The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

The greatest and most successful fair in the history of the Alabama State Fair association closed Saturday night at 10:30 o'clock and It's splendid success will serve as an incentive to provide an even better and bigger show next year. For the first time since the opening of the fair the weather last night was unproptious, but at that there were many visitors on the grounds at the closing scenes. The fair management fully kept their promises to the public and every feature advertised was presented and kept on the grounds until the gates closed last night.
 The fair started under most favorable conditions. It was nearer complete at it's opening than any previous fair. The splendid records of former years served to advertise it and the people of the state and adjoining states showed their appre- citation by their attendance.
 Attendance Record Broken
 It is too soon to give out actual figures. but according to the statements of the fair officials the attendance will exceed that of former years by many thousands.
 The weather conditions all through the fair have been ideal, little warm, possi- bly, but fair, and until Saturday night all that could be desired
 Long before the fair opened the of fcers and board of directors of the fair association had been busy making the necessary preparations. but from the time the fair opened until It's close some of them never left the grounds. Presi- ata,- sl.of fee were at the helm from start to fin- ish, and more than any others had not an idle moment. Among those who stayed through thick and thin were ex-President B. B. Burton, George Blinn, R. A. Brown. Coleman Blaeh, J. N. Rose and few others, who rendered great aid to the fair officials.
 What Made Success
 To the business energy and push" of the men composing the board of directors and the untiring efforts of the immedi- ate officials is due the splendid success of the fair Only those who are familiar with such institutions can appreciate the great amount of detail work and the heavy financial liabilities that are at tached to an institution of the magnitude of the Alabama State Fair association.
 The crowd that visited the grounds Sat urday afternoon was kept busy watching the great variety of free acts and sport ing events that were on the programme for the day. Commencing with the pony parade, which highly pleased the chill dren, Aviator Dyott made his customary beautiful flight in his monopane. The free acts and the motorcycle races kept up the interest until the football game, and the concert by Liberati. There was not single moment that some perform ance was not presented or some sport event pulled off.
 McLewis a Feature
 The feature of the motorcycle races yesterday afternoon was the remarka- ble race of Tommy McLewis. a local younsster who broke into the profess sional ranks Friday. He finished sec- ond. and close second at that, in 10 mile race in which Bake. Joyce and Mitchell were his competitors. Tho local boy kept well in the lead from the start and gave the winner. Cham L,on Bake. one of the hardest races he has had since the beginning of the meet. The race ended in the order named, Bake. McLewis. Joyce and Mitchell.
 In the second race, with three en- tries. they finished. Bake first, Joyce second, McLewis third.
 The superiority of Bake over his competitors has been established with out question. as he won nearly every contest. It Is only fair to Mitchell to say that he came to Birmln gham on d hurried call" and did not bring his own racing machine. and had to use | borrowed one. The racing on the whole has been good and much praise is due W. D. Gresham. who has had the races