in particular from X. John Little, the
result of the sale at lis store for tue fair.
III Is certain that our citizens will realize
the great work the post has undertaken
and do all in their power to puta liberal
sum in the treasury.
We gave Saturday an idea Of the arr ings-
ment Of the decorations Of the hall, the
style In which the booth tents would be
arranged-in the form of an encampment-
and the chairmen, with their lady attend
ants, who would have each tent in charge.
The post Office, in front of the stage, will
be in tie care of Postmaster Gertrude
Daniels, and her force of clerks will be
provided by the Society of Little Women.
Messengers will arrive at stated hours
with mail-bags, and the placards will APP
pear at intervals Northern mall Just ar
rived, ;" Western mail ready for delivery"
Letters and packages delivered to all
parts of the camp" The Cedar Greek,
where small investment will show large
returns, will be stationed on one side of
the post Office, and On the other the lemon
ade well. and it is limited that young vi
wanderers will fill their kegs at this well
and pass among the audience dispensing
the refreshing beverage for a considera-
ton. These three departments will repre-
sent the LIST, I'd and Sd divisions Of the
16 army corps, designated by fan
leaved badge, with octagonal centre. The
flower tent, pagoda- shaped, will occupy
the centre of the hali, ana the candy tent
will be close by. The grocery department,
or suffers tent, stove department and
shooting gallery will be under the charge
of the comrades. In the corridor the
lucky wheel will be found In the relic
room can be seen the great collection OF
the Fifth Maine Association, the Riggs
colonial collection, piece of the gangway
of the Hartford-Farragut's tiagship-the
flag made by Union soldiers in Salisbury
prison, the Loyal Legion collection, and
other matters Of interest.
The refreshment room. which will be
known as the "Commissary Department, !"
will be designated by spread eagle. The
room will be decorated by Capt. Brown,
the draperies furnished by Comrade f. G.
JohBstcn OF the firm of Ell. j. Bailey &
Co. The chairman, Mrs. s. H. Cannon.
will open this department at noon today,
when fine turkey dinner will be served
State street and West End churches will
furnish refreshments. Mrs. A. A. Lane
will snperintend the Ice cream room, which
will be open at all hours throughout the
day and evening
The main hall will be open to visitors at
6o'clock, but nor In the afternoon. In the
evening an opening address will be- de-
liyercd by Major, VIM. FL. Green; Mr.. E.
C.Swett will read an original poem, and
foe military entertainment will be given.
A committee will be in waiting at the
hall this morning after 9 O'Clock to re-
ceive contributions, and it is particularly
requested that all articles be for warded in
the forenoon Ii possible, as it is desired
that the tables DO arranged before the hall
is opened to the public.
The Ward committee request all per-
sons IN The ward VINO have us0n soliciting
for articles for the fair and have not al
ready sent them in. to do SO at once.
sending them TO CITY Hail TO the Ward Z
table 81 Corps bacgr), on the right OF the
main entrance. all