The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-11

Lowering clouds and drab skies
served not whit yesterday in dimin-
ishing the enthusiasm and interest OF
the crowds who visited the State Fair
Grounds, though they did have an ap-
preciable effect on the number of peo-
pie who went to the annual autumnal
show.
The day had been set aside for the
children and II general holiday in the
city public schools and in many of the
private institutions was declared SO
HAT the pupils might have the 'oppor-
tunity denied them before by the
weather of viewing the instructive ex-
h.bits OF the great resources Of their
native State. Taking into account the
general nclemency which has befallen
the State Fair and the weather Of yes-
terday. the crowd in the grounds was
far more than even the most optimis-
tic OF the directors had expected, and
the management was very we'll pleased
The most noticeable fact, character
istic OF previous days. as we'll as OF
yesterday was the large attendance
VI visitors from the country. More
country people-the people who either
make or mar the annual falr-haSe
visited It this year than during any
or the preceding seven years. They
nave more exhibits, both individual
and cooperative. and interest has been
moro manifest in spite OF any pro-
posed boycott.
Not Hurt by boycott.
IT am perfectly satisfied that agita-
tion BY prohibition;sts has not injured
the attendance at the State Fair" said
President Henry Fairfax. Our at
tendance on Richmond Day. with rains
practically every few minutes during
the day. was only about . per cent
under what it was n year ago. Our
whole attendance up to last night is
not more than 10 per cent less than 1t
vas on the corresponding day OF last
year.
The directors are most agreeably
pleased with the interest the people OF
Virginia are taking in the State Fair,
and with the fact that the instruc-
tive exhibits are doing wonderful
V ork and attracting people from all
ever the State. There are this year
many more people from. the country.
especially from the Northern section
and from Southwest Virginia, than
have ever attended the fair before.
-hey are here in larger numbers by ten
10 one than during any fair we have
had. I feel most gratifed at the nat
ural growth of the fair and at the in
creased general interest which is being
taken III it."
Fred a. Upton, official starter OF the
races. said that of the shows he has
visited from Hamblin, MINI 80 Syra-
cuse y. Y. the Virginia stat Fair,
outside OF tho buildings aid equip
ment. is the best and most complete he
has seen this season.
Great Day for Children.
With the exception of the harness
races, the entire program set for the
day went of without a hitch. and the
children for whom every effort 10
please had been made, enjoyed 1t ALL
The Midway was turned over to
them. and all the shows reduced their
admission charges, so that mothers
who had almost as many children as
nickles would not be forced 70 leave
..,, ttSf,f fa
father to bring the rest OF the pay
envelope. The orphans from the
Masonic Home We're present i'll full
force, under guidance and direction OF
their teachers, and they saw every
thing. from the prize bull pup in the
exhibition ring to the serpentine lady
who came up out of the sea like the
mermaids of the fairy tales. The whole
length and breadth OF the Midway was
like the happy fulfiment OF fairy
story TO them. and the color and life
of the people who live half their lives
beneath the open sky made a strong
appeal to their childish ina eination. E.
w. Spilman. director OF live stock, took
a number of children for a drive be-
hind the siX-stallion team of the Union
stock Yards of Chicago. and this the
children enjoyed more than the make
believe rides on thc'hobby horses. They
rode on the big elephant OF the animal
show and on the little burros that am
bled up and down the course with their
burdens with the consummate patience
OF a job
Hoy scouts In Their Glory.
sturdy Boy Scouts were in the hey
dey or their lives. for the children were
their especial wards. and the khaki
clad scouts watched over them with all &
the carefulncss and precision OF their
elders. They piloted them along Bally-
hoo Lane, held out a helping hand when
feet became tired and eyes weary
with much looking, and then took
them into the rest tents 10 restore their
wasting energies for another trip
through the nagician's row.
Greater wonders than ever they had
learned in text book. greater than the
pillards OF Karnak or the ruins of the n
Coliseum or Of the Leaning Tower of I
Pisa, we're in store for them during the
afternoon. and when o'clock came, r
and the free attractions began they
leaned over the fence around the race
course and witnessed thrills they had &
never thOuxht to see. nfi s.'gl