The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-09
KANSAS VISITORS
FLOCKING TO The
GROUNDS TODAY
Roads to Topeka Are One Pa
rade of Motor Cars.
Out of Town Crowds Now Are
Swnrming to the City.
IT ALL DEPENDS ON WEATHER
Nothing Else Can Prevent Rec
ord Breaking Attendance.
Monday Indicated TOpeka's
Confidence in Show.
THREE BIG DAYS ALL IN ONE
Farmers, StOckmen, Soldiers
and Children on Today.
Night Show Is Best Ever Exhib-
tied in This State.
THREE BIG DAYS ALL IN ONE
Farmers, StOckmen, Soldiers
and Children on Today.
Night Show Is Best Ever EXhib-
tied in This State.

Today the mammouth Kansas Free
Fair became the Mardi gras of Kansas
the fat Tuesday of the great an
nual outdoor exposition of the Sum
flower state. From the earliest morn
ing hours crowds have been pouring
int the grounds and there seems no
doubt that another attendance record
will be broken when the figures are
tabulated tonight as it was Monday
night when Secretary Phil Eastman
announced that the largest opening
day crowd in the history Of Topeka
fairs had been surpassed.
The grounds were we'll filled by
noon with a steady stream pouring in
thru the gates In automobiles and from
the street cars. The crowds became
so large on the east part OF the
grounds that automobile traffic had to
be temporarily stopped. Large crowds
gathered at the horse and cattle shows
on these parts of the grounds.
The picnickers also were in evidence
all over the grounds at noon. Near
every water fountain, every tree and
on every bench fair visitors who had
brought their basket lunches were en-
JoyinE their noon meals while they
''swapped" experiences and told OF the
sights they had seen.
:
Of the week and made an especial
appeal to many classes Of visitors. 1t
was the day of days for the youngsters
Officially designated as "Children's
Day" and boys and girls OF all ages
. began to gather under the direction of
Supt. J. +. Wilson as soon as the gates
were opened. There we're parades for
them, sight seeing tours. contests, prize
awards and all kinds of entertainment
and amusement. Not only were they
- -,
out the morning, but the afternoon
was full Of entertainment and a large
number planned and expected to re-
main on the grounds until after the
big fireworks spectacle at night.
AlrThanc Exhibits
The large number of airplane ex-
hibits and the remarkable skill shown
in their construction indicate that
Kansas is going to turn out many fly
ers in the near future. Some OF the
planes were several feet long and
many Of them were complete in every
detail--down to rudder controls that
actually worked. The smallest air
plane brought for the exhibit was
made from two pins and a single
toothpick. 1t was made by John New
ell and was tiny that a special box
had to be provided for it.
Cattle Judging On.
Also. this was a big day for the
Judging that started Monday afternoon
was in full swing this morning shortly
after o'clock and those interested in
cattle we're given an opportunity to see
some of the finest animals Of the west
compete for honors in the prize rings.
Then. too, the farmers had a special
program at the Peoples Pavilion with
F. D. Blecha presiding. This program
began at 1890 and the principal ad-
dress was made by Alfred Docking, OF
Manhattan. He spoke on THE Amer
ican Farmer as a Nation Builder and
Rebuiider"
Hundreds of the 35th Division boys
were on the grounds and fittingly
celebrated their special day and their
festive anniversary of this date year
ago by recalling their experiences ir
France and making the most OF the
great opportunity offered to enjoy
such a fair as would never have beer
possible had they not faced death tc
give victory to the allies and save the
world from slavery under the Hun.
The racing program for this after
noon consisted of two harness events
and two running features. The frs
on the programs was the 2:25 trot
Then came the 2:17 pace and then the
two running races-the first five
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