Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1894-03-11
Our Fair Letter.
Special correspondent IsDErxxDE.r.I

I Special correspondent I~sDErExDEEr.I
SAN FRAScrscn, March. 5. 1884,
The first legal holiday strewn IN the
path OF the rapidly advancing Mid
winter FAIR wns the memorable
Washiugconis birthday.
Generally We celebrate by having a
large military parade. but not 50 on
this occasion. The soldiers all took
a holiday aud $3.50 people went 10
tho Fair.
The geand international parade was
tho first number on the Official pro-
gramme. 1t consisted OF eight hun
dred people, each nationality dressed
IN the typical costume Of his country.
IL wound about the many roads, in
and out among the concessions, like
a large serpent OF many colors, The
Indians appeared in all their feath-
ers and warplini, as il they we're 10
appear in a ghost dance or a Sho-
shone Indian f%andango. The Arabs.
Egyptians, Chinese, Esquimau1, Ha-
Saiians, Japanese aud all European
n~ationaiities we're in line, and every
concession on the grounds was repre-
sented
Al two o'clock the population Of
Sunset city gathered within the
enclosure Of Tie Vienna Prater to
witness tho balloon ascension und
parachute leap which proved 70 be
very successful.
a grand display of fireworks, which
l can hardly describe, took place in
tho evening. The main features
were three large set pieces: One
representing Old Glory in the red,
white and blue and gold stars; the
second was a large wreath surmount-
ed by n bear representing the land Of
sunshine, fruit and flowers, and tho
third wa tho head Of George WISH
ington,
These were all set of in many
colored lights md the band played an
appropriate uir after each display.
Tho search light that surmounts
the electric tower Sas operated for
the first time on this occasion. 1t ia
five feet ia diameter end on n clear
night can light up an object at q dis
tance Of ten miles.
Closely following Washington's
birthday vas a3other big day Tor the
Fnir. The oath OF February as we'll
Us everything within the grounds, DO.
lonEed 10 the children. II is very
remarkable us we'll as fortunate that
not ono out OF forty thousand chill
dren met with an accident, although
hundreds OF them managed TO oiudo
the vigilance OF parents aud teaehers.
am very sorry to write that very
little improvement has been mado in
exhibits in the Nevada State building
II 10 either the Sant OF interest or
lack OF material, l feol undecided to
nay which. Frequent remarks can
DO heard On tho grounds not very
complimentary TO the commissioners
and l hope they will bcstir tEolu-
solves for the honor OF tho State.
Tho building 10 really fine, although
slightly distant from tho Fair contcr,
and with I'M exhibit in such variety
OF products us tho State 10 noted for,
n DO made attractive.
Tho Mystic Maze ia ono OF tho most
attractive and amusing places 10 tho
Fair grounds. II ia an arrangement
OF aisles formed by hundreds OF mir
rors 81 olcar that tho only way n per.
son can tell ID is when ho walks into
II. The plnce Ia easy enough 10 get
into, but with n turn n person gcts
lost. There Ia no danger Of not get.
ting ont as tho entire place 10 only
about thirty five ioet equnro. Every
II entering IL, geis confused and
cnn not tell whot!ier no roully eocs
his friend or his reflection in n mir.
ror only. This concession seems 10
DO n ~fayorite rendezvous for ladies.
On tho third OF March Vermonters
turned out in n large body to colo.
brate tho first State day Mt tho Fair.
Tho work on the electric tower wns
pnshed forward and completed FOR
this OCCASION, and three thousand red
and white incnndeeoont lights shono
forth In all thor glory. A grand bnn-
quot at midday followed oy speeches
and u display oi fireworks in the
evening wore tho principal orders OF
the day. Ono OF tho sct pieces in
particular 10 vol worth mention,
namely, tho bust OF Governor Fu lor
OF Vermont, which wns about twenty
Two feet high aud In many oolors.