The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-20
AT STATE FAIR GROUNDS
OFFICIALS PLEASED WITH THE
FIRST DAYS ATTENDANCE.
Track Unfit for Racing Yesterday, but
Good Sport Is Expected To-day
-Premiums Awarded.

swept across the grounds, causing the Wis
itors to draw on overcoats. and the atten-
dants in the stables to blanket the animals
under their care. II was not a bright out
look for the officials of the exposition. 1t
was feared that this week would be similar
to that of last year, when the ncessant
rains during the exposition reduced the
gate receipts by thousands OF dollars.
The morning attendance, consequently
was not large. BY noon, however, although
the day gave no promise of emerging from
the gray cloudiness, it at least threatened
no rain. The attendance increased hour by
hour, until at 3 o'clock the officials were
rubbing their hands gleefully and declaring
that the number of visitors who had passed
through the gates aggregated an attendance
far in the lead over "children's day of last
year. Although school children and old SOL
diers were admitted free, the gate receipts
were exceedingly fattering.
In all the departments the exhibits had
been placed by the middle of the morning.
On Monday night forces of men had labored
until early morning. Those who relieved
them yesterday devoted their labors to
cleaning up" and getting the exhibits and
the grounds in order. Before this was COM
pleted the visitors began to arrive. The
halliday school among the grades made 1t
possible for many Of the little ones to at
tend the fair in the morning. The peanut
and candy stands, the whistle and red-bal-
loon vendors were rushed.
THE YOUNGSTERS ABROAD.
Groups of children, boys and girls In
pairs, some with lunches and chaperons,
and som enjoying the freedom and inde-
pendence of being unaccompanied, saun-
xo-11 Aro,,r The r4rrnI haunted the OK
hibit places where souvenirs and picture
cards were distributed, or gazed hungrily at
the sideshow posters. Mothers and chap
erons were at a disadvantage. Lost chill
dren were frequent occurrences, and the
SQUAD of policemen were kept busy leading
the weeping young ones aimlessly about in
search of the anxious parents. The day
was not encouraging to a large attendance
of veterans. Nevertheless, the officials as
sert that they were surprised at the atten-
dance of old soldiers. They took a keen
interest in the exhibits, and. perhaps, a
keener interest in the children.
The days programme was to open at Q
O'Clock with a concert by the Indianapolis
Military Band in the grandstand. The Wis.,
itors assembled there, and while the band
attention to the blanketed horses who were
UtlnS leu DdCh anu lOTtD dlOUS the DidCh,
loamy race course. At 10 o'clock the wom-
en- crowded In the fine-arts building. where
Mrs. Rorer, of pure-food and cooking fame,
same time the judges began the inspection
and awarding of prizes. This latter con-
tinued throughout the day. the official lists
tary Kennedy before 9 o'clock last night.
THE QUALITY OF CATTLE.
The inspection displayed the quality of the
cattle exhibit. The judges were enthusi-
astic over the animals shown, and men~who
were competent to judge declared that the
fair cattle exhibit was without doubt the
finest ever held outside of Madison-square
Garden. New York. To-day the examina-
ton and awarding of premiums will be
continued. Besides the cattle, swine and
sheep yet to be judged. the horses will be
led before the judges, beginning with Cleve-
land bays and GLOWING with the exhibits
of stable. hackney and coach horses. The
display of cut flowers will also be a special
feature of to-day's programme, while Mrs.
Rorer will deliver two lectures, one in the
morning and the second In the AFTERNOON.
In the afternoon there will be a parade of
al horses and cattle on the grounds in
front of the grandstand, and a band con-
cert in addition. In the evening Sousa's
band concerts will open in the grandstand
a chiidren's chorus of five hundred voices.
A rumor was af1oat yesterday to the effect
that Sousa's band would not be present.
Secretary Kennedy. however, declares that
this is without foundation, and promises
that the concert will open as scheduled.
The rains of Monday night had marred
the tracks TO such an extent that II was
obvious yesterday morning that no racing
would occur in the afternoon unless the
sun would lend his efforts. The course was
covered by a slushy, slippery black loan.
which rendered any speed exceedingly dan
gerous to both driver and horse. Men
worked faithfully until starting time in an
dnoNrn RI 90 tho frank IN G0ndIf1nn for
the afternoon trot, but at 100 o'clock the
owners declared that rather than send their
muddy condition they would forfeit the
entry fees.
FIRST RACES TO-DAY.
The programme was to have consisted OF
the 2:30 trot. purse $500; the 200 pace, purse
$500, and the 2:20 trot, purse $500. These
three races will be run to-day, beginning
at 1 o'clock this afternoon. In addition
to these the first of the races scheduled for
to-day, the BPS pace, purse 500. will also be
run. To-morrow's programme will take up
the races with No. 5, the 2:10 trot, which.
with the 2:17 pace, was to have occurred
to-day. Instead of three races each after
noon, as would have been the case had
yesterdays track been fit, there will be
four races each afternoon, beginning with
to-day. This will enable the programme,
If the weather does not interfere, to be COM
| pleted on Friday. Late yesterday afternoon
it was said by the officials of the speed
department that the track would be In ex-
Cellent condition to-day If no more rain
fell.
The premiums awarded yesterday are as
follows:
| Awards in French Draft and PercheronS.-
Stallions.-Four years and over. first. sec
ond and third premiums, Robert Burgess x
Son, Verona, ILL.,; three to four years, first,
l.. w. Cochran, Charlottesville, Ind; sec
ond and third, Robert Burgess & Son, Yer
ond. Robert Burgess. & Son, Yer
louisville, Ind; one to two years, first sec
ond and third, Robert Burgess & Son, Yer
ona, Ill. Colt and stallion, showing four
colts. first, Robert Burgess & Son, Verona.
Ill.
Mares and Fillies.-Four years and over,
second, two to three years, first and second,
and one to two years, first, Robert Burgess
& Son.
~-Clydesdale and English Shires.-
Stallions.-Four years and over. first and
second premiums. Robert Burgess & Son;
three to four years, first, Robert Burgess
q Son; second, A. c. Turner, Ross, o.; two
TO three years, first and third, Robert Bur
CESS & Son; second. L. w. Cochian; one to
Robert Burgess & Son; colt, first, l. w.
Cochian; stallion and four colts. first, Rob
ert Burgess & Son: second, l.. W. Cochian.
Mares and Ffllies.-Four years old and
ever. first premium, Robert Burgess & Son;
second. l.. w. Cochian; third. Rosco Sears.
Indianapolis; three to four years. first, IL.
w. Cochran; flley under one year, first, l..
W C0chion