The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-18

Twenty-Five thousand people passed
through the turnstiles at the jubilee state
fair yesterday. viewed the numerous agri-
cultural and mechanical exhibits, wit
messed the fast work Of the trotters and
PAGERS on the track. literally patronized
the refreshment stands and in general got
what they went for-an old-fashioned good
time.
The estimate that fixes the crowd at 25,-
600 is. of course approximate. The officials
of the fair were too busy counting money
to make exact figures on the attendance.
SECRETARY Charles Downing, Treasurer La
grange and others familiar with the capac--
ity of the grounds and the crowds OF for
mer years. place the days attendance at
something like the figure given. One thing
is certain. the crowd was far and away
ahead of anything ever known on a
Wednesday OF fair week. II was I'm size
the kind of crowd that usually takes in
the last two days of the exposition.
This day." said Secretary Downing. as
he fitted from one place to another. con-
stantly besieged by questions and inquiries
about every conceivable matter having re-
lation to the exposition, lis the banner day
in the history of Indiana fairs We never
we are pleased is drawing IL mildly. Ev-
crything so far has passed of as smoothly
as our most sanguine wishes could have
anticipated. i attribute the success Of the
jubilee fair to four things
1.-The prosperity of the farmers who have
harvested the finest crops In years, and
who have consequently dollars this year
where they had cents last year, is perhaps
weather. that is ideal for an open-air cell
ebration. is responsible for the success al
most as much. If it continues 1 would be
almost afraid to make predictions on the
attendance for the rest OF the week The
character and number of the exhibits of all
kinds is the third reason. No State fair
ever had as many interesting and at the
same time significant displays of all sorts
of agricultural and mechanical productions
as are on exhibition at this one. People
who came here with the idea OF taking an
idle glance ut anything that might strike
their fancy. remain to study and examine
closely machinery. vehicles, new inven-
tions, food products, fine stock and other
things that are eloquent of the growth
and prosperity of Indiana The fourth
reason for our success is John Philip Sousa.
Die you ever hear of any State fair having
the famous band leader as an attractiony
Thousands are undoubtedly attracted by
the desire to see the leader and to hear the
music of his renowned band. OF course
there are other reasons, but these are the
most important elements Of our success"
PEOPLE A SPECTACLE
Those unused to judging the size OF
crowds would have placed the fair attend
ance of yesterday at any figure from 10000
TO 50000. The fair grounds is a big place.
and covers a lot of territory, but where
ever the eye Travelled there were people.
people. always people. always moving.
shifting, drifting from one place Of interest
to another, a kaleidoscope, moving-pic-
ture sort OF crowd that was. in the alb
stract spectacle. In the concrete IL was
units OF people intensely interested In the
business or enjoyment at hand. The long.
wide street along which are the principal
exhibits was a mass OF people all after
noon. From the grand stand at the east
end of the street 10 the midway OF the
sideshow tents at the west end beyond the
hall OF fine arts there moved continually
all sorts and conditions OF men. women and
children; the farmer with a keen eye for
suggestions I'm his business and another
no less keen TO guard against the allur-
ing talky-talk of the fakir; the city man
making no secret OF his surprise at the
magnificent display OF the output OF shop
and field: the farmers wife making for the
great show OF fruits. jellies and home
made bread i'm the table-luxuries depart-
ment and watching with eyes big with
surprise the newest things In dresses as
displayed by Der sisters of the city.
As on the T-st day there were children
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF all sizes and
ages and various stages OF cleanliness.
They tugged at the restraining hands OF
parents, poked their small. candy-smearcd
faces in every nook and corner, regarded
the sideshow "spielers" with wide-open,
amazed eyes. made comments on every
thing and everybody and were most in
teresting we'll as numerous feature OF
the big day.
IL the throngs on Exhibit street were
surprising. the crowded condition of the
grand stand from Immediately after the
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