The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-17
Judge Banks Responds to the :. Welcome on Behalf
 of Visitors
RACES ARE BIG FEATURE
 OF ALABAMA STATE FAIR
Airship Will Ascend Twice Today. Music Arouses Favorable Com ment-Vulcan Attracts Att
 tention of Home Corners.

Yesterday was Home Coming day Tne exercises of welcome at the State Fair grounds were full of interest and the oe- casion was altogether joyous. With the decorated grandstand filled with crowds of Alabamans hundreds of whom from distant states were brought home for the week by the tie that binds, cordial speeches of welcome by Mayor Ward, Gov ernor Jelks and Judge Banks, now of Denver, the song Home to Alabama, sung by T. V. Boardman, breathing forth the spirit of the occasion and inspiring music by Kopps' military band, the event was fittingly signalized. The Home Com ing song was composed by Mrs. c. w.. Heeb.
 Robert Jemison, Jr., president of the Commercial club, introduced the speakers The ceremony began about noon. Inc grandstand was alive with enthusiasm Fully seven thousand people were pres ent and long, slumbering echoes were awakened by their cheers.
 The music of the band foated past Vul- can down to the horses in the paddock, and they seemed to know that they would soon be put on their mettle. The music was good enough to arouse inanimate things. When the addresses were over the crowd busted itself seeing the various booths in the exhibit hall, where all was life and color. They saw the exhibits of merchants and products of the ground, from big pumpkins to apples and corn, and they pronounced them fine. Too much could not be said in praise of the womans building, and the credit which is due to Mrs J. B. Reid, who has charge of it. Then wandering down the long lane of church booths, which front the walk leading from the main entrance, the crowd had chance to drink "the best coffee on the grounds" at each stand Between the Home Coming ceremony and the races beginning at o'clock there were plenty of ways for the throng to amuse itself, and tomorrow there will bS still more, for the airship has arrived and is on the grounds.
 At 10 o'clock in the morning the first ascension will be made. Again at p. m. the airshp will go up. This will be the first exhibition of the kind ever given in the south and the fair grounds are expected to be crowded long before the time for the first ascension.
 The Home Coming exercises yesterday were as follows:
 Address of Welcome. On behalf of the city of Birmingham. Mayor George B. Ward. welcomed the home-comers as follows:
 our hearts are filled with pride and oil 1a bamians and bid them gather here for love feast this coming week. To the mighty hosts of descendants and representatives of her sons and daughters who have wandered off into differ ent parts of the world, Birmingham, the youngest and most vigorous daugh- ter of our grand old Commonwealth, opens wide her arms and bids them re- turn and make merry; she bids you re- new old acquaintances; to revel in the rei'Ivenating atmosphere of former years; to revive tender associations of the past and enjoy the rapture of handclasps of old time friends; and we especially bid you to make this home for the time being, and for all who will, may it be home for the rest of theii days.
 To Alabamans from within the state We likewise extend a cordial welcome, and ask that they come and help Us re- ceivc those from afar and take part Tn the festivities of this occasion-to be at ance guests and hosts; guests of the people of Birmingham and hosts to our brothers and sisters, who are returning to the old roof tree
 I have now the pleasure of introducing Hon. w. D. Jellls, governor of Alabama, who will welcome you on behalf of the state.
 Governors Speech.
 Governor Jelks spoke as follows:
 Tt gives me great pleasure to look into the faces of returning Alabamians and to extend to them d word of welcome to .he state.
 You have changed your allegiance, but not your affections. You have sworn fealty to some other government, but your heart responds first to the call of the state which you left in your earlier and ulayhap happier years. It's hills and its valleys, it's streams and its fields have hold upon you which other sections bearing other hills and valleys and streams and fields cannot efface from your memory or move out of view of your tender vision. There can be no place like the early home. We read that those who leave bleak and barren .thores " ;he stony places in their hearts; that