The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-13

After the showers Sunday night the
sun dawned bright and clear upon the
opening day of the Kansas Free Fair
this morning.
Workmen early today were toiling
frantically to put the finishing touch
es to exhibits and concessions The
big Wortham shows were wheeling
into position for the grand opening of
the Sunflower Trail at 1 o'clock this
afternoon. Thousands of visitors were
pouring into the city from all parts
of Kansas and many surrounding
states. Incoming trains were packed
and in spite of slippery roads many
families were driving into Topeka in
their motor cars.
The total attendance on Monday last
year was $4,000. and it is estimated
that the visitors TO the Free Fair today
will exceed that number.
Rain Confined to East Kansas.
The rain Sunday night, according to
S. D. Flora. state meteorologist, was
confined to the eastern section of the
state. over the western part the skies
this morning were clear and smiling.
Prior to Sunday night the roads lead
ing to Topeka were in excellent con-
ditiOn and it is not believed the pre-
cipitatiOn was sufficient to put them
in bad shape. Especially with little
sunshine and wind such as was blow
ing this morning, it was evident they
soon would dry.
Only a visit to the Free Fair
grounds can bring a realization of the
magnitude Of the Free Fair this year.
Every building is crowded to the limit
and scores of tents have sprung up
to house other exhibits. It was nee
essary to bring part of the cattle ex-
hibits to the horse pavilion, while
many OF the hogs had to be put under
canvas. in spite of the two new swine
barns built this spring.
Agricultural Hall Full.
An idea of Kansas humber crops
can be cleaned from a visit to the as-
ricultural building, where it seems
there could not be found room even
for another bushel Of potatoes. Stroll
ing thru the horticultural department.
one thinks of the predictions made at
the time of the big Easter snow and
smiles. Peaches, apples, plums, pears
they are all there and Of such guam
tity and quality as viii satisfy the
most exacting-
Poultry hall is filled. but with the
system of uniform wire coopage,
strictly enforced this year. the man
agement has also found room in the
building for the pet stock, of which
there is a large amount. The boys
and girls pig, poultry and corn clubs
d e apparently trying 10 OulQO lilSIAi-
selves this year in the number of ex-
hibits and the quality of the exhibits
bears testimony to the value of agri
cultural training.
There was not enough canvas to
house all the machinery exhibits.
Extra lots have been plated wherever
available to take care of the scores of
entries.
Wortham Shows Are New.
The Workman shows were to open
at | o'clock this afternoon. They are
entirely new, except in name. Ten new
carloads OF interesting attractions were
added before the shows left FL Paso
on their westward trip and they have
rest of the equipment "Over the
Falls" the Barrel of Fun" and the
Hawaiian show are among the new
ones. The circus has been entirely
rebuilt and revised and the animal
acts are among the finest to be seen
under canvas. Wortham's have the
reputation Of being the biggest tray
cling Conev Island in America and
the attractions are such as can be en-
toyed by old and young alike
Big Fireworks SpectacIes.
The big feature this evening will be
the vaudeville and the J. Saunders
Gordon fireworks spectacles in front
OF the grandstand at s o'clock The
brought to Topeka and the pyro-
technic scene far outclasses those seen
here in former years. Gordon has
more than $4,000 invested in scenery
alone.
The play is set around the romance
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