The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-09-03
.DELUGE DAMpS CROWD
HEAVENLY PYRoTEcHNIcS DIN
Mr.. PAINS EFFORTS
Thousands of People Are Caught in a
Heavy Storm on the Fair Grounds
Fireworks Set Off in Spite of Rain
Throng Is Good Natured, But Very
Wet.

j. PlUVluS was not ofhc1ally upon the
programme for the entertainment at
the fair grounds last night, but he
made his appearance, nevertheless, and
attempted to break UP the enjoyment
Of the thirty thousand people who
had gathered there for the evening per-
Torrance. H'ss
In the big grand stand 10000 people
were seated and the crowd in the pad
dock had just settled comfortably when
the first of the big drops Of rain fell.
The knowing ones declared that 1T
couldn't last long" and 400 or 500 UNI
brellas were raised while the folks in
the boxes hurried back under the roof
for shelter.
However, the management of the fair
was not to be baff1ed by the elements,
and it was, decided, after hurried con-
sultation,5to run off the programme and
the start was made.
The band struck up lively tune, an
attendant struck a match and into the
air shot myriads of colored balls of fire
and rockets In another instant the
siege of Pekin had begun. True, the
people in the cast did not appear in
as great numbers as usual, but every
piece of fireworks was set off and the
Roman standing race and the chariot
race were run.
Lightning Wed With Fireworks.
While this was going On, the ele-
ments settled down to their work in
earnest and for about twenty minutes
the heavens turned loose a flood. Light
ming We'd with the rockets, eolored fire
and Roman candles, while the thunder
tried it's best to drown the bombs that
were fast destroying Pekin.
On the grounds thousands Of people
were walking about when the rain
came. There was hurried and con-
certed movement for the buildings and
halls as We're open were filled to their
fullest capacity, The exhibitors who
had their wares outside hastily covered
them with canvas.
On the midway the effect of the
storm was startling. The "barkers''
were shouting and added to their reg
ulation speeches to come in out Of the
wet"
Stopped the Shows.
Inside the tents they sat around and
smoked and talked about their hard
luck. The smallest horse on earth was
put to bed and the Minnesota giant
accompanied by mere man fisk feet
stalked majestically toward the ST.
Paul gate The show was over at 8 80
as far as the midway was concerned.
LII liz Illdlll HILL Lie GAulUllOTS WHO
had wares to sell made the most of
the occasion and forced customers to
their booths They cried their articles
Justify and business was rushing for
! the people, having nothing to do but
stand around, must needs be induced
to buy souvenir Of the great Mime
sofa state fair.
There was a great rush for street
cars, but even at 1920 the cars to St
Paul were crowded to the gates. After
the first heavy shower there were few
| light ones, but they were scattered and
| the people, many of them, who had
started for the cars, turned back and
| spent the evening walking about and
| viewing the exhibits.
| One or two shows on the midway at
| tempted to do little business, but
| they were soon discouraged. But little
| wind accompanied the storm and the
| damage by water was very light. Moth
| ing OF serious nature was reported tc
| the management or to police headquar-
| tiers.