Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-08-14
"THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT
VESUNlUS."

The recent tragic episode OF mt
Vesuvius,' which has been chosen by
Henry j. Pain. the famous pyrotech-
mist as the theme OF his new great
open-air spectacle. will be seen every
evening at the State Fair.
Since that memorable day when
Vesuvius was born, and Pcmpeii died.
there have been hundreds of erup-
tions. large and small These have
varied greatly in their physical char
scter, al times being In a liquid and
white-hot mass, that swept torrent
like down the mountain, at nearly
mile a minute. and was still so hot
when II overwhelmed the surrounding
cities and villages, seven and eight
miles away, that 1t melted copper, sill
yer and even fiints.
OF the most recent eruption of
Vesuvius, which occurred In 1903, the
volcano hurled out blocks OF stone
45 feet in circumference, sent small
projectles thousands OF feet into the
air. and flames and smoke many
thousands OF feet higher. The noun
tain roared and beloved in way
that was deafening. and its fury shook
the houses at Naples. Not only the
crater but the black cone Itself, half
mile in height. was cracked in all
directions, and from these cracks and
vents flames were spouting. hundreds
OF feet high. with lightning flashes
and the air for miles was full OF flying
projectiles.
Looking at the bright and placid
little cities now closely grouped about
the Bay OF Naples. 1t is difficult to
realize that the dark looming UP be-
hind them is answerable for thousands
of human lives and the recent terrible
earthquake disaster. which wiped our
own beautiful city OF San Francisco
out Of existence. has aroused world
wide interest in these and former ca
tastrophes.
The graphic destruction of Vesuvius.
like Pains fireworks, has no dupli-
cate in the realm and thrilling produc.
ton of a tragic historical episode ever
conceived by man. Il is 8 veritable
pyrotechnic triumph that must be seen
70 be fully appreciated.
The attraction is organized equipped
and presented on a scale OF mag
nitude that almost appals, to an out
slider. First and foremost. with
everything bearing the PAIN" trade
mark Is. Of course, the fireworks. and
II is safe 10 say that nothing more
elaborate in this line has ever been
Witnessed in this city.
The circus features are represented
in the large number OF sensational
aerial acrobatic performances and var
ious hippCdrome attractions.
The scenic equipment Of the big
open-air exhibition SHOWS enough mas.
sive, 5eautifully-painted mountains.
palaces, buildings and streets. TO ex.
travagantly stock hundred OF the
most elaborate stage productions, but
the immense interest reported from
all points proves the wisdom OF the
arrangements enterprise. as in most
ventures, 1t is the big things" that
win.
This is by far the greatest attrac
ton ever shown at any fair in the
United States. The expense In Sc
curing the great attraction is a small
fortune. and yet the State Fair man
agement propose that everyone who
attends shall have the greatest value
for the money. The fair will be open
every evening and the Eruption OF
Mt Vesuvius" will be seen from the
the fair, commencing Saturday. An.
gust S0th. and ending Saturday even.
ing, September 9TH.
All Michigan railroads have granted
reduced rates for those who desire to
attend the Michigan State Fair In
Detroit. August 29th to September eth
Special excursion trains will also be
run on all the roads leading into De
troit Announcements will be made
IN due time giving the rate OF fair
and departure Of trains.
The Holland City Band is to be the
guest OF Manager Floyd during one
day OF the coming State Fair. This
band is one OF the best in the State.
An effort was made to secure their
services for the jamestown Expo
sition,