The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-17
THE CROWDS SURPRISING
BANNER STATE FAIR WEEK IN THE
NUMBER OF VISITORS.
Many Merchants Come to Buy Goods
The Capitol ThrOnged-PoIice
Find No Disturbances.

More people have come to the city this
week on account of the state fair than dur
ing any year In the last five, and they are
leaving hundred per cent. more money
in the city than during recent state fairs.
Superintendent Zion, of the Union Railway
Company. said yesterday that the traffic
began on q large scale Monday, breaking
all previous records within his knowledge
and maintaining the ratio Of increase up to
the present time. The railroads were pre-
pared for heavy traffic but not for the
immense crowds which focked at the way
stations along all lines. The result was that
yesterday there was some difficulty in fur
nishing coaches enough to transport the
people. Every inch of standing room in the
aisles of many coaches was occupied long
before the trains reached the city and those
who BEARDED the trains at stations within
short radius of the city were glad to find
footroom on the platforms and steps. 1t
reminded one of the trolley cars going to
the fair grounds on big day or to the
baseball park on a holiday.
People from over the State took possess
sion Of the city yesterday. They came to
town with money to spend and spent it
freely. About the Union Station there was
an immense crowd all day, until the coming
of the rain, and then they crowded into the
waiting rooms and into neighboring stores.
They sat on the curb and lounged about
on the grass plots in front of the station
The Union Railway Company had provided
barrels of ice water, which were standing
at convenient points about the station.
These were well patronized oil day by the
thirsty visitors, to many of whom this as
almost as rare treat as the red lemon
ade which is to be found at the circus
thousands of the visitors, of course, went
out to the fair, but other thousands came
here with no Intention of spending any
time or money in that way. They were
here for little holiday outing and they
took advantage of the few hours they were
in town to see whatever sights there were
The theaters were well attended, as was
also the veriscopic pictures of the Coz bett-
fftzsimmons fight. Some were content TO
wander about the city and take in all that
was free The monument was an attractive
point and the State Capitol was full Of
visitors all day Street-car rides to the
parks and resorts were taken by many
others. Withal the city and vicinity ire
sented lively scene during the entire day
MERCHANTS BUYING GOODS.
There was another class, however which
was or the greatest pecuniary value to the
city. This class comprised the people who
came here TO buy goods. Hundreds took adj
vantage Of the low railroad rate to make
this an occasion to do their autumn shop
ping. The retail stores on Washington ard
illinois streets were crowded all day end
the purchases were liberal. In the whole
sale district large trade was also enjoyed
country merchants and business men from
towns and cities for a distance OF a hun
dred miles came in on the excursions to
lay In faIl and winter stocks. Men who,
n tor
nad never appeared in person at the whole
sale houses, We're here, the South MERIDIAN
street people say This kind CT dealing is
more satisfactory to both parties than n1sil
orders or selections by samples furnished
Dy travelling men. The wnoles lie dry goods
people say the fair week ira re Will nrob-
ably be from 80 to so per cent better than
II was last year. and decidedly better than
LOT l.. a number OF years. The wholesale
grocers also received many orders and say
that the trade is better than for years The
wholesale harness dealers claim that trade
mas never been so good. 1t is naturally
good season with them, but the last two
Gays nave broken all records for house
sales. In the hardware line and with the
queensWare and leather people there has
been a brisk trade during the last three
days. Many of the houses drew in their
travelling men this week to entertain visi-
ing customers.
The police department has been busy TAX
ing care or the crowd. Many of the night
patrolmen have been detailed for day work
and are spending thirteen hours a day on
the downtown street corners guiding people
ana giving them such information as they
may need. From the records at the police
station 1t appears that no arrests of visitors
have been made. Ordinarily where so MANY
people COME TO the city, there is a portion
OF them who put in their time about saloons
and barrel houses and finally have to be
arrested This has not been the case this
year. The police have instructions to be lib
eraI with visitors, but it seems that there
mas peen little occasion to exercise this lib
erality. Inc police say also that few graft
ters' are in the city.
An indication of the good times which are
being enjoyed by the people of the State
is observed at the hotels and boarding
houses. Visitors are staying longer in the
city than on former years. Where thew
formerly came in in the morning and left
on the night trains, hundreds are remaining
several days.