The billboard (July-Dec 1899)

A Word to Fair Managers. 1 -—■ « iOf all the lessons which are to be learned ™om the comparing of the successes and tail* res among the fair associations during the ast season, the one that stands out pre- :inent and one that must be seen and ad- mitted by all is, attractions are a necessity r financial success; the day of the purely 'cultural fair is past; the city people who used to shows, fakirs, etc., are, of course, satisfied with seeing Farmer Jenks' prize itoes or Cy. Smith's blue ribbon cows, ley must have something more exciting and Entertaining. Neither is the farmer satisfied i 1th seeing exhibits of farm products. These lings are nothing out of the common to him. '.e also must have excitement, not because it as become a habit, aB with the city man, it because he expects it. The fair day to im is a time set aside for the spending of Is pin money, an opportunity to see things hich it is not his privilege to see at any fter time. During the season just closed the managers id the entertainments, which we will call ctions. have been thrown into closer re- .tion, and have come to a more pleasant and tutually profitable understanding than ever fore, for which we think "The Billboard" sserves some credit. However, there were mie cases where attractions were engaged, nd either proved entirely unsatisfactory or id not show up at all. The managers can . at be too particular about engaging good. Pliable features. It is very often the case rat the engaging of attractions is left until as last moment, and this plan almost in- ariably results in the securing of only see- nd or third-class people.. It may seem a ittle previous to advise that managers be a the lookout for attractions that they in- fite correspondence from amusement compa- ies; but, nevertheless, it is obvious that the est will be picked out first, much the same at a bargain sale; therefore, the sooner the tes are set and options are obtained upon most desirable attractions, the more ad- tageous will be the result. Fair Notes. An effort is now being made to have a Pa- stinian exhibition in one of America's large stern cities. Cincinnati is to have a dog show some time i February, 1900. . It win be held under tne " spices of the Dog Owners' Protective Asso- tation, and will be on the circuit list. All of the buildings of the exposition at omo. Italy, were recently destroyed by fire, emarkable energy was exhibited in the re- building of the burned structure and the ithering of new exhibits, and the exposition bntinued. This year the street fair without automa- tes as an attraction was an exception. Under the patronage of the committee of le Berlin Exhibition an automobile race was in from Berlin to Lefpsic, a distance of 113 ■lies. The average speed of the winning car- nage was about 22 miles an hour. A new kink In an old Idea for advertising mrch fairs, etc., is this: Instead of using e ordinary hand bill for distribution, buy ipanese paper napkins, with plain white cen- rs and brightly colored borders. Solicit ad- vertisements from local firms, and have their totlces, together with the announcement of ie fair, printed in the blank centers. At a pcent fair 22 firms paid a dollar each, to ave their names appear. The cost of the fisting did not amount to much, and the kins at the dealers cost less than $2. The Secretary of the Indiana State Fair ounced that the receipts from the fair is year exceeded those of last year by about 000. The aggregate receipts, not counting money which the board receives from the .te, was about $8,000. The fifth annual Kansas City Horse Show is the most elaborate ever given. The great invention Hall was crowded every night th Kansas City representatives of fashion d beauty. On the opening night the first Vent was a grand parade of all the entries, jnd every animal that was entered in the bow was led around the arena. There were irer M0 entries, and the parade was a most lUtifuI sight. The annual shows at Fresno. Cal., have ■eatiy uplifted the poultry business. For e past two seasons the shows have been re- markably successful, and this year's was even setter than the other two. A special prize Jas offered by the four national banks of ! J resno for the ten highest scoring birds in e show. The regular prize list consisted 116 cash prizes, besides numerous special zes. [The next great celebration in New York is Hkely to be held in September, 1909, and it will beothe three hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the island of Manhattan by Henry Hudson. The two hundredth anni- versary, in September, 1809, was modestly celebrated by a dinner, held under the aus- pices of the New- York Historical Society. There is already talk that the anniversary may be celebrated by a World's Fair. The St. Louis Horse Show was a brilliant one. It was especially well patronized by the ladies of fashion. Few people would think that the poultry was anything like as great as the wheat out- put. Tet statistics are given which prove that the output of poultry in 1897 was $290.