Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-27
THE UNION FAIR
Opens at City Hall With a
Tremendous Crowd.
Excellent Stage Program and Plenty
to Keep Everybody Busy.
More Nights.

The grand three-nights fair Of the
Central Labor Union, which has been
in preparation for several months past,
opened, last evening, at City hall, and
will continue, tonight and Thursday
night. 1t has been the aim of the COM
mittee in charge of the different de-
tails to make the fair the largest event
of the kind yet held in the city, and
the thOroughness with which they have
done their work, and the results which
have been obtained, seem to indicate
that they have succeeded.
The object of the fair is to raise Il
fund which will enable the Union to
secure hall which shall serve as a
meeting place for the different labor
organiza lions of the city. and also for
Labor Day purposes. The Cent"a.
Labor Union includes not only the
trades unions of Augusta, but also
those of Hallowell and Gardiner, and
all are working for the common good.
is represented, and a great deal of in
tereSt has been manifested by all in
the welfare of the movement.
Last night did not provide the ideal
weather for the opening of a fair. A
stiff northeast snow storm Vas in
progress, making Il trip across the
river to City hall anything but pleas
ant. and no doubt many who would
otherwise have attended We're kept
away by the storm. But. however, that
was there was crowd enough present
to fill the hall. When it is known that
over $500 season ticllest for the fair
were sold, it does not require Il great
deal of figuring to show that there
would be big attendance, and there
was.
It was estimated that there were
over 1900 people present at the begin
ming OF the Introductory overture. The
hall seats about 1900 people, and last
night the floor was filled and it was
with difficulty that one could make his
way around the hall. Every seat in the
balcony was taken and people were
standing behind the rear seats. Con-
sidering that the night was stormy, the
crowd exceeded all expectations.
On entering the hall. one is Impress
ed by the pretty appearance it present
ed The stage. balcony and ceiling are
lastly decorated with red and white
bunting. and the general effect is added
the different labor organizations of the
three cities. And this. with the illumi-
nation of the hall by many electric
lights. presented a most brilliant spec
tacle.
Around the hall on two sides are ar
ranged u number of booths, draped in
harmony with the other decorations.
On the south side are the different
schemes To be disposed of. each in its
proper booth. including a sewing ma
chine to be given to the lady collecting
the largest amount of money; a Qua
ker range, for the person guessing
nearest to the number of beans in the
bottle: and a clock, to be awarded to
the one guessing the number of pump
kin seeds.
Then there is a mOney-getting ar
rangement in charge of Frank Whit
ton, and two wheels of fortune. in
charge of Fred Ellis and George Wick
ery of Hallowell. And lastly. over in
the southeast corner, is fish pond
where one can catch all kinds of arti-
cles. and Joe Luce bats the hooks.
Ranged along the east side of the
hall are a number of booths in which
are displays of several local traders.
Geo. D. Haskell is advertising coffee
and flavoring extracts and serving
samples of both. the latter being offered
in dainty ices. In the next booth F.