The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-19

Next Wednesday Is Merchants Day"
and the indications are that 1t will be the
occasion OF one of the greatest successes
achieved in recent years by the business
men Of this community. Local jobbers
who have been in communication with
their travelling men throughout West
Virginia, eastern Ohio and western
Pennsylvania state that there is a gem
eral desire among the merchants dealing
with Wheeling houses TO be here next
Wednesday. 1t is anticipated that there
win be at least 1000 strangers in town
and probably 1900
The programme and entertainment
committee got down to work yesterday,
and this morning Will submit a very
comprehensive and interesting report TO
the executive committee, which meets at
10 o'clock. During the day members of
the committee Interviewed caterers, wine
merchants, dealers In cigars, makers OF
ice cream, bakers OF cakes, railroad and
steamboat people, the directors OF
Wheeling Park, Of the Wheeling & Elm
Grove Railway Company and of the
Wheeling Railway Company cores
ponded with theatrical people by tele-
graph, and sent members of che com
mlttee 10 New York; engaged band and
interviewed sundry others, and wound
up the day with business meeting last
evening at the chamber OF commerce,
where representatives of those inter-
viewed during the day were present. As
n result the programme. which Involves
a wealth OF detail Is well In hand. and
everything IL working smoothly, with
the certainty that by Monday at the out
side, all details will have been arranged
and the rest win be plain sailing. Dur
ing the day the committee had It's disap-
polntments and It's pleasant surprises.
At the outset 1t was disappointed In re-
ceivlnE intelligence from Cincinnati that
It was an utter impossibllity 10 procure
either the Boston Lyric or the Mackay
Opera Companies, now playing In thar
city, as both companies are under con-
tract for certain time.
The committee met early, heard this
report and promptly determined TO send
Mr. B. *. McMechen to New York, with
cast iron instructions to bring back n
competent company at all risks. MIR.
McMechen got away for the metropolis
at 1855 over the Pennsylvania road. and
will report TO his chairman by telephone
by O'Clock tonight
A surprise came in the shape Of the I'M
solicited intelligence from the Wheeling
n Elm Grove Railway Company that
there would be no charge on the line OF
that company, on the 25th Inst, for the
business men OF the city and their In
vited guests, properly equipped With
Merchants Day badges. This made the
programme committee happy, and lit
tie later this feeling was augmented
when word was received from the
Wheeling Park Association that there
would be no charge for the use Of the
Park or Casino "a the merchants and
guests on the same day. Both these sub
stantiai contributions were rendered vol
unfairly for the good of the movement,
and were cOrrespondlngly appreciated.
Later In the day the Wheeling Railway
Company sent word that II would tender
the free use Of Its cars to those provided
with badges on Merchants Day. the 25th
Inst, and also on the following day This
offer was gratefully accepted.
At last evenings session Of the COM
mlttee reports were received as to the
menu for the dinner at the Park on We'd
nesday evening, with detailed provision
for all the accessories, and provision was
made FOR q midday luncheon for the vis-
itors. either on the boat or at the head
quarters Of the executive committee. No.
1891 Main street. As to the steamboat
trip, Mr. CrOckard stated that every
thing depended upon the stage Of water
in the river. and he was given until Mon
day to locate his boats and figure on the
probable condition OF the river next
Wednesday. Mr.. T. c. Burke was I'M
able to report as to the railroad train for
the local excursion last evening, but will
probably be ready to-day. The menu
for the dinner at the Park, before the
theatrical performance, has been reduced
to writing and the cost figured per plate.
and the figures have been recommended
to the executive committee for approval
this morning at 10 o'clock.
Many details, not of public interest.
have been attended to. among them the
printing OF badges and official pro-
grammes. menu cards, provision for
committee of indies 10 see that the tables
at the Park look just right, flowers for
the tables, brass and string music for the
day. etc.