The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-12
THE OPENING NIGHT.
Columbia Fire Laddies' Fair a Scene
of EXQUISITE Beauty.

Columbia Hose company's fair, which
will be the city's chief attraction dur
ing the coming week. opened in the
Burke building last night, and it the
attendance was any criterion of the
support the fire laddies will receive
during the week to come the carnival
will be a great success. Between
and s o'clock the three local fire COM
panies, headed by the Mozart band,
paraded the principal streets and at
tracted the attention OF the public to
the hall. For over a week the fire.
mems committees have worked inde-
fatigably arranging the many details
for the fair, and their work has cul-
minated most successfully. The hall
has been neatly decorated. In the rear
of the room are four booths. screened
from the rest of the room by an ar
tistic lattice work of blue, white and
yellow ribbons. In these are sold
candy, cigars, soft drinks and fancy
work. They are attended by corps
of pretty young lady friends of the
firemen. In one corner, just at the end
Of the platform, is n recess for the
performers. 1t is screened off by hand
some curtains. The platform, also, Is
Foreman John LOTUS was chairman
Of the evening. lie introduced Hon. j.
J. ONeill. who made the opening ad-
dress. The ex-mayor is a staunch
friend of the volunteer fircmen, and he
laudcd them in most hatterinss terms.
He exhorted the people to give the
company their hearty support in this
venture, not alone because it was the
Ill. 1t Ga... I..N -. a.
really Is the first public action taken
to arrange means to carry on the
great civic demonstration which will
soon take place here in honor of the
city's sem-centennial. He stated that
one of the most important features of
that celebration will be fireman's day,
and it is for this the Columbias are
endeavoring to raise funds by the
, present fair. And there Is no body Of
: men who deserve greater praise than
do the volunteer firemen. They are
the first to be called upon when there
is urgent need of help. or when any
/ public demonstration is TO be held
And so, / ask you to be generous with
! them this week; to make this fair a
; success. By so doing you will have
the satisfaction of having done a good
| work.
Following his honors speech, Mrs.
| George +. Mills rendered d beautiful
| solo in her almost faultless manner.
Miss Marie Graham then played a
beautiful violin solo, accompanied on
the piano by her sister, Miss Gertrude.
The programme closed by tenor solo
rendered In the usual artistic manner
by Prof w. d. Evans.
An equally meritorious programme
has been arranged for tonight. 1t viii
| include solos by Prof. w. a. Burke, of
| Archibald, and Miss Doran, of Susque-
hanna. Miss Florence McHale will
give her laughablc odd Woman spc-
cialtics. Other numbers will also be
| rendered.
Fore some time last night. dancing
! could not be carried on, owing to the
! large crowd hut as, the floor became
more clear the young people were
given an opportunity tn indulge in the
tcrpsichOrean pleasures.
The fair will be continued each night
this week The young ladies who are
contesting for the diamond ring Offer
cd as n prize 10 the ono selling the
greatest number Of tickets on the ff-
| ~ dollars in gold arc already jealous
ly at work Tho fair will undoubtedly
be the most successful in the history
Of the company.