The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-28
WITH 1000 CHILDREN
GREAT FAIRY PLAY MAY BE EN-
ACTED AT THE STATE FAIR.
is A GREAT ATTRACTION.
OFFICERS OF FAIR ASSOCIATION
THINK WELL OF 1T.

John T.. Owens Produces the Play
"Enchantment., with the Assist
Have a Platform on the Race
Track in Front of the Grandstand.
Scenic Effects Would Be Produced.
Play Intended for the Formal
Opening-Omcers VIII Consider
Mr.. Owens Proposal TO-day-Mat-
tiers Passed Upon by the Directors.
The. Savannah Fair Association is to
be given opportunity to-day to make
a trade for what would seem to be
great attraction. Excellent promise is
made by the plan, and the general
manager of the association, Mr.. A. B.
Moore, and the secretary, Mr.. J. c.
Shaw, think well of it.
"Enchantment" is the title of the at
traction, which consists of an elaborate
scenic production, in which it is pro-
posed to interest l 600 of the children
of Savannah. Mr. John Z. Owens, him
self former Shakcspearean actor, and
a nephew of the late John E. Owens,
children and making all arrangements
for the production. He has been talk
ing with Mr.. Moore and Mr.. Shaw, and
the impression they have formed of his
show from what he tells them has been
favorable. They consider that it is we'll
worth looking into.
The entertainment, which has been
given in number of cities throughout
the country, is fairy spectacle in four
acts. Shakespearean characters have
been selected by Mr.. Owens from "A
Midsummer Nights Dream" and other
plays, and a pretty story is woven for
the children impersonating them. There
are many leading characters, while the
chorus is to consist of hundreds 1t
is believed that the children will els
play a great interest in the event,
should the Fair Association decide to
make it one of the features OF the Fair.
Mr. Owens plan is to formally open
the Fair with his great spectacle. 1t is
to be an open air production, and the
race track in front of the grand stand
has been settled upon as the place. pro-
Vided a deal is made. A platform would
be erected. and scenic effects produced
under Mr.. owens management. He
would provide all the costumes and
stage settings. If he makes a contract
he will have his outfit here early in
October, in order to begin his arrange
ments and rehearsals.
Fair Directors Met.
A meeting of the directors of the
Fair Association was held yesterday af-
ternoon, Vice President Moore presid-
ing. a number Of matters came up for
discussion, among them the division of
ha in a
ing. 1t was decided to leave that to the
judgment OF some expert in State Fairs
such as MIR. ]. H. Barrett of Augusta,
who was suggested by Col. j. H. Estill
as well qualified through his long ex-
perience, to advise the association upon
that and other questions. 1t was deter
mined to invite Mr.. Barrett to come to
Savannah to give the officers of the as
ISOLATION the benefit of his experience.
A letter was received from Mr.. A. B.
NJ. Gibbes, who assured the directors
that he would gladly serve upon the
Racing Committee. 1t was suggested
that Mr.. J. K. Garnett be invited to
serve upon the same committee, and
the suggestion was adopted.
Mr.. Moore reported upon the progress
of work at the Fair grounds. He said
that a good quality of clay for surface
ing the track had been found nearby,
upon the property leased by the Asso-
citation, and that ii is being put on the
track at the rate of about $50 feet
day. He estimates that the work will
be finished within twenty days. A
month before the track is to be used
for racing, Mr.. Moore said, IL will be
thrown open for anyone to drive on
who may care to do so, as hoofs and
wheels in it will serve to cut II up
and get it in condition for racing.
The offer of Mr.. w J. Brown, agent
of the Southern Express Company, at
Savannah, to establish a branch office
for receiving and delivering, at the Fair
grounds. was accepted. 1t is expected
that there viii also be a branch post
office and telegraph office at the Fair
grounds.
Finances were discussed. too. Mr.
Moore. Col. Estill and Mr.. B. H. Levy
will form a committee to call upon
directors of the association. who may
not have given their notes as a loan.
to induce them to do so Immediately.
AS has been explained by the Morning
News, such loans will be the first met
from the net receipts of the State Fair.
The venture is regarded as absolutely
safe. There has already been $500
raised by this means. A committee
will also get among the subscribers,
asking that they give notes in order TO
help out the association until such
time as 1t begins to receive money from
the Fair.
Victor ID. Levitt. representing the
Bostock- Farari Midway Company, will
be in Savannah next Saturday to talk
over terms with the committees of di-
rectors of the Fair Association. 1t has
been determined to secure the aggre-
cation for the State Fair, provided
satisfactory contract can be made.