The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-07
SCHLEY A DRAWING CARD
Hote and Boarding Houses
- led to Overlooking.
ES.S WILL BE POPULAR
st Event Will Take Place This Al
tern00n.
MANY FAvoRITEs ARE ENTERED
Track is in Prime Condition and the
Horses Are Eager to Show Their
Speed-The Special Days
Success is Certain.

At 10 o'clock this morning the gates OF
the greatest state fair in the history of
Alabama will be thrown open to the public.
From the pinnacles of every building
hundreds of fiuttering flags are floating, and
pennants welcoming Admiral Schley to
Alabama, to the fair, can be seen on every
side. The decorations are elaborate and the
fair management has left nothing undone
to pay tribute to the great hero of Santiago
harbor 4
The procession will parade the principal
streets of the city, and Is expected to arr
rive at the fair grounds at Il o'clock. ;
The management has been notified that
the governor and his staff will be present,
and the chief executive will welcome Ads
miral Schley in the name OF Alabama. This
will be followed by an address from a rep
| resentative of Mayor Drennen in behalf of
the city. . 4
These speeches will be interspersed with
martial music from the Mexican and mill
tary bands, after which Admiral SchleY
accompanied by Governor Johnston, Mayor
Drennen and President Caffee, of the fair
association, will review the entire parade
from the reviewing stand. The admiral Will
then hold an informal public reception, af-
ter which a light luncheon will be served
to the admiral and party by the fair asso-
citation in a restaurant on the grounds.
the handsome victoria and pair of norses
offered as a prize for the most popular
wenan in Alabama has been rendered Adj
miral schley for use while in Birmingham,
and in this vehicle he will ride to the
grounds.
or
SO that uhe crowds arriving in advance OF
the parade will have an opportunity OF IN
specting the grounds.
Everything In Readiness
The exposition nall is in readiness and Is
crowded with some of the handsomest dis
plays ever seen in any exposition in the
south The woman's department, which
occupies the upper floor, is artstically ar
ranged and presents a beautiful sight.
Several droves of fine cattle came in yes
terday afternoon and are now on eXinibi-
ton. Among tine stock is an exhibit from
the famous Biltmore farm of Vanderbilt,
near Ashevillc, N. C.
The Midway parapternalia arrived early
yesterday morning and has been put in
shape for the grand opening today. There
Will be twenty shows of every variety and
they will be run to the shouting of spielers.
The poultry exhibit is located in a large
tent and at least 1000 chickens have arriv-
ed This is one of the most interesting ex-
hibits on the grounds.
The grounds can be reached by cars
which pass in front of the Florence hotel
every few minutes. The Bessemer dummy
line also runs within block of the
grounds.
Lovers of the thoroughbred will be treat
ed to some grand and exciting sport at the
fair grounds today. Five events are on the
programme and high class fields are carded
in each to face the starter. With such a
programme offered, the attendance should
be exceedingly large, for never before In
the history of racing in Birmingham has
there been such galaxy of equine stars
battling for supremacy
For the past few days workmen and har-
rows have been constantly on the track,
until at sundown last night it was as fit
as hands could make it, and with favorable
weather conditions today it is more than
probable that the first days sport will see
new Alabama records hung up Both run.
ners and trotters were worked over the new
course yesterday, and both jockeys and
drivers were unanimous in pronouncing 1t
the fastest track of its distance in Ameri-
ca.
Racing Programme
In the five running races on the pro-
gramme there are forty-nine horses enter
ed many of which have recently won big
events among the best horses racing in the
west. The first race Is at five and half
furlong with field of ten high class
sprinters entered, among them being such
speedy ones as Dutch Comedian. Lackman,
John Boone and Wogdtrice This should
prove one Of the mosf<hotly contested races
OF the day. In the second race, Profit, win
ner of the Essex stake at Highland Park,
Continued On Second Page).