The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-17

NANueNhAo EASAA@~ $3.50
HEarmsrs~ In an Impromptu Theatre.
Unfortunately for the success of the
affair, rain greatly hampered the
County Fair" given yesterday evening
under the auspices OF the ladies OF st,
Matthews p, E, church at "Hearnlee'"
the handsome country home of Mr.. and
Mrs. f. j. Hearne, at Leatherwood, a
few miles east of the city, Had the
elements been OF a more favorable
turn, 1t is no exaggeratlon to say that
with the arrangements made, the
County Fair" would have been the
most beautiful and successful entertain
ment ever given In this city.
The arrangements were perfect, ana
no doubt thousands of people would
have congregated around the many
gaily decorated booths and tents scat
tered about the picturesque grounds,
But 1t rained. The hours Of this novel
AFFAIR were from 4 o'clock in the after
noon to II o'clock at night, but the
storm that came up, or rather down. at
O'Clock sent the fallirs and mattresses,
with as many of their wares as they
could carry, into the stable-a palatial
structure which Is not in harmony with
Its title. In this large and commodious
building until nearly midnight all was
concentrated, and the several hundred
people that went out on the evening
motors were amply repaid for the jour-
ney. The vaudeville entertainment was
contributed to by stars Of the first mag
nltude,
The bowling alleys received liberal
patronage, being first on the programme
after the rain. That part of the building
used for the entertainment was taste
fully decorated with flowers and bunt-
ing, and admission was gained only by
paying the price. The crowd that soon
poured In was motley one, Mexicans
mingled with Norman danes, museum
freaks with buttermilk maids. and the
ordinary plebelan from the town rubbed
elbows with the slick fakir, the rural
gentleman, etc. Above all enjoyment
celgned supreme; even though out on
the lawn the vari-colored lanterns twin
killed. dlmly under the dripping trees.
and though the tents and booths looked
deserted In their rain-washed tinery.
The gathering IN the impromptu thea
tire was delightfully."- entertained.
Ed B. Franzheim had prepared a
"howling success In his palace of
Mesmerlsm," but the sides OF the Pol
ace" Tapped and blew out In the gale,
and hence the show was transferred,
opening the menu. The first feature to
attract the eyes OF the gaping multi
tude was the professor" with his Sub
1ects." He was none other than Mr..
George Whitaker an adept at hypno-
tism. This furnished great laughter
and was really clever exhibition.
ARIZONA Dick" OF Greggsvllle, a
knife thrower, contortionlst and jug
gler, also took his audience by storm, OF
a different nature than overlook the
fair.
Other grotesquely attired performers
gave the farmers In front OF the stage
the worth OF their money. II. w.
Hughes sang I'm Off for Philadelphia
in the Morning" II. ]. Ritter sang
"Hey Rube," Miss Sue Caldwell sang
Swallows" Miss Fannie Wheat sang n
selection and y. Randolph Hix rendered
French ditty, while Gilmore Brown
got Off good recitation or two. Some
distance away from the stage the Ariel
Mandolin Club discoursed pleasing Sc
lectlons throughout the evening. There
was room also for the working OF sun
dry schemes 10 entlce the elusive nickel.
They were superintendent by ladies pos
sessed OF good business methods, conse-
quently reaplng a small harvest For
producing the customary coln Miss LIZ
ZIe Hunter made the future clear or
cloudy perchance,
There was room also under the wide
verandas of the house for ice cream
and lemonade stands. The Opera
House orchestra was at this point and
its music pushed the thing along. An
other attraction was the chances sold
for two little pigs. These dimlnutive
porkera were donated by Mr.. Louis
Steenrod, and were, as one ticket vendor
remarked. real sweet" quite sum
was realized in disposing of the tickets
| that held the lucky numbers. Taken In
all, the ladies' in charge Of the County
Fair" will have neat balance on the
right side OF the ledger; but oh, II 1t
hadn't rained?
Nevertheless It was n success, more
so from picturesque point OF View
|
tractive costumes worn by the young
ladies, that Of Mrs HoratIo Page War
den, nee Miss Sadie Mead, being par
tlcularly worthy OF note Mrs, Warden
who Is a niece OF Mr.. and Mrs Hearne,
and now resident of Pittsburgh, was
| dressed as tambourlne girl and looked
very attractive.
Regrets were frequent at the rain
marring the fairs success and II was
the opinion of many that a repetition
under favorable conditions would be
literally rewarded. And expressions OF
thanks to Mr.. and Mrs Hearne for the
generous loan Of their beautiful home
were heard on eve.E hand, The fair
was located amid iAChl surroundings
and all that was needed last night was
| pleasant weather and starry sky.
The electric lights strung about the
grounds were furnished by the subur.
ban Electric Light Company,
|