Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-12

!
turn to the camp.
General Cronkhite and his stafr visit,
ed the fair because it had been deslg-
mated Camp Lee Day. and were not
connected with the composite battalion.
They remained at the grounds until
shortly before nightfaIl. and then were
driven downtown where they were
guests at the westmoreiand Club for
supper They motored back to Peters
burg last night.
SUNNY DAY BRINGS
/ OUT GREAT CROWD
I With ideal weather yesterday--thc
} first OF the week-the fair got under
way early and there was sizable
crowd by noon. The exhibition build
ings were filled with sightseers. and
there were many out-of-town people
in the throng. The general move to
the fair grounds. however, did not
begin until afternoon, and by o'clock
the grand stand was we'll filed a
short time later practically every
scat was taken. and the crowd was as
large as on Richmond Day. which has
never occurred before in the history
of the fair. There was approximately
400 people in the stand Mt O'Clock
me midway 0fd not get underway
until midafternoon, but by that time it
was comfortably filed AS the after
noon progressed the throng became
greater until Wahoo Lane and the
Ballyhoo were almost impossible at Is
o'clock. There was only short lull
for supper and the crowd again nockcd
into the amusement lane. where there
was multitude Of ways in which en-
10, inv, Il ha ohf
The racing program had been we'll
arranged, and proved unusually in
teresting. The several heats Of the
harness events were closely followed
but the greatest interest was appar-
entity displayed in the running and
steeplechase cards. The entire pro-
gram was worked off rapidly and with
out accident. There was slight ex-
element late in the afternoon. when
two Jockeys mike blows in front Of
the stand. They were separated be-
fore either was injured, and were
placed under arrest
The comedy mule race between we'll
known RichInonders was also staged
while the annual parade OF stock was
held late in the afternoon. All vaudc-
Vile acts were warmly applauded by
tho audience. but the features were
tho high diving OF Mae Eccleston. the
bicycle riding of Oscar Babcocke and
:he singing of nriacol. Davies and
Wood.
riNiGEE SAUNDERS
Isl HIGHLY PLEASED
Tho second bis day was highly salts
factor;' To the management OF the fair
w Conws? Saunders. the general man
aser. declared las. night that the at
,.l "a
ing that Of last year 1T is up to the
peonie," he said. We have the great
est Show here to-day over staged in
Virginia. There is every kind of at
traction Imaginable. and If tho people
don't come. it is not our fault"
Another feature OF the day-and the
week, for that matter-is the absence
or disorder and accidents. The police
nave had little to do, other than handle
frame and few arrests have been made
IN the grounds. There has been only a
! very Few robberies. and they have been
| Tor small amounts in every instance.
lickpockets have been conspicuou. by
ihcif absence, but the police detail is
unusually heavy, and a number of
headquarters detectives are working
in the grounds.
indications point TO an attendance
to-day greater than on the Same day
OF last year. Several special automo-
| oile races have been arranged, starting
shortly after noon, and well-known
drivers Will participate. General Man
aver saunders said last night that auto
mooiie racing was popular in Rich
| mond laat year. when several races
were staged the last day Of the fair,
ana that in other sections of the coun-
n
PATRIOTIC NOTE IN
EVENING FIREWORKS
! when darkness fell over the grounds
al the Virginia State Fair last night
the crowd moved once again to tho
Miaway for several hours of revelrv
ana then back to the stand shortly he
1ore o'clock for the night perform-
ahce on the two huge stages. The
night air became slightly cold, but
this only served 10 give life to the
gay throng OF pleasure seekers.
F! Under the direction OF Samuel Ser
pico' the fireworks display was excel
lent a number Of special patriotic
! pieces had been set during tho after
noon because yesterday had been desig-
mated Soldiers and Camp Lee Day, and
'hese were loudly applauded, The
crowd last night was marked by tho
many khaki uniforms in the stand and
along Wahoo Lane Every feature,
even to the most minor card. was car.
ried through without hitch.
AS was true during other days and
nights at the fair. there was no dis
order The records Of the police last
night showed only half q dozen ar
rests. all for minor offeuses, and the
emergency hospital. in charge Of phy-
sicians and nurses from the Virginia