Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-27
The Messer-Per1ey Co.,

L. Hersey shows fine footwear; in the
booth adjoining, c. H. Pettis has fine
display of candy, and beyond that, l. T..
Wellnlan is demonstrating the advan-
tases of the Singer sewing machine.
The last booth in the row is occupied
by Treasurer Brown and Secretary
Cartilage of the union. and both are
very busy men.
Over in the northwest corner of the
hall, under the balcony, is the ice
cream booth, which was presided over,
last night, by Michael Kelly of Gardi-
nor. This corner was a specially popu-
lar one. There is another ice cream
booth behind the west balcony, but it
was not i'll operation, last night. On
the left of the entrance to the hall is Il
soda fountain. This is presided over by
Geo. S. Weeks. and cooling drinks are
dispensed with great celebrity.
Everyone went to the fair, last night,
to see the star attraction OF the three
nights, the Darktown Minstrels; and
though everybody had to look over
somebody's shoulders unless they were
tail enough to look over their heads, all
were more than pleased with the pre-
-ttiitdtloI ne IlllilStIclS were COIil-
posed almost wholly of ladies. the only
gentlemen in the cast being Benedict
Maher, the interlocutor. Messrs. O'Con-
nell and Hopkins and Houlehan and
Hopkins, the end men, and little Jamie
Colgan, the mascot.
The ladies were attired in red and
yellow waists and black skirts, ana
e"ch girl with a yellow waist wore a
:" CO.. =; 10: throat. while the girls
in yellow Wrists wo,e red. Their faces
We're of that pronounced brunette type
which comes from the application of
burnt cork, and the general effect was
decidedly 'niggery." The men were
very picturesque in evening dress, with
striking garniture.
1t cannot be said otherwise than that
the minstrels We're decided hit. The
music and jokes. the latter being most
ly of a local flavor, had the touch and
80 feature of the real thing in min
Strelsy, and the singers We're at their
best. 1t would be difficult 10 make any
special mention, for every one was
most pleasing in their particular part.
and all were generously encored. Miss
Elida Calderwood ofIicated as accom-
panist in very acceptable manner.
At the conclusion of the minstrel pro-
gram an intermission of 80 minutes
was had to allow the contestants in the
different mOney-making devices to get
in their unwritten work upon the au-
dience, after which the evenings enter
tainmcnt was concluded with the soc
ond part of the program. which includ
cd specially work by well-known talent
from this city and Gardiner. reading
by Edward Quinn of Portland. and
singing by Miss Sara Miller and c. f.
BilOGeau.
The entertainment was 4 success
throughout and pleased all who were
present. giving first impression of the
fair which will be sure to draw an
othe" big crowd. tonight. The min
strels We're made up wholly of local
talent and, under the training of Mrs.
\. L. Brown, presented first-class en-
tertainment.
The program which has been ar
ranged for this evening is an excellent
one and is composed of the following
numbers:
Vocal Selection. Miss Alice Quincy Lane
Humorous Selections, w. o. Fuller, Jr.
Vocal Selections, Ahnaki Quartet
Reading. Miss Maude Andrews
Vocal Solo. Miss Lane
Double Clog Dancing Burns and Brann
recitation, Mary Fitzgerald
Selections, Abnaki Quartet
Reading, Miss Maudc Andrews
humorous Selections, Mr.. Fuller
Recitation, Arthur Fitzgerald
Speciality. Alfred Johnson
The fair will close. Thursday evening,
with the distribution of presents to
season ticket holders, and a grand ball,
with music by Monaghan's orchestra,
and it is probable that the night will
see one of the largest audiences that
has ever assembled in City hall.
nnNAl LIE lAE