The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-27
Fair Association Hopes to Have
 Famous Soldier Here
PRESIDENT MITCHELL COMING
Opening Date of Falr Set Back Three Days So as to Allow Exhibitors First Part of Week to Ar
 range Displays.

As President Roosevelt has ordered General Miles to the Philippines, and as the general will sail about September 15. it will not be possible for him to be pres ent at the Alabama state fair. The fair association invited him some days ago to come, but this was done before the plans of the President were made public.
 John Mitchell, president of the United Mime Workers of America, has signifed his intention to be present at the fair if the great anthracite strike Is settled in time. As there are now strong indica- tions that such a settlement is near at hand. 1t is pretty safe to assume that John Mitchell will be the guest of honor on union day. which will be made one of the most notable days of the Alabama state fair of 1902. If MT. Mitchell is able ! to come it Is certain that the labor or ganizations of the Birmingham district will give him grand ovation. The de- tails of what will be done cannot be guessed at this stage. but 1t Is probable that a procession will take place in honor of MT. Mitchell which will be record breaker in all respects. The fair asso- citation has invited MT. Mitchell to make an address on "The Future of Union- ism"
 News comes every now and then of the fall of some baloonist who is fatally in- jured or maimed for life; but the wizard of the Air." the great Italian, Alvini, goes merrily on thrilling vast crowds in all the northern cities by his wonderful cannon act, which is we'll Illustrated in the accompanying cut. Nobody would care to see man fall helplessly from a height of 5000 feet, and Alvini takes good care not to commit any such blunder. When he is discharged from the loaded cannon he goes out feet foremost and takes his parachute with him. He then descends to the earth with as little con- cern as one feels who rides down in an elevator. The beautiful still weather of October in Birmingham will remind the Italian of his native land. and he Is cer- tain to make at the state fair some of the finest ascents of his career.
 For the exhibition of the marvellous diving hcrses which will be the great est free feature of the state fair this | fall, 1t will be necessary to construct a large pond of water, having depth of at least ten feet, and an ascending bridge on which the diving horses may walk in reaching the diving platform, thirty-two 1 feet from the ground. These wonderful animals learned their trick themselves when small colts. Their mothers were in a separate pasture when the time came to wean them, and between the mares and foals was 8 deep stream running swiftly below steep and lofty banks. Their owner found the colts with the mares each morning, and on setting night watch upon them, found that they leaped from the banks soon after mid night and swan to the other shore. The idea of placing them on exhibition arose from this. and they are the only horses in the world that can perform such a feat No such marvel has ever been wit messed in Alabama, and for this reason the fair management believes that an at- traction has been secured that will draw Alabama, and from other states. to the great fair of 1902.
 A slight change has been made in the date of opening the fair. October 20 comes on Monday, and the opening will take place on Thursday, October 23. giving three days in the early part of the week for receiving and arranging the ex- hibits It is now certain that the agricul- tural, the live stock. the floral, the wom- ans and all other departments will be far in advance of anything ever seen m an Alabama fair. The grounds will be handsomely decorated with flags and hunting.