- 000,000. while the total value of the wheat crop was $239,000,000, a difference of $31,000,- 000 in favor of poultry. The Missouri State Board of Agriculture at a recent meeting in Jefferson City again de- has been the national flower for centuries, and is raised in every nook and corner of the land, they have chrysanthemum carnivals, which the Emperor and all the nobility honor with their presence. The ROrcalled sport, rabbit baiting, was one of the popular pastimes at the Dallas (Tex.j Fair. This very poor excuse for a gambling game is played thus: A rabbit is turned loose in an enclosure, and at a given signal a number of hounds are sent after It; bets are placed upon the dogs, and the one managing to kill the rabbit wins. Wherein this is less cruel or barbarous than bear baiting or bull fighting, both of which are prohibited by law, we can not see. Houston, the metropolis of South Texas, expects to hold a fair, but as yet nothing definite has been decided. Dollars rained for three minutes in the sale ring at the Hereford show at Kansas City. The money was for Mrs. Kate Wilder Cross, widow of the late Charles S. Cross, founder ot the Sunny Slope (Kansas) stock farm, who had turned over to her husband's creditors- all that she possessed. When Colonel Slaugh- ter, of Fort Worth, Texas, stepped into the ring be threw a silver dollar in the sawdust and called on those present to throw In a dollar as a little present for the brave little woman. Money fairly rained, and when ll was gathered up filled a peck measure. The Board of Directors of the Merchants' and Manufacturers* Association of Los An- geles, Cal., has decided to hold an industrial and mineral exhibition and a citrus fair in the latter part of next February. As soon as the details of the exhibition and the date shall have been decided an elaborate pros- pectus will be issued by the association, con- taining the programme of entertainment, a descriDtion of the points of interest and a classified list ot members. These folders will be distributed among the local merchants to be sent in every letter leaving the offices. By this means the excursion and exhibition will be well advertised several montbs in advance. GEO. K. BIRGE. Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo. cided to locate the State Fair at Sedalia, and the first exhibition will be held next fall. Missouri is nearly eighty years old, and next year will be her first attempt to have a State Fair. Manchester, X. H., is to have a mammoth, fair next year. A complete set of fair build- ings will be erected and a new track built. At present a mile track is being talked of, but the particulars will be decided later. Mayor W. C. Clarke is one of the men in- terested. The San Diego County Poultry and Pet Stock Association is making great prepara- tions for the big show which is to be held in San Diego, December 19, 20 and 2L The in- terest in Belgian hares seems to be on the boom. Recently a pair of thoroughbreds brought the exceedingly high price of $50. A "Curio Booth" which contained Indian relics and other articles that ranged from one to over two hundred years, was a feature ot the Long Beach chrysanthemum fair. A- Dallas paper, and one that ought to know whereof it speaks, says: "The city of Dallas, during the fair, participates in the profit of selling liquor to visitors, because, as an Alderman tersely stated it, 'Dallas wants the money.' Then the whisky drinker is ar- rested and fined, because Dallas wants the rest of his money. This is a sort of double- header." An exchange. In speaking of the Philadel- phia Baby Show, says it was a howling suc- cess. Among the most popular of the autumn fetes is the chrysanthemum show. Almost every city in the United States holds an an- nual chrysanthemum fete, where samples of the thousands of varieties are entered and prizes are given for the largest and most pei- fect in form and color. In Japan, where this The year 1907 will undoubtedly be claimed by some city in the United States as the date of an important exposition. Already the ques- tion is being agitated in Richmond, Va., by an especially zealous paper with a view to se- curing the prize. Other cities will be sure to put in their bids, and if Greater New York does not hold a show before that time it will certainly prove a big factor in the race. The State fairs of 1899 were highly success- ful. The Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minne- sota, Ohio,- Indiana and Illinois fairs were probably never more successful. "We read much in the agricultural papers concerning the fairness of