The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-21
THE FAIR FORMALLY OPENED.
FIRST REGIMENTS BAZAAR A BRIL-
LIANT SCENE.


Their Friends - The Company
Booths and the Ladies In Charge.
The Fair Programme.
The First Regiments fair was formally
opened at the Guards hall at O'Clock
last night, after some two months hard
work on the part Of the members of the
regiment and their friends in preparing
for it,
The regiment assembled at $50 O'Clock
at the armory under command OF Col.
A. r. Lawton and marched to the hall.
The men were without arms. When the
Guards armory was reached the regiment
was drawn up in line. The companies
were then faced to the right and marched
around to the Charlton street entrance.
The band preceded, and the regiment
marched up the stairway and into the hall.
Drawn up to the right of the door TO the
hall, stood the guard detail for the night
from the Republican Blues Company a.
with Lieut. w. L. Grayson officer of the
guard. Col. Lawton, with his staff, stood
near the center of the hall and several
PAGES in front Col. George A. Mercer, who
was to formally open the talr.
The battalion commander entered first
and were followed by the Oglethorpe
Light Infantry, tn, regimental band play
ing lei Captain" Then in regular order
came the Irish Jasper Greens, the Repub
lican Blues, the Savannah Cadets and the
German Volunteers, this order having
been adopted to facilitate the companies
gaining their places in front of
their booths The commands passed
around the hall to the right,
marching between Col. Lawton
and col. Mercer. When each com
pany had reached it's assigned station, the
order "uncover!' was given and was fol-
lowed by parade rest" at which position
Hhe regiment stood while listening TO
Col. MERGERS brief opening address
Col. Mercer addressed the members OF
the regiment as MY old comrades and al
WAYS friends" He referred to the work
that had been done for the fair and the
complimentary evidence of the energy ana
enthusiasm of that work, shown IN the
beautiful surroundings. he mentioned
the efforts of the ladies in behalf OF the
companies, and warmly eulogized the Ialr
friends of the regiment. 1t Is only with
the help Of the gentler sex, said Col. Mercer
that any undertaking is a success. he
smoke of the pride he felt in standing be-
fpre HE friends of the First Regiment to
omen a fair that they were sure to make
a success He paid a glowing tribute 70
tbA manly and soldierly quantities OF the
command and then declared the talr open
ed. The regiment was called 10 altehtloH'
and the captains were ordered 10 DISMISS
their companies. The men then scatter-
ed about the hall, mingling with those
he fair begun
est. 49,.
The Young ladies' and gentlemen at once
commenced their work the first in behalt
of their faVorlte companies, and the sec
ond for their commands. A generous
rivalry Is felt among all the companies
to run their receipts highest, ana edcn win
do earnest work in the hope of succeeding
There is one company that is usually men
toned as being most likely to be the lead
or hut there are two others whose mem
bers always shake their heads and say
"weIl show them about that.
All the booths are complete, ana the nan
is a scene of beauty, with its handsomely
decorated stands loaded with costly anu
beautiful articles.
Mrs A. r. Lawton's booth in the CEN
ter is conceded to be the handsomest. 1t
is more elaborate in design than the oth-
ers. and more was spent in its construc-
ton. but it does not so far surpass the
others as to throw them into nslghln-
canoe.
The Oglethorpes are on the left of the
entrance to the hall. Their quarters are
attractive and a scene of hustle and en-
ergy. Articles are in profusion. The Ia
dies in charge are Mrs. G.. w Anderson,
president of the committee, Mrs. -. >.
Derby Mrs. G. Y Richardson, Mrs. Kent,
Mrs. Griner and Misses Alberta Derby, l..
p. Ferguson, G.. B. Ferguson, Mamie Cox,
T. McTaws and IilV Girard. Among
some of the most prominently displayed ar
tcles at the Oglethorpes' booth are
a ladys bicycle, a silver hand-mirror,
some exquisite fancy work. A bride
doll and an "Oglethorpe" doll, diminu-
tive soldier in the Oglethorpe's uniform,
| are also to be seen.
The Irish Jasper Green's booth, presided
over by Mrs. John Flannery, Mrs. P. f.
Gleason Mrs John Sullivan and MRS.
| Raphael T. Semmes, Is next to the OSle-
thorpes' and is decked in the colors of the
| Greens-green and buff. Among the hand
some articles displayed there are emma
cabinet and a nicked instantaneous wa
| ter heater A bale of cotton is connected
| with the Green's booth, and Madame
| cara" the celebrated fortune teller the
| expositor of events dead things now IN
! the Joy of life, and matters yet unborn,
| holds seances with the mystic beings or
| the spirit world under the direction, and
|
| displayed the handsome sword to be con-
tested for by the friends of Lieut. Newell
West OF Company d of the Volunteer
! Guards and Lieut.. T.. A. Leonard Of the
| Greens.
! The Republican Blues come next and
theirs is a beautiful booth, the sun
burst being the design followed in its
| decorations Many handsome articles are
gracefully arranged and the destines of
the Blues are placed in the able hands
of the lady friends of the
company. under the leadership
of Mrs ]. b. Gaudry The fancy work is
very tasteful and adds to the beauty Of
the booth A silver conductors lantern
is displayed and will be awarded to the
conductor running into Savannah who
receives the greatest number Of votes. A
handsome sword is displayed and will lie
presented to either Lieut. w. l.. Gray
son of the Blues or Lieut. Richardson OF
the Oglethorpes, as their friends may de-
| cree.
The Savannah Cadets booth is Dresid-
ed over by Mrs Jordan +. Brooks, who
is aided by many Of the company's fair
friends. The booth is decorated In white.
and was designed with artistic results