St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-15
The Mechanics Fair.

| correspondence Oh Inc OAlSSNN''|'
There is more unoccupied space at
the Mechanics Fair than at McGown's
Food Fair, but the exposition is well
attended, $4,000 people passing through
the doors on Saturday, Oct 4. There
are no takers, and no side shows, one 20
cent ticket admits to all. Music is turn-
ished by Phinney's band who recently ap'
peared in St Johnsbury. Their uniforms
unique, the outer row of musicians as
they are seated on the platform wearing
red coats, the second row white and the
middle of the band including the leader
wearing blue.
One musical effect which attracted
much attention was the anvil Chorus,
given with real anvls to which were at
tached electric wires so that when struck
with a hammer the sparks would fly as
when striking white hot iron. A separ
ate theme is given at each concert, one
evening being selections from grand
opera. another being college songs, etc.
The largest single exhibit is the very
interesting show of printing and book
binding, showing every stage otthe work
up to the finished book, stitched and
bound with the covers stamped and edges
gilded. The Walter Baker Co. have a
large booth advertising their Chocolate
prepa atoms. On the roof Of This exh bit
is palm garden where lectures are given
daily by Miss Burr who will be pleasant
ly rene mbered by the ladies on account
Of her services in this same line at st
Johnsbury. The most impressive ft allure
of the fir is the waterfall, an imitation
Niagara, being about 20 feet high and so
or 70 leet long. A thin sheet of water
runs over painted rocks and back of the
falls is a constant procession of scream
ing oh ldren and giggling girls. Impress
sive statistics of so many hundreds OF
gallons of water day are given as pass
ing over the falls but it is, of course, the
same water used over again by means OF
De Laval motor pump not much larger
than -four barrel. There is golf links
with one hole course on which an ex-
pert player is exhibiting golf goods, and
couple of skilled pool players draw a
constant and admiring crowd as they
demonstrate their particular billiard
table. Silk weaving is shown by JAG
guard loom which weaves 16 ribbons all
alike at the same time.
A large exhibit is shown of arts and
crafts furniture, new fad. This furniture
is made on the simplest possible lines,
absolutely without ornament alton and
almost without finish, no varnish or
filing being used, nothing but moss
green or bark brown stain. Many large
dealers like Shepard and Norwell have
an exhibition of miscellaneous goods
with courteous clerks in attendance.
In the basement is a large EXHIBIT of au
tomobies, but none Of them are running,
although this very room is large enough
for track and is sometimes used for the
horse show.
The upper floor is given over to the
woman's department and is largely edu-
cational, being along the lines OF home
economics and social service Rooms
are shown side by side, one fitted up with
the useless gewgaws OF modern art"
and the other furnished at the same price
with simple, wholesome materials which
will not catch dust nor hatbor disease
Photographs are shown suggesting mex
pensive but effective methods of planting
small private grounds and others which
show the treatment of "a lrOad stations
and other public parks. Cooking dem
onstrations are G ven daily in the food
department and an xpensive dinner is
served to show the attractive and health
full conf nations of food that can be
had for small amount of money. The
actual cost Of each item of food is giveo
on the bill OF fare. An attractive feature
of the woman's department is the day
nursery where mothers visiting the fair
may leave their children to be enter
tanned with music and games, under the
direction Of trained nurses. No charge
is made for this service unless lunch is
furnished. Lectures on some home or
educational subject are given daily in an
adjoining hall, the speaker on Friday
last being Miss Sarah Arnold, formerly
well known in St. Johnsbury.
Tie Photographers Association OF New
England have collected display of pho.
tographs from the United States, Canada,
France, Germany, Sweden and Great
Britain, which is worthy of more atten
ton than it receives. The basement con
tains the mechanics exhibit proper, in
Nchinq Joints