The Topeka state journal., 1919-09-08
IUUAI UPENN IHE
BIGGEST OUTDOOR
EXPOSITION HERE
Never Was There Such a Pro-
gram of Attractions.
From Morning Until Night
Events Are Crowded.
EXHIBITS ON The GROUNDS
Early Masses VIII Miss Moth
ing in Exhibition.
Morning Trains Crowded
Stores Close Half Day.
COLONEL ROOSEVELT is HERE
Noted Son in Address at z
O'clock This Evening.
Kansas Derby RaceS-St. Mihiel
Spectacle Tonight.
COLONEL ROOSEVELT is HERE
Noted Son in Address at z
O'clock This Evening.
Kansas Derby RaceS-St. Mihiel
Spectacle Tonight.

Clear skies smiled down on the
opening OF the 1919 Kansas Free Fair
this morning as thousands of visitors
poured into Topeka from every direc-
tion and the fair officials sat back
and watched the beginning of the
greatest outdoor exhibition ever at
tempted in Kansas.
With the big grounds packed with
exhibits. amusements, and attractions
OF all kinds 1t was an auspicious be-
ginning. Every detail had been ar
ranged by the time the first crowds
began to pour thru the gates and un-
like many fairs of the past there was
nothing to make the first fair visitors
wish they had waited until everything
was In readiness. There was nothing
TO suggest the rise of the curtain be-
fore all the scenery was placed. II
was more like the opening of a grand
opera with every actor in place and
every instrument attuned.
Fair officials, concession and carni-
val and exhibit men worked all day
Sunday-and many of them all Sun
day night--getting things in readi-
occasional driving of a nail or putting
up of a board. or stretching of a tent,
there was nothing being done in the
way of preparations today. few of
the exhibits were still coming in this
morning on account of late trains, but
absence was not noticed and when
they arrived they only served to add
20 the mammoth array of interesting
sights.
Never before has there been such a
display of livestock at n Kansas fair
Horses. cattle, sheep and swine actual
" fill every available stall. pen and
enclosure, and other live exhibits such
as chickens, ducks and fowls of all
kinds are to be seen wherever there
IS a place for them
The big Sunflower Trail carnival at
traction came in Sunday and was
ready for its grand opening this after
noon at 1 o'clock. The management
boasts that 1t is the most complete
and most high class carnival ever
fractions that are new, novel and of
such a character that every fair visitor
can enjoy them.
Probably the biggest drawing card
during the day was the Kansas Derby,
the feature race event of the day.
The derby always draws the lovers of
the fleety horseflesh and it was said
that the talent entered should furnish
an event that would pay those who
witnessed Il. A full race card was ar
ranged for this afternoon starting at 2
o'clock, and with running trotting and
pacing events billed. the first day Wis
itors had a chance to see the best ami
mails of the stables in action.
This evening the two great attrac-
tions will be the address of Lieut.. Col.
Theodore Roosevelt at the Peoples
Pavilion at 6;45 and the first presen-
tation of the great fireworks spectacle.
Victory at st. Mihiel." in front of the
grandstand at 8 o'clock.
Roosevelt Speaks at O'Clock.
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., will speak
at the Peoples pavilion at the Kan
sas Free fair at the meeting which
opens at GAS o'clock this evening in
stead OF at 1880 o'clock as has been
announced. Young Teddy will be-
gin to speak at 7 o'clock and will leave
Topeka for Denver, Colo, at 1880
o'clock.
This announcement was made today
by Phil Eastman of the Kansas Free
Fair association. who is solely respon-
sible for the presence in Topeka today
of the founder of the American Le-
gion. 1t had been planned that young
Roosevelt leave Topeka on a midnight
train this evening. but circumstances
make this impossible and the time of
the meeting at the fair grounds was
advanced to 6:45 o'clock.
Roosevelt was a lieutenant colonel
in the American eNpeditionary force.
being given his rank on the field of
battle. He is one of the youngest men
OF his rank in the army.
This noon Roosevelt will be the
guest Of the Rotary club of Topeka at
a special luncheon at the Chamber of
Commerce. All eX-service men are in
vited to this luncheon to help extend