fair judges, but since we are not interested in either the judges or the beaten exhibitors, who can only see the good points in their own displays, we will leave the. Question strictly alone and keep discreetly out of the fight The exhibition of advertising postal •cards, held at Venice, Italy, was a very novel and interesting one, many of the postals being charming works of art. A baby show is to be a feature of the Trl- Clty Midwinter Fair. Great Interest has been, shown in this feature, and the exhibits In this department bid fair to outnumber those in any other class. The Director of the Department of Liberal Arts and Chemical Industries of the Paris Exposition is considering the advisability of giving a post-exhibition In the summer of 1901 in one of the large Russian centers- Moscow or St. Petersburg. Ninety per cent of the American manufacturers who have been approached have consented to make the display. Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock - is fathering the movement. It is possible, also, that a movable exhibition will be given in the cities of Vienna, Berlin and other large European centers. Phoenix Indian and Cowboy Carnival. The Los Angeles, Cal., spring festivals, which have a national reputation, will now have to look to their laurels, for Phoenix, Ariz., Intends to give each year a festival that will rival all other events held in the West. A permanent organization has been formed, and S. M. McCowan, Superintendent of the Indian School, has been chosen as Its head. The dates set for this year's show are De- cember 4-8, and, as the citizens' commtttee has already secured over $6,000, the financial features seem to have plain sailing. The railroads have been very kind and have maue special rates, a round trip from any point In Arizona and New Mexico, as well as Den- ver, costing but the single fare. Indians will be given free transportation, a feature that will bring many different tribesmen together. Exhibits brought tor the carnival will be given halt rates, and the passenger tickets are to be good for thirty dayB, with privilege of extension to six months at small additional cost. The festival has been well advertised by posters, dodgers, etc., besides about every envelope that has left Phoenix tor the last three weeks contained an advertisement tor the show. This publicity, with the special at- tractions which have been devised, to appeal to the different classes, and the liberality of the railroads should combine to fill Phoenix, as it has never been filled before. Rose Tournament. On New Year's Day, when most of the cities in the East are snowbound, the city of Pasadena,' Cal., holds a jubilee and parade, in which flower-bedecked vehicles, floats, etc., play a great part. The whole parade appears as one mass of beautiful roses and other love- ly flowers, the-idea, of course, being the aa- vertisement the cKy secures in being able to hold such a parade at such a seemingly unsea- sonable time. The festival each year Is held under the auspices of the Pasadena Tourna- ment of Roses Association, which boasts of a membership of 257, and a good surplus in bank. At a recent meeting the following om- cers were elected: President, H. R. Hertel; Vice Presidents, C. W. Smith and James H. Campbell; Treasurer, P. M. Green. The an- nual tournament on New Year's Day will be carried out with great vigor and enthusiasm and many new ideas will be introduced. This festival has come to be a feature with tourists, who make it a point to engage rooms at the prominent hotels in time to witness the parade. It is probable that this year races and sports will be arranged to take place after the parade, and thus the afternoon will be made joyous as the morning. An effort will also be made to interest the tourists in the sporting events. Columbia Street Fair. The billboard The State Mechanical and Agricultural So- ciety held its annual fair in this city, open- ing on the 6th of November and closing on the 10th. It was one of the most successful fairs in point of attendance that the society has held. Nearly 20.000 people visited the fair. The city of Columbia selected this time for her carnival week, and the day and night at- tractions given by the Columbia Fair Asso- ciation were a source of pleasure to the throngs of people who saw them. The crowd gathered at the corners of the streets, where the performances were given, and followed the performers from block to block to see a different performance at each end of the seven blocks. The Banner Amusement Company fur- nished the principal amusements and gave great satisfaction to the public and to the City Fair Committee. The First United States Artillery Band gave afternoon and evening concerts on Main street and In the State House Park to the great delight of lovers ot fine music. There were a