The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-06-23
Centennial Letter.

~
II D'g Do"'
HHd7elPh,n JHhe 20, 1876.
The sixth week of the Exhibition opencd
well aud closed active. A stea iy increase
in the attendance is still noticeable. Even
rainy DAYS are no drawback to the enjoy.
meut of visitors for it the avenues and
walks are wet and muddy, aud the air damn,
the interior of the buildings afford II dry,
comfortable and most entertaining retreat
4 ludicrous incident occurred ON Tuesday
at one of the entrance turnstiles. A fat boy
"A home specimen from Illinois and a RI
val to Blrnum '.-prcsenlrd himself at the
usual place of entrance but was to his own
dismay unable to pass through. The gate.
keepers were powerless to render assistance
or advice. Their orders were to permit no.
body to pass into the grounds eycept through
the stie, and vet this applicant wa. in the
most literal sense body" What was to
be done? The boy had his fftv.cent niece
in his hand and demanded admission. The
Department of admissions was appled TO-
a hurried consultation was held, and AS "A last
resort the heavy youth was admitted through
the wagon gate.
The Women's Department at the Exhi-
bition is one of the things not to be sneezed
at. The New England kitchen is quite a
centre of attraction, and is one of those dis
tinct features that 4 person is likely to in
spect several times The ladies, under the
of Miss Emma Southwick
have been extremely fortunate in securing
many objects of special interest for exhibit
ton, which are doubly notable by reason
of their novelty and age. A combination OF
quaint architecture, antiquated furniture,
and the epochal costumes of the attendants,
gives one pleasing view of life in New En-
glanla century ago. There is chair that
was brought from Old England in the Sec
ond ship that landed on our coast and an
other, made in Danvers, Mass, over two
hundred years ago, which has decended
from the family of Governor Endicott. I'M
derneath Il clock, said to have been made
los years ago, is John Alden's writing desk,
which was brought over in the HtVRotCer.
The fireplace is Il glimpse of history in its.
elt. Hanging over the fire on crane are
two of the oddest-looking kettles said to
have come from England in the CardWeM
On the mantel are the inder-hox, the cranL-
lamp, and other ancient articles, ab%ve
which hang the old fint-lock musket and
powder. horn. At the side of the firelHace
Is a small but neat spinn ng wheel, which
according to Mrs. General Cunningham,
was brought to this country in the MayRoW-
er. Years ago it was thrown aside as use
less, but when the Centennial movement be-
.rou to evtand ;ts ;nAuanca oyar th, o1,,,,,tr,,
Snu w VN'0N SS 10 ,"i'"Ii|o w. 'io c'uh,ty,
MISS lower 'ooN nolu ol IL, FURNISHED IT
up nnI p". =. III .onnl'ion aI W oe opeIateu
on ny hei' nuoh W we amusement oi the
stsitois' r 1fionS,'to VI .he Miiee, Is chest
Vi oraweis, saiu " oe .wo hunufeu req years ora,
an assei''on its hPPeaial'ce iuiiy Jnstiiies
,ne tru'" VI "a. lne otne. sue o' the hearth
nn"es - sII tha ,i'a"o ad yen,s aso; anu
.nmp'o ~ tht .no N' uea eos oi tnG gen
.,,'y ", .", 10y ay.,,tai 80 ';'o ; vans nanss
~ Io''," Wn,i ,t e " i-ieu.e'nn.o Iu ooio'
n ,ei Na.lian 't',H'. ", np.ii oohh ,.ancocS'
ii9. solei':, VI .n'.'onu'1.Vs' VI o. AZ
81 penoen' 's " S"H'u ~oin @ oy eolohe. q par,
,o.t ,o.t Al VIC No"'oiu isn' vi Apiii
,'.n, ,'no, ,, WV" ;l W va on'y captain.
"a reM.o' p'':.ei, a",u !" nn.c 1 1eeh hilue
oenti e,t "so, - su'Pennu ueI'ue caltee', en
VI ;, ,no itous'o, ~ a"' "oouon Pi':e' nlitu
VII G., i,'',Ns ". e,,"o, nut Mnioi orislmuy
iou'', ,oi.ieu !" o,.ion " ,",ni''"'io youhS
-i! ~ mas =, ousIV -, w ,h; "n mi'..sn.oileu
I;,H ~ .''o III o:,,na, "a'o ~ Nogue
uuiihs .ne nesp,uaion' 1 Wi'n i's pecul'ar.llg-
u,ou P'a.oS P.,n "'i maj! ouPe nhu SAN
res cs NJ NY, ,f;I .'',.io n; H. "n's',e 'l'',ue
tho no' Il RI ii,,, IT, VIVA "N''n 10 p'''"''e'
anS ,o..o","s ,"o'
rhat Uu Of pes t NJ v"u e,nf - ,E whis ls.
We believe we've accomplished the wonderful rhing,
Ana all VINO may WISH can make tiiS Iii sing"
And these are not all the unique exhibits in
this department, OF which l shall speak
again hereafter for the benefit of your lady
readers.
Yesterday had a look at the famous
Wisconsin war Eagle, "Old Abe" now on
exhibition in Agricultural Hall. This old
VRtprnn'Ot whom nparly nVpryhDIV has bau ru
was captured by Chippewa Indian in
Northern Wisconsin, in 1861, and was car
rled by the Sth Wisconsin regiment three
yeas, passing through % battles. lie after
wards became state Bird" and has often
been on exhibition for charitable objects,
earning over so ,OOO. While In the build
ing learned that the jury on agricultural
machinery have decided to abandon the Old
practice OF field trials, believing that no fair
estimate of the value OF machines can be
formed from such trials. The quality OF du-
rability for instance, which is one of the
most important in the competition of reapers,
plows, &c. cannot be ascertaned at all by a
single exhibition of their working. The
jury will, therefore, merely examine the
machines AS they stand in Agricultural Hall
and will recommend such makes as seem to
combine the most improvements.
\ conflict of authority has arisen between
the Centennial Commissioners and the Cen
tennial Board of Finance, the latter contend
ing that as they are entrusted with the mon.
ey and their oSiccrs are under heavy bond.
for the proper expenditure OF it, they shoulc
have absolute control of the funds. The,
therefore decline to pay some useless saIarie
and other extravagances. The preponder-
ance Of legal opinion and public sympath,
appears to be with the Board of Finance
who have so judiciously guarded the purse.
strings against the m0onshino of pompcu
figure heads. Arrangements for the 4th o
July demonstrations are in progress, thougl
there are indications that the parade won
be so large an affair It's was contemplated
| A Disposition was manifested on the part o
the commission to have the ceremonies tax
place within the Centennial Grounds, bu
good sense has prevailed to make it IL fre
show on that day, aud Independence souar
has been selected rs the spot. GoycrnO