The age-herald., 1899-08-01
THE MILITARY
 ENCAMPMENTS
Will be a Feature of the State
 Fair.
SUBSCRIPTION COMMITTEE
and it is Expected That by Thursday S15,ooo Will
 Have Been Subscribed

Just as soon as the Alabama State Fair association is organized, Governor John F ston and Adjutant General Brandon will be given formal invitations to hold at least one of the regimental encampments, if not a whole brigade encampment, in Birming- ham during the fair. 1t seems to be the general impression in military circles that none of the regiments will be ready in the matter of equipment, to hold their en- campments for month or two yet, and this being the case it is suggested that the best time after that would be in November, whom the fair is to be held.
 Splendid inducements can be offered for camping grounds, and that at no great dis tance from the fair grounds. Not only would the parades, drills and sham battles of the national guard be great attraction for the fair, but the fair itself would bring the military into a great deal more promi- hence and cause much more interest to be taken in it than if the encampment were held in some city by itself.
 Nothing formal, however, can be done in this matter until the association is or ganized. Whether the encampment IS brought here at that time or not. there will be military day during the fair. at which there will be a number of prize drills.
 Isig Football Game Another feature of the fair which will be worked up in great style will be college day, on which one of the big southern foot ball games will be played on the fair grounds. The annual game between Au- burn and the university in Atlanta, always
 a,,d x,ic n the city to witness the game alone. This game has been called off for this year, and so far there have been no 'tbig games" arranged in this section of the south. Birmingham would stand an excellent chance to get such a game, especially the Auburn-Se- vance game.
 Splendid Subscriptions The subscription committee had splendid success yesterday in securing subscribers to the stock of the State Fair and Indus trial Exposition Over 5000 has ceen subscribed and it is expected by Thursday | to have subscribed over S15,O0O. There | seems no doubt about the fair movement | being a success, and it is going to draw i a tremendous crowd to the city. Every merchant, business man and manufacturer
  | given an opportunity to take stock the | enterprise.
 Interest Throughout State The interest in the state fair movement | continues to grow. The press from all
 parts of the state are enthusiastically en- dorsing the state fair movement. Editor 1 Hooten of the Alexander City Outlook has 1 already inaugurated movement to gel
 an exhibit from Tallapoosa county. l Several manufacturers of the district | have asked to be allowed space for an ex- hibit. They state that they will put in ar exhibit that will be credit to the state. l Secretary J. A. Rountree of the joint l committee of the Commercial club and Board of Trade Is already receiving re- | plies from prominent farmers and busi.
 ness men in regard to the state fair meet l ing to be held in Birmingham nexl | Thursday. August 3. showing that there is deep interest in the movement. Below is letter from Hon. J. A. Westerland, may | or of Fruisthurst. He is one of the lead | ing spirits of the colony at that place and | is largely interested in fruit raising. Ht | wrtes as follows:
 l Mayors Office, | FruithurSt, Ala. July 31, 1899. MT. J. A. Rountree, Secretary State Fail Committee, Birmingham, Ala Dear Sir:-Your favor is at hand. inviting l me to attend the meeting of business mer l for the purpose of organizing the Alabama | State Fair and Agricultural association or | August 3.
 I regret very much that I cannot attend l this important meeting, and only wish tha | could see my way clear to be with you | The fact Is that on the Sd of August we ex. | pect thirty or forty northern people on ar | excursion from Chicago. It is necessary fol | me to be at home and receive them. 1 A state fair and agricultural association | is one of the best institutions we could have | in this state, and 1t should be organized without fail.
 l I am with you in the movement witt | heart and soul, and I want to cooperate | with you and other representative men | Organize an association. It is the making l of the state.
 If the association in any way can use m' | I stand ready at any time to offer my ser | vice to them. It shall be the greatest pleas
 ure to me to hear from you of a successful | organization.
 Again regretting that cannot attend thu | meeting, I am, yours sincerely for tn, | movement, t
 J. A. wESTERLAND | Mayor of FruithurSt,