number of social events, which were enjoyed by society people. The State ball, which is given during the week of the fair, is a stately affair, opened by the Governor of the State. Many young debu- tantes enter society upon this occasion, and the best people of South Carolina grace the hall of the House of Representatives, where the ball is always held. Our State Fair promotes sociability among the people, brings together friends who only meet at this time, and is In many wayB pro- motive ot good to the State and Its people. S. A. PBARCE. Secretary. Leon County Fair. The Seventh' Annual Leon County Fair was ,, not a success. The stockholders having to meet a deficit of over one hundred dollars,, but paid off premiums and race purses in full, and is free from debt. The threatening cold weather prevented the attendance that was expected and would otherwise have been pres- ent. One of the privilege men. W. M. Rob- erts, of Indianapolis, Ind., absconded the third' day and' defrauded the association of $50 due on bis privilege. Ex-Governor J. S. Hogg was present, greet- ing his many friends. Harry Savage, of Bel- ton, judged the poultry. Geo. K. Birge. Although a director and a member of the Executive Committee of the Pan-American Exposition, which will be at Buffalo In 1901. George K. Blnre will be chiefly known In connection with the exposition as Chairman of the sub-committee on Buildings and Ground. The Directors of Works, who will have complete supervision of the construction of the buildings and the laying out of the grounds, will have to report to Mr. Birge as Chairman of that committee, so a great responsibility rests upon bis shoulders. The Horse Show. HE annual Horse Show in New York is an event that continues after fifteen years to be as select and as popular as it was in the begin- ning. It is not often that the standard Is kept up, as of National interest, and it has been in this event in the metropolis it her- alds tbe opening of the social season. The most exclusive of society people mingle with the throng, and this year titled foreign- ers were entertained at Madison Square Gar- den. Such a display of wealth, beauty and fash- ion, to say nothing of the horses themselves, makes the affair one ot unusual interest. The show was opened by a single bugler, and with a variety of notes he ushered each new feature into the ring. Hays, who for fifteen years held this posi- tion, has retired on a fortune, and now the man who fills the air with sporting sounds is H. Wilcox. The borses that enter the ring are as sleek as Panne velvet and as glossy. They are all blooded animals, and the audience express their approval in cheers that make the air ring. The lights, the yellow and black bunting adorning the boxes, and the spectators make the scene one of peculiar individuality and charm. The sporting element that congregate at the doors and at one end of the hall, the lov- ers of the horse who lean over the rail over- loching the ring, the surging crowd ever moving along the promenade, and the boxes filled with women that create as much ad- miration as the entertainment to which they come, only gather together once a year In New York. The afternoon audience differs somewhat from that of the evening, but they both have their own charm. The program Is much the same, the variety lending the most intense Interest to every number. * The boxes in the afternoons are not so well filled, and more promenading of the ladles is indulged in. ' In this way the fashionable gownB are more conspicuous, and what wonderful creations there are. gowns only to be seen In New York, and seldom anywhere but at the horse show. The New York women are as well groomed as the horses. They exhibit exquisite and appropriate gowns for the occasion as a whole, and it is the exception to see a badly dressed woman at this event. True, it is said that the mo- diste and the milliner have been preparing for this season for months, and that the cos- tumes are skilled works of art. Pale shades seem to predominate, or black. There are no flashy shades to be seen, taste In dress having become a science this year. Tall, willowy figures are preferred, and the serpentine gowns are well suited to the slen- der woman. Shapeless coats are worn in the afternoon, and women resemble the blanketed mare as she glides along the promenade. In the evening the sparkle of nets and spangles lend beauty to the gathering of femininty. Women fairly scintillate in their evening gowns, and as they promenade they are wrapped in flowing capes composed of cloth velvet or pale silk, replete with lace ribbon, fur and feathers. boy hustles about, and the grooms wear } ? ), ' expression of pride and importance. ''!?f^ Here can be found the extreme enthusiastj'l)' young women who have entered their favoj ft'.