The Leavenworth weekly times., 1876-07-13

.ha .,ont stick of the Eskimo, ito the
.J;r, and shapely oar Of the shell:racer The
snor,.nen will find thousand suggestions
;n ,he innumeraole nets, traps, eei-pots
and Iobster-pots, lines, reels, spoons, hies,
s,,;,,ar. and hooks. The fisherman has all
tis paraphernalia there IN oysters, oyster
s..e5 enormous shell-, oysters growing on
boots and wood, and one bibulous bivalve
with his mouth glued TO bottle OF Mrs.
WinsIow's soothing syrup, In bait mills,
diving houses, fish oil factories, fsh ways,
and p;ctures and models Of all fishes. There
is a fine miniature Of whaling life. with all
the experiences and scenes represented TO the
life. Then there is all the array OF whai-
inc tools. harpoons, spades, guns, swords,
Knives specimens of whale bone, and the
enormous iaw-bones OF q sperm whale.
The show OF Sitka fishing utensils is espec,
ial,y attractive. there Is every device oi
bone in the shape OF spears, hooks, and
three-headed darts, with feathered rhait
like the Indian arrow. Then, there Is
every invention for camp life, and all the
devices of tarpaulin protection, which makes
one lorg to camp out with such things 10
diminish The hardship, exposure and dan
ger. -,
After all these things come the almost
endless show of minerals, useful and valua-
bic, from all parts OF the world: did mol
devote any time to this portion, but went on
TO the Indian corner, where are gathered
ALI the costumes known among the many
tribes of this continent. 1t would he lm-
possible to describe or designate any. 10
talk about them with Gen. Eaton, Is worth
a Journey across seas.
The collections Of pottery and ornaments
of the Indian peoples reached back INTO
remote and prehistoric times, and the mind
goes dreaming away of the unknown past,
AZ the pictures and casts of ancient ruins
in Colorado and Mexico come under the
eve. The geological and geographical sur
yeys have brought together iDexhaustibie
fun $ of knowledge about this land, ages
before any Caucasian ever trod It's shores.
The stone age appears In household and
war implements, the purpose OF which Is
seen at a glance, and the great horn spoon
has many children OF beauty, with carv-
ings worthy designer OF modern table
service. The articles of basket stuff, wood,
rush, fibre, cover all uses for such vessels.
The dice, cards, chess and dolls OF tine In
dians explain their amusements, and either
the inferiority or the independence OF the
women among them is carried 20 lar that
the latter have a different kind OF dice
from the men. Theirs are made OF half
nut shells filled with black wax, and
beads or shells of white for spots.
Evidently with them, necessity Is the
mother OF invention.
A good hint TO doll makers is given by
good-sized Indian doll OF horrid visage,
and bright red dress, with sledge shaped
back of wood, and a string to draw II by.
There are most beautiful transparencies
of the great western mountains, photo
graphed by the u. S. surveying expedition,
and complete models typographical OF the
Yellowstone region, and the grand canon Of
the Colorado. In this department is a school
for every BOY and girl, well worth deal OF
sacrifice to attend. There are models OF
huts Of the indians in Alaska, with their
totem posts and hideous decorations Of gods
and idols, ard actual totem POSTS Of enOr
nous height, carved into many grotesque
faces and figures, painted equal to mod
ern belle, all carved out of single log.
There is an Indian dug-out from the
same country sixty feet long, OF good shape,
and probably good sailing qualities, deco
rated in the same style OF art.
The patent-t flee models did not linger
over. They are too numerous and too be-
wiidering. There will be more than enough
of that when get TO Machinery Halt
The remainder of the Government build
ing has extensive displays OF the lighthouse
service, with all the Improvements in lamps,
stations and light-hosts. The large revolv-
ing light is beauty. and the models Of
boats and Lighthouses are wonderfully at
tractiye.
The u. S Engineer Corps has a good
show of lis own work and service, full OF
inventions and Improvements that are an
honor TO this most honorable arm OF the
war force The army and navy show all
the changes in uniform, from the Minute
man Of 10 to the brave private Of the new
20, and IRON the crew Of Paul Jones to
the marine and sailor Of 10 day. The
murderous guns OF our time are
ranged alongside the cannons Of the
Revolution, and the Spanish guns taken in
Mexico. There is battery and section of
bronze guns presented by Lafayette, which
are handsome even now. There Is all the
toggery of Washington, who was vain
and very high-toned gentleman, with silver,
pewter and china that was oEce his prop
erty. Around these relics a crowd OF good
people fingers lovingly. In the war wing
is the cartridge-ma aking machinery, which
attracts throng of gakers all the time.
But more interesting Than this Is the ma
chine which cuts, folds, psstes, stamps and
counts 25,000 centennial stamped envelopes
every hour. One woman-good- looking,
and 1 ought to say here that all lady Oper-
atives have seen seem to have been select
ed with an eve TO beauty, which always in
creases the interest in things-one woman
superinrends it all. 1t is wonder.
The Postal Service has magnificent and
complete post-ofiice, where all postal busi-
ness for the Centennial is transacted. There
is also display of all sorts Of mail bags,
beautifully arranged in glass case.
The Medical and Surgical Department
has all its appliances disposed to make
good showing, and the tools and hospital
articles are full of reminders TO the veter-
ans OF the late unpleasantness
have not and cannot give you fair
idea of what this building contains, but
can only give some few hints, which will
make all YOUR readers ache to come here
Around the building are grouped the "Big
Guns OF the Army ard Navy" and the tur-
ret Of real monitor is open to the inspec-
tion Of all who will climb up and down its
sides.
My next letter will give you my notes