The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-14
OPENING OF THE FAIR.
CONDITIONS UNFAvORhBLE AND a
SMALL CROWD ATTENDANCE.
Mar, af tho Exhibits Were Not In Place.
But Those In Place fossesse"
Good Deal OF Merit

Tho annual Virginia state Fair 'nre"
open its doors to the public !es''''"'
,,oru;,s. unae. most unfavoraoie CONF
tons A cold, penetrating ram was 49,,
from q lcaden sky. and a scaIcn'"s 81 The ,bc
ADDED TO the disasreeapic ""'"'0
atmospheric conditions 49,. o,-,rogate
very small crowd In inc rs, I'm
went out 10 the erodins 80, ,,.o,thcr
~, douhtlcss deferred by tne N' 49,
80 a. nc afternoon the gathering -,
anel mn somewhat. being drawn '..'s 49,.
nx tho excellent racing programme
had been arranged. -. ,,.as n
Owe ~ the features Of the day wa ~
have been an address ny ~" o.. ,hc
Isvcrin.. Prohibition candidate i0'
p,csidcncv who had arranged 10 SPIN
nj ~ o'clock in the Auditorium. "a, =.
ering. accompanied by Row ~. ~
Tudor. pastor OF Centenary 'hu'''', III
several friends. was promptly %"
mt n soon became evident that an "u-
'y,",|e of any size could not be bo''sh
-orcthcr from among the shiNerins i'o.''o
- vycre on the grounds. The 'pe""i"T
US therefore, abandoned Tor the H'"0
being. ,,.,
,rbore are many features among 'he
cxhiblts which would warrant n WISH W
the grounds Especially 10 ~ nollc'a arc
the numerous and interesting Iaooi CAV
ing devices TO be found In Machinery
Hall. and also the very hne eA"lDit VI
carriages huegics, jumpers and wagons
,r,do bv Nfessrs w &. smith Co.
David 4. Ainsiic. Benjamin Il. trump
co. Richmond Wagon Manufacturing
Company Richmond Agricultural imph-
ment Company and the MNburn wagon
Company. OF Toledo. Ohio.
The exhibit Of Ar. David y. Ainshc is
worthy OF special mention lie displays
tasty vehicles Of every description inc
quality Of which from their appearance
must be Of the very best.
In other portions Of the building a great
many tasteful exhibits are arranged, and
there are several restaurants. where APP
yetizing lunches can bo obtained. one OF
these restaurants is under tho charge or
Mrs j. II. Gin. the faithful aud energetic
superintendent OF the Male Orphan Asy-
ium. Mrs. Gill should receive the patron
age OF every ono who obtains a. meal
out al the grounds. FOR two reasons. The
meals served by her are tempting, ape
petizins and cheap. and the money aris-
Ing from the sale Of her wares will be
devoted 10 the rebuilding of the Male
Orphan Asylum.
success of tho opening day was the fact
that a number OF the exhibitors had not
arranged their booths Some Of them
were busily at work fitting up their
spaces. bat others made no effort ycstcr-
day 10 get thcir exhibits I'm shape. The
cold. disagrocahic weather had a doprcss-
ing effect upon every one. and threw a
great dampor upon the spirits OF those
who have been struggling to make the
Exposition success.
LIVE STOCK DEPARTMENT.
Although there were a number Of empty
spaces in the portions of the building
reserved FOR poultry and dogs. the MEM
bcrs of the fcathcrCd tribe exhibited
chickens, gecnso. ducks. turkeys. and
piscons-wcrc very fine specimens Of their
kind. In fact. representatives, of the dit
icrent SPECIES OF domestic animals,
though not very numerous reflected
credit upon those who raised them.
The inclcmcnt weather prevented the
fakirs. of whom there were a number
knocking about the grounds. from ply
ing their trade. but the tin-type artists,
lroprietors of Mamma. the "Woolly Girl
end the Conoy Island sausage vonder
We're doing business at the old stand re-
inforced by the peanuts and hot, roasted
chestnut dealers.
Sergeant George W. Epps. OF the Third
district, i'm command OF a squad of DO
lice, among whom were officers Ever
EFT BEDFORD. and Tom Wren, kept the
best Of order on the grounds. as is us
ualiy the case when these efficient guar
dams of the peace are keeping vieiL
Among the interesting ana curious in
vcntions displayed WAS the bicycle mer-
ry-go-round. invented by Policeman Bran
nan, which has been rugged up in the
main building Fifteen bicycles are used
in this device.
one of the strongest features Of the
Exposition is the large display Of bicycles
made by Richmond dealers. In this line
Messrs. Julius Meyers & Sons. whose
booth is one OF the handsomest I'm the
building. have e. number of fine wheels
displayed which they offer for sale at
q remarkably low price.
Ono of the most attractive exhibits in
the building is that Of Lakeside Park.
Many rare and beautiful birds are ox-
hihited in little PONDS that have been
especially erected for them. Quite num-
her Of dogs arc I'm kennels, and several
pigeon lofts are crowded with fancy
pigeons.
Secretary w. C. Owens IS confident that
by this morning everything will be in
good shape and If the weather is clear
will endoavor TO see that an who attend
SHAH get the worth Of their money.
The annual meeting OF the officers OF
the association will be held this morn
ing. The usual business will he trans
acted and officers elected. Some action
will be taken in regard TO the debt Of the
society.