Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-09-04

Tomorrow morning the West Vir-
ginia State Fair Association will throw
open the gates at the Fair Grounds on
the Island. and the eighteenth annual
exposition and State Fair will be in
nugurated.
In the eighteen years that have
Elapsed since the association was or
ganized and the first fair given, many
changes have taken place On the
grounds and much has been added to
the institution, until it stands to-day
recognized as one OF the largest ana
best in the United States. The credit
for the excellence CT the annual eX-
hibitions given lies largely with Coi.
Anton Reymann, president, and COL
George Hook, the genial secretary, VINO
for all these years have piloted the al
fairs SO successfully.
1t is unnecessary to go into details
as to the many Improvements made
on the grounds, one OF the most not
able being the eighty-foot half-mlie
track 1t is sufficient to say that the
property has been made as nearly COM
plete as it is possible to make II.
Yesterday the scene about the
grounds was one Of hustle and Dustle
everywhere. Exhibitors were pussy
getting their booths decorated and ar
ranged to display their goods. proves
CT cattle were being driven at all hours
during the day to the stables, and the
racers were coming in by the car lcao.
Secretary Hook, and Bert SWartz'
who has charge OF the privileges
were kept On the go throughout the
day getting the exhibitors placed anu
getting things in ship shape 1or tne
opening. ITO
The exhibition hall presented llVe-
Nv scene with score or more OF lanes
and gentlemen hard at work. III spite
Of the extreme heat. Every men Oh
space in the large building Will NC
used this year, and some OF tHe hloSI
MAGNIFICENT displays in its history WIZ
he on exhibition. The ladies' ana chil,
.iren's fancy and art departments WIZ
be particularly fine, and some OF the
most beautiful needle and fancy Work
IMAGINABLE has been entered. MISS
Annie Reymann, who has charge OF
+he department. says the exhibits are
Of a better quality and are much more
artistic than any ever entered at the
fair. Miss Reymann will be assisted
bv Misses Anna Sage, Anna Hess,
Nlice Egerter and Virginia Miller.
The schools will be represented IN
two booths this year instead OF one
The general booth where the fancy
work of the pupils OF all the
schools is exhibited, is in the
same place, but beside it has
been erected one by Richie school, and
Yesterday Prof Crago and his teachers
were hard at work tastefully decorat-
ing the exhibits Of the Eighth ward
scholars. The general school display
will be better than last year. 1t con-
sists of map drawing, designing, PANT
Ing and music writing. and some splen-
did specimens are to be seen.
Mrs. George Lutz, as usual, mas
charge Of the preserves and fruits, and
promises the largest and best yet.
In the horticultural hall, Mr. Charley
c. Schmidt was kept in sweat d1-
Tecting and assisting in the decoration
of the building. He shows his extreme
patriotism by liberal display of the
national colors, and when he had fin
ished his labors last night the hall pre-
sented beautiful appearance He has
already received enough applications
for space to fill the room with farm
and garden products CT rare variety,
and the way they kept pouring in yes
terday insures the success of Mr..
Schmidt's department.
The machinery exhibit will be more
than doub.e what they were last year.
land a walk through it when all the
farming implements are in motion will
serve to remind one of his "boyhood S
happy days down on the farm" espe-
cially il he will then cross the road
and take a peep at the large poultry
display, which promises to be larger
and better than ever, and that is say
ing a great deal, fer the State Fair is
noted for the excellence Of its poultry
exhibits.
The sheep exhibit will be well worth