- He, and young men who are to ride their o^ffufr horses in the ring. - r >-f|' The sightseer can be detected from the fea'^'fj' less one, who is accustomed to horses, by tftt !f distance they allow between themselves ar'j* : £ the stalls. \"' k' The clanging of the trappings and ti}t |, stamping of the horses is life to the lover ui |' sport . £<! E: Amateurs have this year been more su<h % cessful than the dealers in securing prizeffc <i and the individual who exhibited a favornjl;. .'?' animal and smart equipages will feel encoui't*"' agd to enter thorn again next season. *n.. The Horse Show has marked another suc^ l' cess, financially, sportively and socially, anj-' 1$< the season is on in its fullest sense. t[ There Is no event that brings the multltudi'.% in all its different planes together in sue;? ,V unison as this great show, which, both Nevj V York and the lovers of sport In other citle^ V attend. EDITH A. NOBLE. j ij Van Bibbers Are Plentiful. Visiting The Stalls. The society man in conventional dress suit saunters about, and Van Bibbers are plentiful in their evening coats and silk hats. Thos who are connoisseurs can be detected at once, and those who are not seldom are absorbed In the critical moments pending the awarding of prizes. When the critics give an unlooked-for decision the stir that is created is a proof of the tension the majority are upon, and the favorite that wins the blue rib- bon is cheered lustily. In fact, the unconventlonality ot the entire audience is as marked as it is select, as it is unconventionality on a refined scale. As a social feature the horse show is a dis- tinct phase of New York life; as a sportive event it has no rival, and as an exhibition of horseflesh it is alone in its superior attrac- tions. Beneath the ground floor the stalls are placed, and the public is allowed to view the horses as they rest on their laurels. The stalls are clean and carpeted with hay, and the numbers correspond to the catalogued numbers, so each one can he identified. Here the owners are busy giving orders; the stable Grooms Wear an Air of Pride, The Paris Exposition. Worlds fairs are beneficent contributors to the advancement of civilization. The inher- ent artistic sense of the Frenchman, as well i£,h . d lST e . ,or m «terial Bain, prompted k ^ s .i°>. Dla for the * Tetit World's Fair to be held there next year, and the supreme de- Eire is to achieve an artistic triumph. ,J J s estimated that the fair will bring two hundred millions of dollars to the French capital. The estimate is based upon the fact that foreigners spent $150,000 in Paris in 18S9 ™ E f r . I Y > U!? DB of the $100,000,000 spent by ?.™! nc1 ?. 1 Frem:nln *n- « U is reasonably ac- fn/lf' " v Z ! ? ue that there will be a profit eL "position venture of $180,000,000 to the * reach Nation, for the total outlay will not ^f" 1 , *20-°00.<X». or about the sime is the cost pf the Chicago Exposition, in .iI s . . d th at """>* ot the buildlnas are in almost complete readiness, and that the FW- n h ew £2 Palac,,s are an evidence of i-rctt.i, architectural skill, as they are superb h n t eV , e h r L d S ta "- J' 8wms almost incredible that they have been erected In so short a space of time-three years. The administration has taken all necessary Ebko1?LP?i? b,e t0 offcr visitors anTtx- hibitors security against fire. All wood of the wUh'IT 1 ! "V.".' ° U »<H°BS *"1 be covered materia? J?A 1 *n U £, coat of «">n-lnflammabe in .2 '• * nd a " stairways will be fire proof. consZ Cr „ g f en J :y ."? h i * yatem toT "»«»>» use wil bearSr I 'lf2f ,c ! ampB of one-candle power sjA^^'efflss: wl " be admitted O^IVU" 5 " or asbestos curtains, fry win f h„ h ? *"»*««»exhibits from this coun- ni?«tor«J ni 1 d™^*" machinery, and Com- mnBc a JS? 8 *? 1 Peck ,s endeavoring to ar- i" admK.H l e, *« tr,c »> display that will ex- •ri," Si lratlon tTOm eve T nation. in h,tt of American forestry will bo Iobh. F ° r< * tr y Building, built of American ml'at ^"r^ 1 ! 0 m,Dln * exnlbu from Callfor- Umlshin,:« [' Ex P 08 " l0n *"' °° » very as- r<«lt!o n n w» at n°. ns are . th «t the Universal Kx- niaklnK fall b ^°. ne .u 0f lhe 8™"dest and epoch a,g ,ctes that the world has ever seen. Mi" Par^Tsffhitm on .^Ji 6 ."*'™ Exhibits to A•. s ,«ia,l„ E ^, lb . ltl0I1 . o, 1899 - "presenting the " ". t sSunJl A „ mcrlc * n Colleges and Exper- I'niir^HS""' h V "Quested Prof. Prlc£ to ™uon o B0 2^, w ? rk showing the new classlfl- tib "ion t".' 1 •£!?