Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-02
THE CLOSING HOURS. Last Day at the Cotton States and International Exposition. RATHER SLIM ATTENDANCE Two Buildings and the Chute Remains-Mayor
 King and President Coier-The
 Show a Success.

thing of the past The 100 days of car nival and sightseeing, amusement and instruction in Georgia's chief city have come to successful end. With the de- populated exposition grounds and the ab- sent throngs of visitors, who jostled each other in the streets and stampeded the hotels and depot Atlanta will look like a small boy with his papa's clothes on, so noticeable will the shrinkage be.
 The night before last it ralned iR At lanta, but stiff cold wind set in and froze the ground and cleared the skies of rain clouds. The next morning (yes- terday) State Herald reporter reached the city just as old Sol jumped into the horizon with his genial warmth How ever the morning breezes still cut biting blast about noses and ears, de- spite the fact that the sun protested with his warm rays. It was the closing day and nearly all of the visitors had departed. Early in the morning exhib- itors put In an appearance at the ex- position grounds They were making such preliminary preparations towards removal as would expedite the taking away of exhibits today. Some of them wanted to extend the exposition thirty days, while others sneered at the idea. The general impression among At lanta people seemed to be that they were
 
 not that they were dissatisfied with it's success. but rather that they preferred to rest on the laurels of a certain suc-. cess. A
 A very thin attendance of visitors ann bled through the mud on the grounds yesterday. The woman's building was the most popular resort, but even there the women managers looked care-worn and anxious.
 The Ferris wheel on Midway Heights turned slowly over and over, but it had no passengers in the carriages. Indeed the weather was too crimpy even for the man who had opened his lids with cork and flask. Other attractions on the Mid- way made din and clamorouS appeals to the attention; all save the merry-go-. round, which was dismantled, ready for shipment. The couchee-eouchee, Turkish harem, Mahoney village, Indian village, Streets of Cairo, Persian beauties and other attractions were still in the fight to the finish. The chute did good bus- ness. All of the tardy visitors to the great show felt in duty bound obligated. to descend the incline and make the wild jump on the lake. This attraction, it is said, has netted good receipts to it's man.. agement and will be retained in Atlanta. The other attractions except the animal show, which winters in Atlanta, will scat ter, some to New York, others to Califor- mia and the Indians to North Dakota.
 The Buildings. -.
 The New York building has been do- mated to the Piedmont Driving club, who will use it as permanent quarters.
 The Plant Systm building will re- main, but it's exhibit will be transferred to Nashville. A-,
 Unless congress makes an appropria7 ton for transferring the government building to Nashville it will probably be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The general opinion is that congress will not make the appropriation.
 The other buildings which were do- mated to the exposition association will be disposed of by President Collier as he deems best. A recent meeting of the di rectors conferred on him extensive lat itude in winding up the affirs of the as- sociation.
 At any rate it is believed that the ham, mer and the saw will soon remove the structures that made up the exposition
 Exhibitors.
 Domestic exhibitors want to get away with their goods as soon as possible, especially medal winners.
 The Pullman Car company has noti- fled President Collier that they want the palatial train, which was admired by thousands of people, as soon as con nection can be made with the railroads, and they have also asked the Southern railroad to make the connections at once.
 The Louisville and Nashville, Plant System and others have similar requests on file.
 Foreign exhibitors are willing to grant more time, as they are anxious to sell their goods rather than go to the ex- pense of return freightage.
 Trouble in E<e Family.
 Mayor King wants $7500 in cash from President Collier on behalf of the expo sition. The mayor claims that amount is
 1xxrxr xiAI, was furnished the exposition on the city's note, with the understanding that $7500 should be returned to the city for police and fire protection. The mayor claims that the money has not been, paid, and he says that unless the remittance comes today he will withdraw the police and fire protection from the exposition grounds. This is perplexing It will create a fur " among exhibitors. Some hold the opinion that in case of loss by fire or theft the city would be liable in dam ages. All who heard of the mayors &C., tion wanted to know what the trouble was and it ia said that Mayor King incl dentally stated that he and other city au- thorities had not been treated with prop CT consideration and courtesy by Presi- dent Collier. It is said he claims that he was obliged to wait twenty-five minutes for a business interview with the presi- dent on one occasion when that gentle mans once was reduy oL dccesS lo ul- rectors and other exposition officials The mayor was sore, it is said, and now does not feel inclined to extend courte- sies
 President Collier. it is said, claims that he has no recollection of ever offer ing an affront to the city's chief execu- tive. He would not state anything further.
 The Wind Up.
 Late yesterday afternoon, just about dusk, the illuminated fountain was set to work, just to show departing visitors how the grand finale would occur. It was very pretty. At 12 o'clock the expo sition closed in earnest and the tale of Atlantas plucky undertaking was told. Told to the world, no matter what the average man may expect for 50 cents, that a plucky city populated with broad. home-loving people. had undertaken and successfully consummated a stupendous