Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-25
AK.SAR- BEN CARNIVAL OPENS
Gates Of Street Fair Are Aiar and Grounds
Are Crowded.
MORE EXTENSIVE THAN EVER
shows More Numerous and of Better
Quality Than Those of Former
Yenrs - Banda Rossa
Arrives Friday.

Yenrs - Banda Rosa
Arrives Friday.
AT 2 o'clock yesterday the street fair OF
the knights of Ak-Sar- Ben was opened to
the public. The displays had been delayed
by the rainy weather of the last three days,
but when the gates we're opened the
weather was all that could be desired The
sun came from behind the blanket OF
clouds which had concealed IL and the nip
ping north wind Of the morning had died
down until 1t was but pleasant zephyr
Covalt's band, which has been engaged for
the season, played the first music in the
grounds. The Banda Rosa will arrive
Friday for the remainder Of the carnival.
1t was decided, on account Of the unfinished
condition Of the displays, to charge nothing
for admission until evening, so the crowd
which came in the afternoon passed through
the gates without cost. Many took ad-
vantage of the opportunity to get hrst sight
Of the eighteen shows which were then
Installed while the first day will see all OF
the FIVE free shows ready for business.
The enterprise is larger this year than
1t ever has been and one is impressed with
the general high standing of the shows,
many of them never having come to Omaha
except during the Transmississippi exposi-
tion. There are some which are in prep
! aration for display at the ST. Louis exposi-
tion in 1904, thus giving Omaha visitors the
| first opportunity to see the exhibitions.
More Exhibitors Than Ever.
While the visitors were running over the
| grounds and inspecting all Of the novel and
entertaining features from 300 to 400 men
were busily engaged in putting the final
/ touches upon the displays. The line of ex-
| hibitors is larger than It has ever been.
| This is gratifying to the management, as
| last year the display by merchants and man :
ufacturers was not as large as II was the
! first year OF the fair.
This morning the arrangements will
| be complete and the regular program OF
| the fair will begin. The band will take
station at o'clock in the afternoon at some
central point, where it will play for some
| time and then march to the grounds, where
z concert will be given. The free eXhibi-
tions will take place afternoon and evening
as announced, and for ten days the fun will
be fast and furious
For the AbyssInian GrOundhOE.
The following telegram was received from
Colonel Chilcott at Albany Tuesday, ad-
dressed to President Thomas Fry Of the
Board of Governors:
ARRIVE Omaha Thursday afternoon. Meet
me with closed van for animal, and light
luggage wagon. II Abyssinian ground hos
is to be exhibited must have light. airy
room, temperature 81 degrees minimum
Also provide feed per diem one-half bushe
raw peanuts, eight pounds baked squash
one pound stick licorice, one peck fresI
Portulacca roots. Arrange quarters for two
Abyssinian attendants, who remain or
watch continuously. Answer care British
consulate. Chicago"
Mr.. Fry wired Immediately accepting al
conditions. The board is in somewhat OF
quandary. however, regarding the supply o.
fresh Portulacca roots. Anyone knowing
where they can be procured at any pric,
will confer a great favor on the Board o.
Governors by at once telephoning Mr.. Luthe
Kountze, phone 1923.
Big Crowd mt Night.
When the lights at the carnival ground
were turned on last night there was a jar
at the gates to get in. The first Of tn
crowd was on the grounds before that time
the turnstie recording the first paid en-
trance about $3.50 o'clock. and by 8 oclocl
Douglas from Sixteenth to Seventeenth wa
packed with those who desired to enter tn
grounds. The committee in charge of tn
fair had not expected such a rush the frs
night, as none OF the free attractions wer
to be given, so but one ticket seller was a
work. The crowd was too large for hin
however, and for some time Fred Metz
chairman Of the committee. sold ticket
until the pressure at the gates was relieved
The illumination within the grounds
excellent, the contract with the electri
, light company calling for the equivalent {
5000 sixteen candle-power lamps within tn
enclosed space. A large number OF tn
booths we're not completed last night an
= were open. The committee from the Doug
/ las County Agricultural society has bu
partially installed that exhibit, but say
that 1t will be in shape BY noon today.
The manager OF the attractions has nC
yet decided upon the hours when the FIRE
attractions will be presented, further tina
that the last act Of the afternoon will go o
about $3.50 and the last act at night abol
$3.50. All Of the concessions except or
were in shape at the opening and the mid
] way attracted the crowd in the absence
! the free shows.
The committee decided that the illum
nations OF the streets will not begin unit
Saturday night, instead of last night, {
first announced. Thirty-two blocks are
p be illuminated with the incandescent lamp
= 100 lamps TO the block. besides those use
in the carnival grounds and those upon II
municipal, county and ONCE buildings.