Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-15
FAIR week on;
ALEDO BUzzES
WITH BUSINESS
Crowds Gather for Opening of 66uh
Annual Exhibition Which
Opens Tomorrow.

By tonight Aledo will have dou-
bled and perhaps tripled its popu-
lation. This is the week of the
county fair.
The city is Transformed. From
the quiet but progressive capital Of
an agricultural county it has
changed to a miniature beehive o.
industry.
Streets are thronged with trucks,
pleasure cars and vehicles of eV-
cry description. Strange faces arc
everywhere. Hotels, rooming
houses and private homes opened
to roomers are filled to overflow
ing. Living accommodations sold
at a premium last week and now
cannot be had at any price. The
influx of new arrivals continues
steadily. Restaurants are doing
landoffice business, at meal time
being forced to turn away the hun
CRY.
An undercurrent OF subdued ex-
element prevails. Beautiful wealth
er. ideal for fair purposes, lends 70
the anticipation. Arrival of ex-
'hibits continued throughout today.
The fair grounds over night has
assumed the appearance Of thriv-
ing, bustling city. Tents, stands
and booths have sprung up on ev-
cry hand. Fair officials have not
an idle minute.
Grounds Well POliced.
Arrangements TO handle record
crowds expected throughout the
week have been completed. The
grounds and city will be effectively
policed under direction of c. c.
Lutrell, ex-sherifT, and Sheriff John
p. Fleming. Detectives, plain
clothes men and deputies will pa
troll the city and grounds. Scores
will be on duty to guard against
tendencies of the lawless. Officers
from Rock Island and Davenport
will be here-men familiar with
the dips and crooks of the under
world. some of whom are sure 10
be attracted By Mercer county's
annual festival.
Tomorrow afternoon the AlelO
schools will close. Studies will be
until reXt Monday.
The event for WHICH Mercer |
county has awaited since Septem- |
Der last is at hand. Tomorrow |
morning Mercer County's 66th an
nual fair, predicted the biggest and /
best since the organization of the |
fair association, opens.
Children Free Wednesday.
Entry day is tomorrow. Wednes- /
day is children's day. There will |
be no admission charged tomor- !
- ~ ~ "Wednesday oil IF tho
little folks will enjoy the ENTER
'ree" privilege. Special programs
Tor the youngsters have been ar
ranged by the Home Improvement
association under the direction OF
Miss Elsie Cildersleeve. advisor
Comfort stations for the little tots
will also be ready, in charge of
ralne1 nurse.
Thursday Big Day.
Thursday, as in former years,
promises to be the big day of the
week Horse racing will begin
and continue through
friday. The largest entry list of
high class mounts in the history
# the association has been receiv-
d and record track performances
re expected. I;
Wednesday will be the day of
Judging and the awards will be
.iven beginning Wednesday night. [
saturday is sports day. A large ]
lst of auto and motorcycle drivers
will compte for the purses offered.
here will be on that day baseball,
ootbaIl and free attractions. The
rounds will not be open even
ngs. In town, however, an open /
ir dance will be field daily on a
avilion erected on the site former 7
Y occupied by the old Transit :
ouse, East Sixth and South Col
ege.