The age-herald., 1899-11-05

~ URING the latter part of August a
 M number of enthusiastic citizens of
 u ~ Birmingham, believing the time - ripe for the reinstatement of the annual custom of holding a State Faig in ths city, put their wits together, and as the result of several informal conferences, determined to risk their means and judg- ment in the experiment.. They felt confident that the people of Alabama would appre- ciate their efforts to revive this improving and recreating practice so long abandoned, but they scarcely contemplated that inter- est would be as readily, as quickly and as enthusiastically aroused as it has been.
 The Alabama State Fair and Agricultural Association received its charter from the state of Alabama on August 23 last. The charter was issued to A. E.. Caffee, J. A. Rountree, L. A. Stubbefeld and Thomas G. Hewlett. When this charter was issued there were neither buildings nor grounds, nothing accomplishment preparation for the state beyond the confidence and capital of the promoters As soon as the charter was obtained the association met and elected the following officers:
 President-Hon. A. E. Caffee of the Ala bama state railroad commission.
 Vice-President--P. G. Bowman, Birming- ham.
 secretary-J. A. Rountree, Birmingham.
 Treasurer-Henry B. Gray Birmingham.
 Board of Directors-P. G. Bowman, chair man. T. G. Hewlett, L. A. Stubblefield, J. A. Rountree, A. E. Caffee. w. F. Garth, J. B. Morson, Tom O'Byrne and T. F. Parker, Jr.
 Executive Committee-A. B. Caffee chair man. P. c. Bowman, J. A. Rountree, T. c. Hewlett J. B. Morson and l.. A. Stubble- field.
 The officers went to work at once, estab- fishing offices in the Peerless building, Sec ond avenue and Nineteenth street, and forthwith commenced the systematic and earnest work that has made the Fair so certain of success. Smiths Park, just on the northwestern outskirts of the city and within easy access of tine heart of the cen- tral business section, was secured, and there have been constructed stables for hundreds of race horses, a model half-mile race track and paddock, grand-stand, exhi- bftion hall and numerous other buildings; all well adapted for exhibition purposes. The grounds and buildings have been com pleted and hundred race horses are al- ready on the grounds, while an army of workmen are engaged in putting In exihib- Its. So quickly has this been accomplished that the most enthusiastic spirits on the direction of affairs have themselves been most gratefully surprised.
 A very important factor in the manage Ment and very pronounced element in the assured success of the State Fair has been the faithful and intelligent work of the Woman's Department of the State Fair, of which Mrs. R. H. Pearson is presf- dent and Mrs. George c. Ball is vice presi- dentj Mrs. l.. Crozier-F French, secretary. and Mrs. James F. Graham, secretary.
 The efforts of the ladies have been emil .nently successful. They have stirred up great interest all over the state, and their department has been busy the past week and more receiving and placing exhibits. At this time the management of the state fair cannot but feel that tens of thousands of persons will be in Birmingham next week and the week thereafter, and would like right here to thank the ladies, especial iy, for the hearty cooperation which their venture for the good of the city and state