The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-22

The number of people attending the Alabama state fair Is on the increase ev- cry day, and it bids fair by Saturday ratio of increase continues it will cer- talnly touch those figures
 On Monday the fair management thought the crowd unusual. on Tuesday its highest hopes were realized, but yes terday a higher mark was reached and the predictions are for still bigger fig ures today.
 It is estimated that not less than 5000 more people were at the fair grounds yesterday and last night than on Tues day At all of the gates the number of tickets was larger and not a few of these were from the railroad coupons. In fact the number of out of town peo- pie yesterday was far in excess of any previous day. while there were more Bir- mingham people present by a goodly number.
 Today's Crowd.
 Today the management looks for an immense crowd again and, with Walth- our on the programme for Friday after noon the largest of the week will be counted. As Saturday is the closing day it will probably mean a still bigger crowd.
 The size of the crowds is due to sew eral things, the chief of which is the mid way and the excellent attractions fur nished in front of the grand stand morn ing, afternoon and night.
 After persons leave the midway they naturally tell their friends that 1t is the eleanest aggregation of shows they have ever seen, and then the friends have desire to go. This spreading of the news has increased the crowds every day and the midway shows are doing what is con sidered a marvellous business. At every performance of each show there is a full tent, no matter what is going on in oth- CT portions of the grounds. or what free attractions there are on the midway
 Dan Robinson and his managers are very much gratified with the crowds they have been entertaining, but state that it is nothing more than the company de- serves, as it is endeavoring to give the public good, clean amusement.
 The Cavalry.
 Each day morning and night. the cav- airy adds new feature to it's drill, and this is bringing people back to the grounds time after time. Each new drill seems to be more difficult than any of the preceding ones, and frequently the crowd is breathless with excitement The drills of the cavalry have proven very popu- lar, and the fair management is satisfied that securing the troop was the best pos sible thing for the fair
 Not only does the cavalry give two drills a day, but in the afternoon three of the crack riders give the public one of the best Roman races 1t has ever witnessed These three riders have an exciting race. stand on the bare backs of their horses for half mile, and 1t is always an im- possibility to pick the winner with any degree of certainty. There is nothing fixed about the races. and the soldiers enter into it with such life and enthusiasm that it is really pleasure to watch them outside of the excitement
 Exciting Feat.
 Another feature which the soldiers arc putting on every afternoon is the relief race. There are two squads of five men on horseback. One of these squads is at either end of the stretch of the track, and one squad have their horses on the grounds. At the crack of revolver shot the five on horseback race to the other