The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-11

Richmond day went into history
last night like bunch of allies going
into the German trenches-with a
whoop and with dash that reminded
the consistent patron OF the fair OF
the opening day twelve years ago.
| Fifty thousand people. 1t was rough
I ly estimated by Manager Saunders,
entered the turnstiles. This would
place the attendance at about fifteen
thousand short OF Richmond day last
year, when the weather was made
TO order. and when two thousand
young Rtchmonders. now In various
concentration camps, were here to
| add to them
And with continued good weather
the management tiexures that the at
tendance today, military day. will be
almost. If not as large.
When Richmond poked its nose out
the window early yesterday morning
It felt a tinge of frost and some
moisture. The stars that had ap-
peared in the heavens the night be-
fore had given away to a dull cloudy
dawn. and hopes for pleasant wealth
err faded. A little later, however al
| Richmond sat down to breakfast, Old
Sol took a. little peek through the
clouds in the eastern horizon. saw
ed to he glad. and poked his nose
still further through the misty cur
tain. Then there was Joy. and early
enough the street cars began to take
on their loads. and happiness reigned.
Governor Is Guest
BY noon the grounds had assumed
a busy appearance. Governor Stuart
and a party OF trends reached the
grsndStand shortly after noon. At
that hour there were probably ten
thousand seekers for recreation on
the scene. They had heard Kessnich's
hand toot out a few tunes and tha
sun had begun to warm up things.
while Director Spilnan took a loo1s
over the Boulevard and HERMITAGE
roads to see II the sorinkling carts
would be necessary. Street car cor-
tinued to pour their human freight
into the grounds. and about o'clock
every seat In the grandstand had been
Nlken. and thousands were hanging
over the fence around the track. and
other thousands were scramhlirg to
get good seats in the many side shows
along the midway. while the real res
velers, the youngsters were out for
the fun Of mixing with the crowd and
casting confetti broadcast
Manager Saunders had wiped the
perspiration of intense emotion from
his brow many times. and had settled
down with a fixed smile of conviction.
for he had actually grown tired count
ing the people coming in. and felt sat
isfled that the crowd of last year
would almost be equaIled by the crowd
OF the day regardless of the discourage
ing conditions of the previous day ana
night and the early morning of yes-
terdav So, all was bright and happy,
and the wheels of the fair revolved as
though there had been no anxious mo-
ments.
Big Hall Packed.
Industrial hall was crowded early.
News of free souvenirs had gone forth
like bad news in a little town. and all
frugal housewives and other collec-
tors of good things hurried from tbs
main entrance to the building to be
in while the inning was good. There
was some chance to wade through the
building early in the afternoon but a9
the day waxed and waned. many dff-
fculties presented themselves tn the
shape of crowds upon crowds Leaders
of gangs and ''hxers" could do noths
ing The leaders were immediately
dethroned by other leaders. and nx@ra
were forced TO throw up their tOha
before they had fixed anything Tor
those they had in tow. Well known
citizens. with kindly feeling to-
ward mankind and malice toward
none, were crowded. up in beviex az
pretty young girls. while peain pf
laughter warned him that no harm
WIS being done, and that innoCent
Ircrriment must reign. With nj ~
hustling and busting there VERY 4so
disagreeaHle Incidents. everything Nmn
taken good nnuredly. and ~ the NH
go 10y
tcontinusj on Firth FHUA1 -
-s~-s. $1,000. %S