Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-09
Last night the Carnival was formal

Last night the Carnival was formally
opened.
1t was a most suspicious beginning
OF WheeljHg's gala week.
The .Aowd was immense. The su-
buIbah traction lines poured the people
In to augment the residence population,
which was out upon the streets. A cen
sus of the Wheeling people h re-
NAMED at home between the hours of
seven and ten O'Clock, would have been
astoundingly small. 1t was a noisy,
jostling, put good-natured sightseeing
throng which filed the streets, and
gave color and animation to the most
beautiful picture Wheeling has ever pre-
scented.
The shows were confined to the bust
ness district, bounded on the north by
Tenth street, and IN the south by the
creek. and the th%oroughfares within
these few blocks were fairly coagested
with humanity. Here also were the
most conspicuously elaborate and Or
nate decorations of buildings, and the
most prominent electrical displays. The
arches were lighted after the firing OF
the signal rockets, and the effect at
night was charming beyond description.
The crowds did moi wait until dark.
There were veritable holiday throngs on
the street during the afternoon, the
scenes resembling those of a busy Sat
urday, with the exception that the pc
de~strians did not carry parcels, but We're
bent upon seeing the sights and partici-
pating in the fun. Some of the shows
took advantage of their opportunity,
opened their gates, and were going full
blast for many hours before the Carni-
val was officially opened.
The Opening.
The public meeting on the levee at
$50 o'clock, was a success beyond the
most sanguine expectations. Long be-
fore that hour there was a steady
stream of humanity flowing toward the
wharf. The immense platform stood
within twenty feet of the waters edge.
In the rear were several tiers OF seats,
and over them a mammoth semi-circu-
lar sowing board, painted white. 1t
serves the two-fold purpose of carrying
the Sound to the crowd in front, and
acting also as a reflector.
Shortly before the appointed hour, the
platform began to fill up. Among the
early arrivals were Director General
Geo. D. Benson, Secretary Thompson
and Assistant Secretary Adams, of the
Board of Trade, the members of King
Halls court. Senator n. B. Scott, Con-
gresham B. b. Dovener, Postmaster
Geo. Wise, George Baird, Acting Mayor
Jesse Shafer, and two score of other dis
cupied a position upon the platform, and
gave a concert of choice music preced-
ing the opening of the exercises.
Meanwhile the wharf began to fill up.
and the wisdom of the choice of this
location for the big stand was demon
strated. The gradual upward slope of
the landing enabled everybody to see
what was going on, even though dis
lance prevented the hearing of the
speeches. The crowd assembled early,
and was remarkably orderly and atten-
tive. In size it almost approached the
memorable Bryan meeting of the last
political campaign. Looking from the
stand the sight presented was that of a
vast sea of upturned faces.
The meeting was
Called for Order
by S. A. Thompson, secretary of tbs
Board OF Trade. Mr.. Thompson refer
red to the weeks OF careful and earnest
preparation for the Carnival. and sait
the time had now arrived for its forma
opening. He presented as chairman o
the meeting Nathan B. Scott. United
States Senator from West Virginia
Senator Scott was ~applauded as h
stepped forward and introduced the Rev
C. B. Graham, who Offered up 4 ferven
prayer.
He introduced Jesse Snafer, who, Il
the absence of Mayor A.. I. Sweeney
made the opening address. Mr.. Shafe
made an excellent address in welcom
ing the visitors.
When Mr.. Shafer concluded, Senate
Scott introduced Congressman B. I
Dovener.
Capt. Dovener's Speech.