Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-06-01
Special correspondence OF the Journal.
Centennial Letter.
1926, LANCASTER AVE-,

esque drama KIN own rs the American
International Exhibition. During our
brief stay In the Quaker City we
have been able to obtain but a
glimpse Of all the wonderful and
magnificent things to be seen at our
Centennial.
We feel convinced that what had
previously been told Is true, viz:
that no one can get any satisfactory
idea q what Il p b aea IT, IA
iess than two weeks. -
We were charmed with the appear-
ance OF Fairmount Park, az least
with such as we saw OF the 467 acres
which Ii the seperate enclosure for
all the buildings put up for exhibit
ton purposes. There are wide,
inviting avenues winding around
and about the buildings, acres of vel.
vety lawns, romantic retreats and
ravines, and the green plateau Of
Horticultural Hall, now adorned
with rare flowers and plants?
Here and there through the
grounds can be seen rolling chairs.
mostly occupied by ladies, slowly pro-
pelled by blue uniformed attend.
ants, from one point OF attraction to
another. These chains will prove a
great blessing to delicate and lame
persons, who long 10 enjoy the
sights at the Centennial but are not
able to walk through the buildings
and from place to place on the
grounds. phe price OF these chairs
is so cts per hour. There was con-
stantly changing scene outof doors; |;
the Chinese, Egyptians, Turks and
a score Of other nationalities were In
termingled with the changing
crowds through which we passed.
Although the scene on the
grounds was beautiful and interest
Ing, we found upon entering the
mighty structure known as tho
Main Building how entirely im-
possible II was, from any deseriptio
we had read, to form an Idea OF
its nagnis ada. J. 4ss,s s-
We feel that we must repeat our
visit many times before we can
gain anything like full compre-
hension OF all that Is TO be seen here.
The building is divided into sec.
tions, and they are occupied by the
exhibits of the different countries.
The exhibits are arranged in cases,
everything OF value being under
glass. There are thirty.nine countries
represented, but as yet we have had
only time 10 pass hastily through the
building and observe the general ar.
rangement. The western entrance IL
the one at which most persons com
mence their tour through the main
building. At the left as we enter we
perceive the wondrous wood carvings
and treasures of terra Gotta and china
sent here from the home OF ancient
and modern art--Italy. On the
right Is displayed the mineral wealth
OF the Argentine Republic. Chill, in
a well arranged Pavilion, displays
the riches OF her silver mines. Just
beyond, upon the right, China and
Japan exhibit the porcelain aud tor
toise shell In countless useful and or.
objects.
Opposite China and japan are the
Kingdoms OF Norway and Sweden,
showing merchandise Of many kinds
that we did NOT suspect were manu-
fuctured In those northern latitudes.
The l!fe-slzea groups representing
scenes In ncrtlc. life are constantly
by crowds. But we have
not space to make even brief mention
OF the various countries In this letter.
On the right we pass by Denmark,
Turkey and Spain, whose exhibits
are walled In by lofty and artistic
structures. Spaln's imposing portal
has an especial interest for the Amer
leans, since the places Of honor In 1t
are given TO the portraits OF Colum-
bus and his patron Isabella. Passing
with "a slight notice the spaces OF
Russia, Portugal, Austria and Ger
many, we come to the grand dome
that IN rks the center OF the twenty
two acres Of the main building. I'm.
derneath Its canopy Gilmore's
famous seventh regiment band de-
lights the multitude for hours daily.
We shall have something TO say in a
future letter OF the remarkable dis
play surrounding this center.