The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-10-20
THE STATE FAIR
NEARS THE END
Today is Styled Military and
Automobile Day
DAN PATCH THIS AT TERN0ON
Track Expected to Be In Excellent
condition-Great Crowds Yester-
day-All Great
Races.

When the sun goes down this afternoon
the Alabama State Fair will be numbered
with the events of the past.
The largest attendance of the week
thronged the fair grounds yesterday. On
account of a bad track and high breeze
the star features of the day were again
cancelled. Dan Patch was unable to go
against his record, and the Beachey air
ship could not sail
1t was children's day and merchants
day combined. Hundreds of school chill
dren remained on the grounds from morn
ing to night. A general holiday was de-
clared in all the city schools. The mer-
of them closed their doors for the purpose
of allowing their employees to visit the
fair. The attendance in the afternoon was
something like $1,000. Inc grounds and
buildings were completely filed and peo-
pie hung about the fences and climbed
upon the top of the grandstand. Through
out the day 1t is estimated that nearly
$1,000 people visited the fair.
The feature of the day was the mag
nificent racing programme. On account Of
the imperfect track, several of the most
important turf events scheduled for
Thursday We're seen yesterday afternoon.
The athletes of the Young Mems Christian
Il. -.
gramme. and there was in addition a
motor cycle event.
Dan Patch Today.
In addition to the thousands of people
who were disappointed yesterday that
Dan Patch the wonderful PAGER that has
established a phenomenal record of a
mile in :55. could not go against this rec
ord yesterday, and the management of the
fair, as well as the visitors. were filled
with regret that the chief attraction could
not take place.
The track, due to the heavy rain of
Thursday, was not in perfect condition.
and while Driver Hersey states that he
could have driven the horse mile in
two minutes probably, he knew that the
was in case the 1.55 record was not APP
preached. President Culpepper Exum, in
an interview, declared that the horse
would certainly be driven this afternoon
in case heavy rain did not fall. The
owner of Dan Patch is determined that his
record shall be broken If possible, and this
is the last chance of the season that the
horse will have an opportunity to achieve
that end
The track yesterday was several seconds
slow, and in addition was exceedingly
circuit horses. which generally make a
mile in 2:07. were unable to cover the dis
lance under 2:15 yesterday afternoon.
Driver Jersey Talks.
II could have driven Dan Patch yester-
day, and he would probably have made
the mile in two minutes" said Driver
Hersey yesterday afternoon when he
noticed the disappointment that was on
every face.
But is 1t MOI true that the disappoint-
ment would have been greater had the
horse gone the mile but a few seconds
faster than several other horses covered
that distance this afternoon?
'In order that the mile be covered in
the remarkable time of LOS, the track
must be in perfect condition, the horse
must be in excellent shape, and no acct
dent must occur. In the first place, the
track was altogether out of sorts this
afternoon, and it was L who suggested
the postponement.
MY instructions from Mr. Savage are
to drive Dan Patch faster than 155. This
a portion of a second from the record, and
we are determined to do so. / believe
that the track will be perfect Saturday,
and | am confident that the record will
be approached. If not euualled, or broken.
In case it does not rain, the horse will
be driven tomorrow, even if there is no
chance to breaf the record"
Immediately after the hose show last
evening, men were put to work preparing
the track for Dan Patch this afternoon
The management is determined that the
horse shall be driven, and will endeavor
to fulfill the promise that the record
will be equaled if not broken.
The Airship.
The other star feature of the day was
necessarily postponed yesterday The
Beachey airship, on account of the high