The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-09-08
Big STATE FAIR Is NOW
WITH US, Big FIRST DAY
EXHIBITS ARE BETTER AMI
MORE NUMEROUS
THAN EVER.
Excellent Racing Card 10 On Program
For Today-Judoes Have
Begun Their Work.

Under the most favorable conditions
the thirty fourth annual West vir-
gtnia State Fair and Exposition
opened yesterday morning for a five
days session on the Island grounds.
Visitors TO the big event yesterday de.
clared that the aim of the Fair asso-
citation to produce a bigger and bet
ter fair" has been realized
With the weather all that could be
desired. the attendance on the initial
day was encouraging. II was better
than for the past few years, especial
ly last season when rain marred the
first two days OF the fair.
Last night, Secretary George Hook
was well pleased with the indications
i believe We will have the most sue
cessful fair In the history of the as
ISOLATION" he said. The exhibits are
the best ever and are more numerous
and diversified than before. Our rae
Ing card speaks for itself The fair
Is the best we have ever offered.
hope our friends will appreciate our
efforts and believe thay will"
Begins In Eearnest.
The big show" will really begin in
earnest today. Yesterday was deyot-
ed to putting the finishing touches TO
the various exhibits and displays, and
completing final details. Additional
live stock arrived yesterday, and all
poultry is now placed. Every depart.
ment is in order.
The rain OF Sunday night placed the
grounds in excellent conditions. Il
had the effect Of laying the dust. and
at the same time. was not hard enough
TO create mud. The grounds are
cleaner than usual. and are PRETTY
decorated.
Racing Begins Today.
The racing program opens this
afternoon. Four classy events are
scheduled for today, and the 2: IL pace,
the first class, promises TO be the
feature of the meet. The running race
win be fast one. Judging from the
field of entries.
The rain also improved the condi-
ton of the track. A force of men
spent yesterday in rolling the oval, so
that now IL is In the best possible con-
dition. Horsemen are expecting some
exceedingly fast stepping this week,
and local track history may be written
before the program closes.
Pools were sold last night under the
grandstand for today's races. The
settings were good, considering the M
tendance and the fact that yesterday
was the first day of the Fair.
Judges Begin Work.
The judges began their work OF
nominating the winners yesterday.
Early yesterday morning a start was
made in the textiles and fine arts de
partments. These were compIetei
during the day. the awards being an.
nounced last night
The Judging of live stock will begin
this morning. The class horses. how
ever. will not be judged until tomor-
row morning. The exhibits in the
horticultural hall will also be classi-
fed today.
The competition in several depart
ments. particularly in the cattle and
swine divisions. is so keen that IL will
take considerable time for the judges
TO complete their work.
In the departments completed yes
terday. local exhibitors Jared very
well
Large Crowds Arriving.
That the Fair will be largely attend
ed is indicated by the influx of visitors
which started late yesterday. Every
u'lu Ttdtulnb luAn City NdAAAtA HNoAto
of passengers who expect to visit the
Fair. Some OF the roads are running
special excursions. several being
booked for the latter part OF the week.
The fair Is drawing largely from the
TriState district. and especially with,
In a radius OF 50 miles. Trolley lines
are operating to their capacity. and
boats running in the local trade are
also enjoying a good passenger busi-
ness as a result of the exposition.
The hotels have made extensive
preparations for entertaining the
crowds Every available room has
been fitted up and beds have been
placed in parlors and halls for the
OF the overflow. Restau-
rants are doing a thriving business
With the hundreds OF visitors in town.
Tuesday a Big Day.
Directors Of the fair association are
expecting to-day TO be the
biggest Tuesday on record. The first
balloon ascension will be made this
afternoon. The opening OF the racing
meet will also attract many. Besides.
many persons win attend to-day rath-
or than later IN the week. in order 10
avoid the big weekend crowds.
While there Is no way by which 70
the total attendance. 10 was
said last night that the receipts ~
the main gate yesterday were equal
10 the receipts a. both the gate and
the bar on the opening day Of last
years fair.
This is particularly gratifying 20
the association. Since this 81 the first