Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-10-09
CHICAGO'S DAY OFF
The Windy City Goes to See
the Exposition.
ENTHUSIASTS LOOK FOR A MILLION


When the Turnstiles Give Their Report
Tonight-Tens of thousands from Other
Points Help Swell The Throng-EaiI-
ways Taxed to Their Utmost Capacity
with Visitors to the Great Show-Prom-
inent Features of the Programme That
Marks the Greatest Day of the Fair.
CHICAGO, Oct. 9.-It goes without saying
that Chicago day at the Worlds fair will
knock the persimmon," rain or shine
that it will be the champion day so for as
attendance is concerned nobody doubts, and
that in point of outside attractions it is
gorgeous and inimitable will not be denied
indeed It would be hi Oh treason to do So
By any Chicagoan or "Chicagoenne;" on
the contrary the assertion will be
| stoutly maintained by all residents
of the exposition city. As to attendance,
the gates were open this morning at $50
o'clock, and the turnstiles were going as
soon as open; aud they have kept it up to
the present writing in n amer that sets
the enthusiastic on attendance to estimat-
ing million before the throngs are all in
side.
Would BE Satisfied With Half.
will be satisfied with half million and
who honestly believe the figures will reach
that aggregate. The calculations of those
who are still less ION the boom" will be
amply satisfied if the figures go over those
, of the biggest day at the Paris exposition,
which were something over 3S0,000 There
are certainly more people in the city to-
day than there ever were before. Never
in their history Were the railways so taxed
as they We're Saturday and Sunday. Not
passenger car was idle and it is esti-
mated that the number of passengers
brought TO the city between Saturday
morning and this morning was 800, 900,
nearly all coming to the fair Added to
this great army We're the people of this
city Of every rank. Many merchants gave
/ their'cierks holiday and a ticAet TO the
fair. Some of the banks gave their en-
ployes two each.
They Came from Everywhere.
1t was a holiday in town about every
where. 1t was also a holiday in towns
which had connection by rail with Chi
cago. Railway station officials at St. Louis
said the city was about depopulated, so
! many were going t&the Windy City. And
it was very similar in many other cities
and towns. Chicago was at the fair today
that much is certain. Her citizens re-
membered that it was the anniversary Of
that tremendous baptism of fire from which
the present splendid metropolis has arisen,
and they kept the day by the tens of thou
sands at the park which in itself as it
stands the site of the White City is abun-
dant evidence of the wealth aud energy of
the western metropolis.
Celebration Begins Sunday.
No 4a. l. = hn aa,lal alra- lou
yesterday. For there was a bigger attend
ance than for any Sunday since the expo
sition opened. Chicago was in fact so
full of people that they had to 90 some
where. and in spite of the closed condition
Of the fair buildings many went TO the
park and got acquainted with its geogra
ply, as it were. Then number of state
buildings were open and invited the calls
of people from their states. The Midway
was crowded, and when it is crowded ii is
a show itself TO the men and women who
like to see their fellow creatures enjoy
ing themselves The Art building was also
crowded, but the covered exhibits in the
other buildings attracted very few. Al
together it was very good overture to
the greatest day of the fair" which to-
day is called already by Chicagoans. The
paid attendance yesterday was Ss,O45
Wagering on a Million.
Even wagers have been made that 1,000,
900 tickets will be sold for Chicago day.
The exposition authorities printed 100000
souvenir coupon tickets which are good
for Chicago day only. Nearly 200,000 of
these tickets had been sold by Saturday
night, the bulk being taken by employers
of labor in Chicago, who gave them to
their employees Whatever may be the
official figures it Is certain at this wri ting
that Chicago day is gigantic success, and
that inside the gates of the White City is
massed today the greatest number of peo-
pie ever brought together at one time on
the American continent anywhere.
The royal pageant, which will give the
day an undying place in Chicago's history,
began early and ends at midnight.