The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-31

showed that 1864 persons had passed
into the state fair grounds this morn
ing. There were probably over 1000
more who went thru the team gates,
making the morning attendance about
1850.
Secretary E. W. Randall declares that
the attendance is remarkably large con-
sidering the weather for the figures are
almost as large as the morning returns
of yesterday.
From financial standpoint the day
is moneymaker.
Cold, dispiriting rain, blown across
the grounds by a steady southeast
wind, began to soak the state fair
grounds at O'Clock this morning and
continued it's uncomfortable work dur
ing the morning and early afternoon.
For hours the crowded cars con-
tinued to unload their dripping freight
cities after more Of the thousands. who
were determined to view the fair at
any cost. Those thousands who first
arrived put on a bold front and kept
to the buildings as much as possible,
For the first few minutes following
their arrival the visitors chung to the
ample earshed, which is a valuable fea-
ties provided by the Twin City Rapid
Transit company, and for most Of the
morning the shed was the most popu-
lar place on the ground The ena rain
idly biting their nails or gazing at the
idly biting their nails or gazing wistful-
ly at the Journal building, directly in
front Of them. Then, in squads Of fifty
or more, they would make a break for
other shelter, and would presently be
swallowed up in the maze of structures
on the grounds.
Shelter being at premium the build
ings were crowded to an unusual ex.
tent, and the exhibits were inspected
as. they would, not have been on a
brighter day. The dairy and fish build.
ings, the poultry exhibit, the carriage
sheds and the various private exhibits
under separate buildings were the
promenades for the visitors who do not
always take advantage of the oppor-
In the eSposition buii ding, the WON
ans building and the Federation
building orchestras did great deal to
enliven an otherwise rather doubtful
occasion and the exhibitors took adj
vantage of the time and opportunity
to explain to spectators the virtues and
value Of the things offered
President Cosgrove Optimistic.
The silver lining to the great gray
cloud which hung over the fair grounds
and wept continually, was first seen
by President O. N. Cosgrove, who with
true optimism said
elm one way this rain is blessing in
disguise. 1t is heavy enough to promise
us dry weather on the morrow and may
be for the rest Of the week, and it is
also heavy enough to stop harvesting
operations temporarily, and therefore tc
send in to the state fair thousands OF
farmers who might, not otherwise fee.
able to come. The fair will probably be
the gamer by the rain.
Incidentally it may be remarked that
Mr.. Cosgrove offered to distribute SOC
umbrellas, gratis, if a prominent exhib
itor was able to get them on the GROUND
In time.
Nothing which the state fair man
agement has done in the way of i'm
provements for the fair of 1904 wa.
now skirt the principal roadways
Where, in other years, the rain ha
made Of the sidewalks muddy bitches
this year the people were walking al
most dry shod on metropolitan pave
ment and the change appealed to all.
The improvements in conditions under
comfort those who were strollin.
but lost in a forest of umbrellas. TIL
size of this forest and the density there
Of at. the entrances of the differen
buildings were increased every few
minutes by the arrival Of more carload
of visitors and 1t was the comfor
which the gradually increasing numbe
found in so much company which aide
in keeping up the crowd s spirits.
a