Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-20
CARNIVAL week
A HUGE SUCCESS

A deary. dismal rain narred the last
day of Watervilles great Christmas. but
il spite Of that fact the people came
from far and near, and all through the
afternoon and evening there was a large
crowd on the streets ana the stores all
reported fine business. The morning
trains from the east brought in a lsrge
number OF shoppers and the noon trains
from both east and west increased their
numbers. The most of those who came
visited City hall and Mr.. Jepson and Mrs.
Smith found that the rain had made
work for them, as almost everyone had
heavy wraps or bundles which they
wanted checked. All through the fore
noon there was a steady stream OF peo-
pie coming and going from the hall. and
the noon trains brought the number up
TO the equal of any day Of the week.
There were also more people in for
time, as the rain made 1t uncomfortable
to walk the streets and when the people
got tired of shopping it made pleas
ant place to rest.
The Victrola machine from the Went
worth store was going practically all
day and many people expressed their ap-
probation of the good music and the
generosity of Mr.. Wentworth in provid-
ing the machine and the records for their
entertainment. During the day Mr.. Jep-
son was thanked many times by the peo-
pie who had been there during the week
and many expressions OF appreciation
for the fine time the merchants had given
them and the thoroughly up-to-date way
in which the city's visitors were treated
were heard.
The fact that the streets Of the city
were kept clear Of panhandlers during
the week was also appreciated by the
visitors 1t is very rarely that an event
of this kind is run of without large
number of these gentry in attendance,
but Waterville decided that its visitors
should not be imposed upon and they
were not.
The bad weather decided Santa Claus
to cancel the last day of his engagement
here and he did not appear on the streets
during the day, TO the disappointment OF
some of the youngsters, who were, how
ever, undoubtedly much better off than
they would have been trying to chase
him about in the rain.
A general review of the week shows II
70 have been q success in every particu-
lar One or two OF the merchants seem
to think that they would have got as
much trade if they had not tried to have
special attractions. but the majority feel
that il increased their trade consider
ably A number of people from out the
city who came here were seen at differ
ent times during the week and they all
expressed themselves as being delighted
with the entertainment furnished and the
offerings of the stores. Many who have
never done any trading in the city before
going to some other place expressed
themselves as being much surprised that
there were such fine stores in Waterville
and have said that they will come here
in future for their trading. The major
ity Of the merchants feel that II has been
worth while for the results Of the week
and that in the broader results of bring
ing the Watervlle merchants and the
people in this vicinity together it has
been Of great value Already on every
side il is said that next year will see A
bigger and better carnival with the faults
of this one eliminated and a number of
new features which there was not time
this year to properly work out.