The Washington herald., 1908-06-14

Never was such fun promised as is ex-
pected at the rural jubilee and barn dance
to be given Tuesday. Wednesday. and
Thursday next at the Benning race track
Loyal Elks have worked, regardless of
! time and personal demands. to make the
jubilee a success, and the Elks say that
only a typhoon can prevent them from
carrying out the best three days fun that
Washingtonians have enjoyed in many a
day,
This three days event is 10 be held in
the interests OF the Elks' building fund
The organization has completed one Of
the handsomest fraternity houses, which
not only serves as an imposing home for
the local Elks. but adds TO the architec-
ture of the city The coming festival is
therefore Of interest to every citizen Of
Washington. and it is expected the at
tendance will be such as TO make the pro-
verbally fleet Elk hustle to keep up with
the procession Of business.
keynote Is Laughter.
! The keynote OF the jubilee will be
laughter. The Elks propose to carry their
friends back 10 a rural settlement, IN fact
as we'll 'as in spirit, and will introduce all
those amusements and sports that have
| formed the basis OF the latter-day diver
sions. II viii be fun Of a wholesome and
| substantial nature, such as entire families
may take part in. and the sports viii be
above reproach. both as 70 participants
and comfort
In the last week the Benning track has
| been transformed into an exposition vii
lage. James NJ. Dunn had a large force
! Of men at work setting up the buildings
and booths and making additions 70 the
/ permanent structures. while a small army
Of electricians and wiremen. decorators
and painters. and canvasmen completed
their labors yesterday afternoon. Fred J.
Mersheimer. chairman of the executive
committee, announced that all Is in readi-
ness for the great show.
The opening day Is Tuesday next and
the hour o'clock The gates will be
open at l o'clock and II Is expected a
mighty most will file in at the gates
Promptly at o'clock a short formal
opening exercise will be bad Fred J.
Mersheimer. chairman Of the executive
/ committee Will appear IN one Of the
grand-stand boxes. accompanied by Judge
william II. De Lacy. Of the Juvenile
Court, who will make the opening ad-
dress. Mr. Mcrsheimer will also make
few remarks. and as The Star Span
gled Banner is played by CaldweIl's
Union Band the Stars and Stripes will
be unfurled and the EIks' rural Jubilee
and barn dance OF 1908 will be in progress.
Ranged In front Of the rostrum will be
men prominent In the Official. professional.
and business life Of the Capital. as well
as the local Elks. their wives. mothers
daughters and sweethearts. and that great
mass OF the local population that loves
an afternoon and evening fun
Dr. c. F. Hadneld. chairman OF the
trotting races committee. says his events
have oil filled" and the best equine
stock Of Washington and the nearby
States is ready for the starters flag. The
trotting races will be the first thing on
the programme and each event will be
run or in rapid succession.
Colts 10 he shown,
Two and three year old colts will be
shown to halter for prizes. and blue
ribbon park drivers will be shown in
their best style The horses will be
scarcely of the track when a mammoth
circus parade we'll wend its way from the
great tent that has been erected in the
track oval. This and the performance
to follow are expected TO be one OF the
treats Of the festival. 1t will be an old
time one-ring circus. Prof Maurice
Joyce will be ring master and manager.
Prof Joyce has arranged a novel act
fOr ponies, which will be ridden by their
owners. the sons OF prominent men OF
Washington.
There is a young man known as Al
thea" He is after a record as a daring
diver. and has signed contract with
the Elks 10 dive from a platform eighty
feet in the air. landing in n five-foot
tank. He has promised to do IT twice a
day, In the afternoon and night. and
survive the three days festival.
All the food will be prepared under the
direction of we'll known chef. who will
have the assistance Of a large force of
cooks and scullions, and forty walters 10
serve It.
The straw ride has been arranged in a
capital manner by Chairman J. William
Lee and a committee. Mr.. Lee is accept
ing reservations for seats in wagons
which will leave the Peace Monument
each evening Of the jubilee at $50 o'clock
Regulation seats will be provided. and
the wagons will be gaily decorated. Music
will go with the cavalCade.
Dancing in the Barn.
There will be dancing in the big barn"
afternoon and evening The music for
the dancing will be independent Of the
big band that will play in the grand stand
afternoons and evenings. The barn has
been appropriately decorated. and. under
the joint direction of George A. Mason
and Herman Richards, and those who
dance and those who enjoy looking on,
will have every facility for a good time.
The Elks have set aside a room.
equipped with all appliances for emer-
gency cases. where several physicians,
working in relays from a large committee,
will be on duty at all hours. These ply