■ °, f 'he Peach tor this ex- uiumon. The botanical features ot this sci- entific classification were first worked out by Prof. Price in 1S96. The classification is based upon the differences of fruit, foliage, seed and fruit buds. All the features were shown on a large chart consisting of drawings, one oil painting and descriptive notes. This classi- fication, has a practical bearing also. By fol- lowing it one can select varieties that will bear in most any climate of the temperate zone. This is illustrated forcibly in the col- lege orchards that consist of varieties be- longing to races adapted to this locality, and they have borne profitable crops of fruit through tbe late killing freezes during the past several years. The photographs showing the wonders of irrigation in the West, irrigation systems and tbe great growth of orchards and crops un- der this method of farming, the surrounding arid country supporting nothing but scrub and sage brush, are to be made a special fea- ture. There will be a continuous exhibit of American fresh fruits, and particularly those for which it is desired to create a demand or expand the European market. Never before has this been attempted. The Armour Pack- ing Company has agreed to hold in storage, free of charge, all apples sent forward for display at the Paris Exposition. This com- pany will also, by arrangement with the so- ciety, pay all charges. The scale upon which the exposition is to be constructed is indicated in the fact that the catalogue will cost $90,000 to print, and will contain about 100,000 names. In a com- petition with three firms as contestants the contract was awarded the Lemercier Com- pany at 433.000 francs,' or less than half the amount to be paid for that setting forth the exhibits of the 1900 exposition. The cata- logue will, be printed In eighteen volumes, according to divisions of exhibits, and must contain the names of all exhibitors. Of tne estimated 100,000 exhibitors, the United Stales will probably have 2,000, though that num- ber could have been greatly increased had there been more space for exhibits. One of tbe most interesting features will be a model American Postoffice, which will be up to date in every respect. Arrange- ments have been made with the French postal authorities by which mails for Americans m Paris will be s«nt direct to this Postofflce in- stead of going through the regular channels. In this way three or four hours' time will be saved in the distribution of the mails. The idea was suggested by Commissioner General west Main Street Board, Newark, Ohio, W". W". Rugg. Owner. Peck, and is heartily indorsed by the de-{l partment. The omnibus company ot Paris will have! 92 lines and 1,500 vehicles, performing 25.000 : journeys a day, and capable of transporting: 1,028,000 passengers. The Russians are preparing for the expos!-' tion a map of Prance in stone, which will be H a remarkable specimen of the lapidary's skiil. : ! It will show each separate department in : - jasper,, while the sea will be represented by >' lapis lazuli, the rivers by platinum and 1015 ■ towns marked by precious stones. The admission will be: Before 10 a.m., two francs, or about forty cents, to the entire ex- „ hibition; between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 7. p.m. a franc will be the charge, and after 6 - ! p.m. on week days two francs, while on Sun- " day the fee is not to be raised for the even.-.' Ing hours. i A new feature of the 1900 Exhibition Is the. United States Publishers' Building, now inn course of construction, in which will be dis- ' played the history of the printing press in. . America, and specimens of work done In the '• United States. . i t , - A monster wine barrel has just been built \ i'l at Nancy, France, for the exposition. A din- Wfi ner was given inside the barrel to the 150 | coopers who made it. Stories of wonderful corn crops are told in- all the Western States. Stalks from twelve to fifteen feet high are common, but In Kay County, Oklahoma, one stalk has been found that measures over twenty feet, beating the record made by a Texas stalk in 1S9S, which measured nineteen feet and four inches. This stalk has been sent to Washington to com- pete for a prize at the Paris Exposition. A complete set of the reports of the geologi- cal survey of Kansas will be bound in leath- er and sent for exhibition. Prof. Erasmus Haworth suggested the matter to the Secre- tary of State, and the latter ordered him to bring up the reports from the State Univet- ! sity and have them bound at once. A bicycle geared to 210 will be sent to the i Paris Exposition. The front sprocket con- ' teins sixty teeth and the rear sprocket sev- enteen teeth. it is said that among the peculiar attrac- tions at the raris Exposition will be a great machine for making clouds of all varieties at will. At the Paris Exposition next year accom- }%■ modation will be provided for 21,000 bicycles. ■ #■ One penny will be charged for the care of each machine, while for 2%d the attendant will convey it to any gate the rider may choose to depart from. It is certain that the minimum rate for & single passage on first-class steamships will not be below $100. *^ ^ s? lit; 1