Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-06

This is the first Merchants Day, and
one Of the big days of the Fair. The
indications are that the city will be
filled with strangers, who will remain
over tonight to witness the magnificent
display of fireworks provided by the
Merchants Committee. on the river
front, between Eleventh and Twelfth
streets. The pyrotechnics have arrived,
and also the experts in charge OF them
and to-day the barges will be placed in
position, the fire works loaded upon
them, and everything gotten in readi-
ness for the Inauguration Of the pro-
gramme at dark. The first salute Of
bombs will probably be fired at eight
O'Clock, but slghtseers should be in
position TO see what is TO take place
at about 7:40 O'Clock. so that nothing
is missed. The programme will take
about two hours, at rough guess, and.
will be the finest fireworks display ever
given In Wheeling. Bombs viii be fired
ra~r0 up to two feet in diameter, ex-
ploding four hundred TO six hundred
feet above the level OF the river. or
higher than the summit Of Wheeling
hill, while six and eight-pound rockets
will mount TO an altitude of six or
eight hundred feet. The spectacle can
be seen to a certain extent for miles
around, and people in the surrounding
towns as we'll as residents of the hill
sides within the CITY limits will not
have to leave their homes to secure
view of this great free spectacle. That
the crowd upon the river front, Island
as well as in the city, and on the
two river bridges will be immense, goes
without saying, and at a reasonable
calculation, there will be fifty thousand
spectators. There will be an album
dance of room for every one, however.
without crowding, for it isn't the sort
OF show where one has to get right up
i'll front. In fact, distance will enable
better view of the general effect, and
'rubber-necking" will thereby be I'M
necessary. One of TIE best points of
view will be the river bank along the
edge Of the park, below Twelfth street,
or on the edge of the bank north of
the Panhandle railway depot, which
latter point can be reached by the al
1eys running off Main street be-
low Bridge Place. The wharf will
afford room for fifteen thousand people,
and the Island shore will give an ex-
cellent point of view for all save tho
set pieces, which will face towards the
wharf. Every train reaching the city
to-day is expected to be crowded with
people who will remain over night to
see this great spectacle, and all visitors
will receive a hearty welcome.
Yesterday the arrivals OF strangers
were large, and all the hotels were
filled. The weather was perfect-cool
in the morning warming UP to rea-
sonable degree in the afternoon. with
slightly overcast sky, and growing
pleasant again in the evening. The
attendance on the grounds was large,
the official count of admissions footing
up 1926, including complimentaries
To-day this number will be trebled.
Every exhibit was complete and in the
prime of condition during the day, and
the grounds were comfortably thronged
with sightseers. The grand stand dur
ing the racing of the afternoon held
about fifteen hundred people, and the
contests were. greatly enjoyed, this
satisfaction extending to the Hippo
drome exhibition between heats of the
regular speed contests One race was
unavoidably declared off, owing to some
small misunderstanding with the horse
men, but the general effect was not
married The detailed result of the rae
ing will be found below. with the en-
tries for to-day's events and all neces-
sary information concerning the speed
programme. Lists of those taking pre-
miums in various departments are also
given.
The Committee of Merchants request
the positive announcement that no boat
or barge will be allowed to be anchored
In the river this evening in any posi-
ton which will interfere with the public