The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-23
GREAT CROWD HERE TODAY
The Procession to the Fair Grounds Yesterday,
Led by Chief Marshal Rtbsrts, a Splendid
Spectacle. The Midway is Mammoth and the
Exhibits the Most representative That Have
Ever Been Displayed at the State Fairs.

Ever Been Displayed at the State Fairs.
The forty-frst annual State Fair, sur
passing it's predece ssors in every way,
was launched into history yesterday.
The opening was most auspicious. Ideal
weather, fine crowd. and fair the like
of which has never botn seen in the
State, were the ,cessary conditions that
made it so.
The Chief Executive of the State, i'll cne
of his happiest efforts, formally declared
the Twentieth Century Fair open shortly
before one o'clock, and then the great
show began in earnest.
Beats all l have ever SEEM was the
fiocked to the Fair grounds yesterday II
was fine crowd-a truly magnificent
crowd fo- the opening day. TIL mammoth
midway. the representative class of ex-.
hibits revealing the resources and pro-
ducts of the State as they have never been
shown before at fair, the SLEEK stoch,
the splendid racing events and the many
free exhibitions were alike interesting to
the crowd.
Preliminary TO the movement of the
procession to the Fair grounds Fayette-
vile street presented Il gala da" appear
ance yesterday morning. Flags AID col
ors were waving, troops were marching to
the strains of martial music. while tie
sidewalk was lined with thousands. The
parade was a magnificent spectacle, head
ed by Chief Marshal Roberas and mis-
aides, the Governor and distinguished
visitors in rubber tired enuippages
marching troops and the entire IRE de-
partment. 1t began to form early in the
morning and the populace waited until it
began it's march at noon before facing the
Fair grounds.
The procession moved from the Var
boro House promptly on time with Chief
OF Police Mullen and platoon of police
in the lead. Next came Chief Marshal
Roberts, his aides and the boy marshals.
Hollowbush Band. the well drilled and
handsome appearing A. and NJ. battalion
and the Oak City Guard, forming the Mill
tary division, preceded the carriages
containing distinguished guests. Cover
nor Aycock occupied the seat OF honor in
the first carriage and with His Excellen-
cy were Gen w. r. Cox. Mayor A. M.
Powell and Dr. G.. T. Winston In tne
second carriage was Commissioners .'2t-
terson, DR.. A. A. Marshall. Mr.. j. NJ.
Crenshaw and Mr.. Frank Stronach; Mrs.
r. D. Gilmer and Mrs. C. NJ. Cooke occu-
pied TIL fourth with Messrs. G. n. Allen,
N. b. Broughton and +. 3. ArendeH; the
fifth with Gen. Julian S. Carr, Capt. n.
w. West, Mr. T. M. German and Secre-
tary Joseph E. Pogue. Then came Chief
l.. II. Lumsden and the assistant chief,
Mr.. T.. H. Baker, of the Raleigh Fire De-
partment, with the fire engine and
wagons of the department. The process.
sion was viewed by thousands rs it moved
up Fayetteville street out Hillsboro street
TO the Fair grounds.
On the arrival at the Fair grounds the
exercises formally opening the Fair took
place in the grand stand Gen. w. r. Cox.
the president of the Fair, madl the open
ing address, presenting The Governor
when he concluded.
LAS a typical hayseeder and son Of
toll it gives me pleasure to welcome YOU
TO the Forty-first Annual Fair Gen. Cox
said. This Fair promises to be one of
the most magnificent in years. now wish
it is due. The active and energetic ef-
forts of the progressive and efficient SEC
retary, Mr. j. e. Pogde, have in large
way made the Fair what it iS.''
Gen. Cox spoke of the early history of
the Fair, its trials and its final success
He referred TO the fact that the Fair was
formerly the occasion FOR she most eli
quent discussions he had ever heard. IN
these discussions Thomas l.. Clipgman,
Judge Puffin, Col. Cameron and others
participated.
THE Fair is no longer an agricultural
one alone, but today it is iucationas as
we'll 1t is the great State holiday when
we meet together and renew bonds of
friendship. North Carolina has had mnIo
brave sons and glorious daught srs than
any State can boast of. We hve with us
today the youngest general of the Con-
federacy, who as a beardless boy entered
the ranks as a private and by ais soldier
ly qualities fought his way 10 the front
until he wore the coveted generals
wreath and what is more he richly de-
served it. (Applause.) This brave sol