The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-10-31
THE MASONIC FAIR POSTPONED,
WILL BE HELD NOV. 20 To DEC. 2ND
INSTEAD OF NOV. 18TH T026TH.
Inability of Contractors to Complete
The Temple I'm Time the Cause All
VIII be I'm ''Ship Shape' by November
2Oth-Activity Among Committees.
Meetings Yesterday.

DletiOn of the new Masonic IeInple mas
been changed from November 18th to
26th. to November Goth, continuing I'M
fill December End. or
the postponement was made yesterday
and the change is necessitated by the
fact that il is impossible for the con-
tractors to have the Temple completed
in time for the fair to be opened on
November 18th, the date first selected.
The architect and contractor are, now
ever. unanimous in the opinion that the
building will be completed by Novem-
her 18th. so that there will be ample
time to open the fair in "s~h1p-shape
on November goth, the date just an
nounced.
Another reason for the ~postponement
is hat Colonel Noble f. Martin, the
manager Of the fair. does not think
that the arrangements for the various
booths have sufficiently developed TO
assure that high degree Of success
which it is his desire. as well as that
of the various committees, to attain In
these features of the fair, and the
change of date will give them time for
additional work, so that they Will be
the more complete in every detail.
RAPID SALE OF SHARES.
Colonel Martin is very enthusiastic
over the prospects for the fair. He has
issued 3O7 stock books and is confident
that the number will run up to 400 be-
fore the date for the fair. If all these
shares are taken it will in itself mean
a 1000. Masons all over the state are
also interesting themselves, he says,
very much in the success of the fair.
Quite a number of stock books have
been sent to prominent Masons
throughout the state and many of
them. have already been returned with
all the shares taken.
GENERAL MASONIC MEETING
LAS- NIGHT.
A very largely attended joint meet
ing of the Wilmington Masonic lodges
was held in ST. Johns Hall last night
and during the evening ColOnel Mar
tin referred very pleasantly to the very
cordial and substantial uppOr which
is being accorded the fair by Masons
in various towns of North Carolina and
other states. Then, too, very liberal
support is being accorded the fair by
individuals throughout the country.
It was during the general meeting
last night that Colonel Martin an
bounced the fact that 307 stock books
have beeen issued, and that he expects
to make the numbeH4 400 before the work
is concluded.
A numbe of prominent Masons
spoke quite enthusiastically of the
progress of the work, and urged yet
more vigorous work on he part of
their respective lodges. Among the
speakers were Messrs. Martin Willard,
S. H. Fishblate, Samuel Bear, Jr., and
w. E. Springer.
A number of Masons returned stock
books the shares in which they nave
sold. Several new books were also
issued to various MaSOnS.
JOINT MEETING OF LADIES' COM
MITTEES.
The deep interest and effective activi-
ty of the ladies in the work for the'falr
was ~abundantly evidenced yesterday
by the very large attendance upon the
Joint meeting of the ladies' committees
held in the parlOrS Of The orion yes
terday afternoon. There were more
than $50 aides present, the suit of par
Tors, the wide Railways and adjacent
sideroOms all being thrOnged. Every
one was evidently embued with the
enthusiastic determination to score the
greatest possible success. A pleasant
and, withal, very desirable rivalry eX-
lists among the various committees in
the matter of which shall score the big
geSt success in their respective booth
work. And there is also quite a deal
of pleasant rivalry among the Masonic
committees from the various lodges
along much the same line.
SEASON TICKET BOOKS ISSUED.
AS previously announced, an admis-
sion fee will be charged for the fair,
admission being % cents, but coupon
books will be sold giving admission on
each of the twelve days the fair is in
progress at 81. These are transferable
and is is upon their advance sale that
the success of the fair largely depends.
Quantities of these books were issued
yesterday at both the ladies' committee
meetings and the joint Masonic meet
ing last night. A large number Of the
books nave already been sold.
THE SPECIAL REDUCED RATES.
The Messenger on yesterday morning
announced that special railroad rates
of one fare for the round trip have
been secured over all the railroads IN
mig into Wilmington for the big fair.
These rates have been granted for only
the first two days of Zach week-Mon-
day and Tuesday. This will give spe-
cial rates for November Goth, 21st, 9th
and 2Sth. The Masons regard this as
an especially liberal concession on the
part of the railroad authorities n one,
too, which they greatly appreciate.
MASONIC FAIR NOTES.
Major A. WE'LL received a let
ter a few days 6 from a colored m
who formerly lived here, but who is
now connected with a tailoring estab-
llShment in Boston, enclosing a check,
which he asks the Masons to accept
al a token of his interest in the affairs
of Wilmington.
1t is expected that, with good wealth
er, the roof of the Temple will be COM
pleted within two weeks.
Colonel Martin says that there Is
every indication that fully 81, 900 will be
realized from the country store" fea-
ture of the fair alone. This is also the
opinion of Mrs. Martin Willard, who
is chairman of that committee. Large
quantities of donations which are to be
used in the country store" are al
ready stored in vacant rooms of the
Temple. 1t is of interest to note that
the feature of the country store" will
be that the customer will buy for ten
cents an envelope containing a number.
There will be a corresponding number
upon some article in the stock of goods
and this will be given to him. 1t may
be anything from a jews harp to a SIS
pair of shoes. But it costs him just 10
cents.