Omaha daily bee., 1896-08-21
GETTING GROUNDS IN SHAPE
State Fair Managers Propose to Be Ready
When Opening Day Comes.
LOOKING TO THE COMFORT OF VISITORS
improvements tBeinE Made mt the
Are Of n Most Sub
%stantia1 + Kind New
Bui1diatEs Erected,

Everybody having any connection with
the state fair proposes to be ready when
the gates are thrown open this year. The
grounds now present a busy appearance.
The Board Of Managers has a large force
of men at work putting the grounds and
buildings in readiness to receive the exhib-
its. There are a large number of changes
being made, dictated by the experience of
last year. The most important is the erec-
ton of 120 new pens for the hog department.
The accommodations in this line were in
adequate to the demands made upon them
last season. but the additions will, it is
thought, do away with any difficulty this
fall. The roofs of the sheep pens have
been lowered and the alleyways have been
rooted over. Some minor changes are being
made in a number Of the buildings. The
most important are in the administration
building, by means of which it is hoped
TO facilitate the transaction of business.
An office Is also being constructed for the
superintendent of the agricultural machin-
cry department, which will be a great con
venience to exhibitors. Another improve
ment which will be greatly appreciated by
the parties who will use 1t is a stand for
the reporters who are assigned to the races.
This is to be alongside of the judges stand
and will give them ample facilities for get
ting correct reports of the races without
bothering the judges. The ventilation of
the art building will be improved. Last
year the air in that building was sitting
when a crowd gathered, but the changes
Will make 1t one of the most pleasant on
the grounds
Parties who have leased privileges propose
to be ready for the crowds this year as
soon as they commence to gather. On all
parts of the ground allotted to them gangs
of men are already at work putting up
stands, and from present indications there
will be no dearth of refreshments on the
grounds.
PLENTY OF WATER.
Another improvement that will be appre-
ciated by all who visit the grounds is the
improvement in the water supply. The
scarcity of water was one of the greatest
annoyances last year. What was supposed
to be ample provisions had been made, but
they proved to be entirely inadequate. This
year there will be no difficulty on that
score. as additional wells have been put
down and the water service otherwise i'm
proved to meet all possible contingencies.
The greatest improvement that will be
noticed by visitors who attended the fair
last year has been made in the grounds
themselves. Last year the grounds were
new and in all directions was to be seen
bare ground, where the graders had just
finished putting things in shape to render it
possible to hold a fair. This last spring
the grounds were all seeded down and now
the only spots of bare ground to be seen
are on the track and in the driveways and
walks. This not only makes the grounds
much more attractive, but In case the wind
blows very much, more comfortable. Such
clouds of dust would be an impossibility
this year, even IL the weather conditions
had not rendered it highly improbable that
any discomfort would arise from that source.
Trees have also been planted everywhere
and. while it will be several seasons before
they will provide any shade, they serve to
relieve the monotony of the surroundings
and to deprive the grounds of that new look
which is always oppressive. Instead of a
plot of ground which, save for the build
ings, was a barren waste last season, the
State fair grounds have in one year as
sumed the appearance of a beauty spot
which will continue to grow more beautiful
as the years go by.
The track has been kept constantly in con-
dition for racing ever since early in the spring
and now is one Of the finest in the United
States. Not a day goes by that some work
is not done on 1t and it is difficult to see
how it could be improved upon. With the
high class of horses which will be present
some sensational racing is confidently eX-
pected.
With the fine buildings with which the
grounds were furnished last year and the
improvements in the grounds themselves
made this year those who attend the Ne
braska State fair will not only see an eX-
hibit that will not be surpassed anywhere,
but they will be able to enjoy themselves
as well, as there is not an Objectionable
feature which the experience of last year
suggested which has not been remedied.
The Union Veterans Republican club will
meet at Patterson's hall, corner of 18th and
Farnam streets. Saturday evening, August
%. A full attendance is requested. Good
speakers, etc. j. S. Miller, president.
An urgent meeting of the Woman's Christ
ian association will be held this afternoon.
The hour is promptly at 2 o'clock, on account
of the funnrnl at the Hama nt . n,nlnn1.