The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-18

| <Aiaoahud Will lie thrown open To the public.
Great changes are being wrought in
| Smiths park where the State Fair is to be
| held. There is army of men working
| on the buildings and beautifying the
| grounds By another week the park will be
| beautiful. Large crowds go out every day
| to the grounds and buildings. They are
perfectly delighted with the progress that
| is being made.
The Crowds
The fair management continue to receive
| information from all parts of the state that
| the people are coming in large number and
| Birmingham Will be taxed to It's utmost
| to accommodate them. NJ. V. Joseph, who
| is one of Birmingham's most conservative
| citizens, in discussing the attendance at
| the State Fair, stated that from all he
could gather, there would be at least 10000
| in attendance every day. President Caffee
| writes from South Alabama that nearly
every one in the Black Belt is coming. The
| people are deeply interested in Birmingham
| and the State Fair and that they are anx-
! ious to come"
A representative of the State Fair, who
| has toured the whole state in the last three
weeks, stated at the headquarters that he
the movement in all his life and that from
| what he could judge, he knows thai every
| one is coming. Taking all the information
| that can be gathered. the fair management
| is very much elated and feel that no
power or influence can prevent the fair
| from being a tremendous success.
Racing Department
The racing at the state fair this fall will
| furnish some of the most exciting sport
| that has been seen in the state in years.
The directors of the state fair, apprecat-
| ing the fact that no fair is ever complete
| without racing, appropriated at the outset
| $1,000 to be given in purses. OF this amount
| $4,000 will go to the harness class and $1,000
| to the runners. The state fair management
| has devoted itself assdiousy to the matter
| of getting the best possible sport for the
| money at It's disposal, and its efforts are
| sure to prove satisfactory to lovers of rae
| ing. Mr.. Gratz Handley, a we'll known
| and experienced race horse man, has been
| selected as clerk of the course. He will
| have charge of all the details of the races,
and be under the direct supervision of Su-
perintendent Caffee, who has charge of the
| racing department Mr.. Handley is one of
the best authorities on horse flesh in the
|
assist greatly in making this department
| a wonderful success. The track at the
| grounds has been put in excellent condition
| and it is today one of the fastest half mile
| tracks In the country.
Some Novel Suggestions
Now that the fair is all but on Secretary
| Rountree is receiving scores of interesting
| suggestions for attractive features. Yes
terday letter was received from N. Fish
ell, of the Omaha exposition, asking for
| space to exhibit infant incubator con-
| tanning living infants and illustrating the
| manner In which delicate children may be
| raised by artificial means. This attraction
| proved a large drawing card at the Omaha
| exposition. Secretary Rountree turned the
| letter over to the Frank C. Bostick COM
| pany, who have charge of the Midway and
| all it's attractions, and it is probable that
they will make arrangements to secure 1T
| for the fair.
Ladies' Day
| Monday, November 10, has been designat-
| ed as Ladies' Day at the state fair. The
| management of the fair will make an ex-
| ira efforts to make this day the most ener-
| tanning of all days of the fair 1t will be
| the day before the grand reception that the
| fair association will give at the home OF
| Mrs. r. II. Pearson in honor of the mem
| bers of the womens board and the vice.
| presidents of the same
| Mr.. u. Cameron, of Staggerville n. c.,
| writes the management of the State fair
| that he desires to enter his horses and
| cattle at the fair. He is very anxious to
| make a good exhibit
| B. F. Hitch, of Suttlemen, Ca, writes
asking for rates to the fair He states that
| a large number of visitors are coming to
| the fair from his section.
| County Exhibits
| Judge w. s. Foreman, of st. Clair county,
| writes that space of 20x2O be reserved for
| st. Clair county He states that an enthu-
| siastic meeting was held at the court house
/ last Thursday, and also had another meet
| Ing Saturday. when definite plans were de-
cided upon to make good exhibit at the
| fair.