The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-11-02
OUR STATE FAIR.
Every indication ora Large Atten-
dance and Great Success.
PAINS FALL OF MANILA"
Arrangements Completed for the
Presentation of this Striking
Spectacle. The Fair Itself
Promises to Draw a
Great Crowd,

Columbia, S. c., Oct. 29.-Special:
The usual interest aroused among the
people Of South Carolina by the ap-
proach Of the annual fair of the State
Agricultural and Mechanical Society is
apparent all over the State this year
The county papers unite in urging their
thousands Of readers to gather in Co.
lumbia during fair week. The officers
OF the society several weeks ago com
menced their preparations. The grounds
have been cleaned off, and the build
ipgs have been put in excellent trim.
The railroads have given especially low
rates, and tie accommodations here
promise to be better than ever. The
hotels will stretch their dimensions and
numbers Of private families will accom-
modate visitors. An intelligence Office
will be opened, so that visitors may
promptly find agreeable quarters at
moderate rates. Everything possible
is being done to make things easy and
comfortable. The local Fair Associa
ton will look well after the amusement
and entertainment of the visitors. This
year, too, there will be psesented a
spectacle that has been admired in
many cities Of the United States.
THE BATTLE OF MANILA.
A leading feature of Fair week in
Columbia will be the presentation Of
Pains great production, the Battle Of
Manila. Some idea Of this feature may
be gathered from what the News and
Courier said Of its presentation in
Charleston:
The large audience was at first
almost dazzled by the long row of cleo
trio lights which hung across the cen
trc Of the grounds from east to west.
Then, as the eyes became accustomed to
the white light, all saw stretched out
for apparently many miles before them
the calm waters of Manila Bay. At the
extreme west was discerned the bat
teries of Cavite and near the centre
war Moro Castle. Over to the east
Corrigor Island was plainly seen small
mountainous point upon which appear
ed battery of heavy guns. Close un-
der the guns of Cavite were found the
Maria Christiana and several other
Spanish vessels lying quietly at anchor,
but with wicked looking guns at every
port hole. The scene was perfect in
detail and perspective, and it seemed
indeed real. In front Of the Cavite
forts and near Moro Spanish soldiers
lay on their arms, apparently little
thinking that the American ships were
so near For a while the vaudeville
entertainers held the attention of the
garrison as well as the audience, and
then sentry is seen to rush to the
commander Of the Spanish forces. His
message is not audible to the onlookers
but is nevertheless of great import
Activity prevails and the garrison make
ready to resist land attack. Just be-
hind Corrigor Island the PROV Of Admi-
raj Dewey's flag ship, Olympia, is seen
ploughing through the waters towards
the Spanish batteries and feet. The
battle opens and for half an hour RACES
furicusly. The Spanish forces retreat
from one battery to another, pursued
by marines and soldiers bearing the
Stars and Stripes. Two field pieces
are landed by the Americans and are
driven up close to the Cavite forts,
firing steadily. The Olympia sweeps
on towards the Maria Christina and
behind it comes the Baltimore, Boston,
Mccullough and other vessels Of Dew
ey's squadron. each one beiching fire
and smoke with incessant din and clouds
of battle smoke. The FIRE is directed
! towards tile Spanish ships and forts,
/ and. although these return the fire for
time, the Spanish flag ship is blown
up, followed by land batteries an ar
senal, with terrific noise. The Span
ish ships take fire and sink, the batteries
crumbie before the fearful caInonading
and the Spanish troops are taken pris-
oners by the men of the American army
and navy. During the battle the land
fight was realistic to degree, even the
work Of the hospital corps, under the
flag Of the Red Cross, being carried out
by men with stretchers. The artillery
was brought up at rapid pace by
horses which had been trained for the
purpose. AS the last ship flying the
red and yellow stripes burned and sank
below the waters of the bay and the ar
senal at Cavite was blown up with a
terrible sound, the Spanish commander
surrendered his troops. The band,
which had been playing patriotic airs to
encourage the fighters, now swept into
the ''Star Spangled Banner and the
troops passed in review of the grand
stand. The Stars and Stripes were
floating gaily in this parade Of five hun
dred men, but the Spanish soldiers
marched with arms reversed and the
red and yellow banner dragging in the
dust.
1t was fine spectacle, this mimic
war, and SO carefully had each detail
been planned that the spectators seem
ed looking on while t@o great nations
settled their differences at the swords
point. The arrangement OF scenery to
represent Manila Bay left nothing to
be desired. and the stately movement
Of Dewey's ships, correctly drawn and
perfectly appointed, drew storms OF
applause. 1t was altogether magnif-
cent production. quite the best that has
ever been presented b. the pyrotechnic
king, Pain.
When the smoke of battle had cleared
away and while the wrecks Of the Span
ish ships lay, broken and helpless, half
under water, the Americans celebrated
their victory with a grand pyrotechnic
display. Flights Of rockets we're sent
to pierce the canopy of night and pale
the stars with their dazzling colored
lights. Hundreds Of bombs fastened
upwards thousand feet, then burst to
release a hundred gold and purple and
rod oo1 va11ou ctorc Eiary cooEae