The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-07-13
A Glimpse Of the Great Centennial.

DEAR EAGIE:-I started from Wich-
ita on the morning of the Sth of June,
but having fingered by the way at sew
eral Of the towns of Central Illinois,
did not arrive at the Centennial City
until the 2lst. Ny first visit TO the
grounds of the Exhibition was made
on the 22d inst.
To every kansan the place of special
interest, and the one first visited, Is
the exhibition made by his own State.
Ii makes US feel proud of orr State,
when we can see such an exhibition
as the one made here III the Kansas
State building, and realize that it is all
done bv our own beloved Kansas,
There was time when our citizens
would use every means in their power
to conceal the place of their residence,
but that day has passed away. Yes
many persons mailing from other States
after going through this department
and examining the wonderful produc'
lions of our soil, would gladly claim
their residence within its borders, il
they could,
To the Board of Centennial Com
missioners great credit is due for th,
able manner in which they have exc
cuted the work entrusted to them
Everything seems TO be arranged with
the most perfect taste. Every one can
sec at a glance that the exhibition has
a much finer effect upon the visitor
than it would have had if less care hao
been exercised in the arrangement.
This Centennial Exposition has cost
Kansas large sum of money, but uh'
hike most investments of great sums
made by States, counties aud cities,w we
think il has been wisely and judicious'
IL expended, and that it will prove by
its results, in inducing immigration.t e
he one of the most profitable eXpendi
lures that has been made by our State
in recent years.
Doubtless our readers would like 8
short description of the building, and
we cannot do better than TO copy the
following description of the State Ex
position building from q circular IS
sued BY the State Board of Centennia
Managers "The Kansas Exposition
building is in the form of Maltese
cross. with four Office rooms at th(
outside intersections of the cross. Iht
length of each section of the cross Ii
80 feet. and the width 46 feet. The
height of the wings to the caves IS =
feet, and TO the center 40 feet. The
building is surmounted by dome 4
feet in height. The interior Of thu
dome is is feet from floor to roof. De
sign by Il. L. Carr, State Architect 10!
Kansas"
The great seal OF Kansas is painted
in the north wing of the building an(
Immediately below it is large map o
the State. 1t is fortunate for our State
that those who had the management
of this exposition thought to exhibit
as thew have done, a map showing al
the water-courses, timber-belts, rail
roads. the boundaries of all the coun
ties, the location of the towns and al
the school houses, whether great 81
small, found within her borders. The
map is twenty-four feet long by thlr
teen feet wide.
The agricultural products of Kansas
are displayed in the north and cas-
wings. the Atchison, Topeka & SAINT;
Fe Railroad Company making specia
exhibit of Kansas products in the cas-
wing. a great arch is formed IN thu
north wing, OF cotton, alternating
with wheat, oats. rye, millet and Other
Kansas products. The cotton used II
the decoratian was grown By Labett'
county; the grains and grasses were
grown in various parts OF the State
All kinds of grains and grasses arr
here displayed. Some of the grasses
are fully developed, while Others show
them maturcd about as they be foi
hay. The agricultural products art
all labeled-giving the name of tho
producer and the county where grown
We have wheat here on exhibition witt
stalks from 10 6 IL feet high, witt
heads 6 inches long, rye from to
feet high. oats from TO IL feet high
corn from Is to II, with ears from s tC
10 feet from the ground, and large
ones too. broom corn over Is feet high
blue grass about three feet high, thlr
teen varieties of wild grasses, from
the buffalo grass up to the blue stem
about ten feet high; clover about five
feet high, ears of corn fifteen inche:
long, stalk of pop corn with thirteen
years upon it.
A large bronze fountain occupie:
the center of the exhibition room
This fountain is a present frem the
ladies .of Topeka, and is very beauti
full. Above the fountain and imnedi
ately under the dome of the building
is suspended a fac smile of the Indie
pendencc Bell, which is formed entire
ly of Kansas products. The bell i
eight feet eight inches high, and thu
diameter at the open end is eight tee
nine inches. The outer rim of the bel
is made of wheat, millet, sorghum anc
broom corn. The tongue is composed
of gourd six feet long, and the ham
mer of the bell is a very large bell
.haped gourd. The inscription ronud
the top of the bell, proclaim Libert,
10 ALL is formed of millet and flax
The crack in the old bell is shown by
different colored grain woven into
the side of it. We think that Prot
Worrell, of Topeka, who designed it
deserves the thanks of our people. Al
who visit the building can't help bu
admire it.
The practicability of growing tim
Der in our State is shown by the exhl
bition of sections of trees of various
stages of growth, which have beer
planted by our people, and that firing
the borders of our streams. Quite al
array of hedge plants-one year
growth-from twelve to fourteen fee
in height. are also exhibited.
A reading room furnished with al
Kansas papers is neatly furnished, IL
one of the wings of the building. Herr
visitors can make themselves at home
and find quiet resting place.
Forty-two flags, representing all th'
nations OF the globe. surmount tn
building. and are a present from th'
ladies of Leavenworth.
The minerals of the State are als'
exhibited in one part of the building
Among the Wichita people that
have seen here, are the senior OF tn
EAGLE. NJ. NJ. Murdoch and Mrs. Muir
dock. Mr.. and Mrs. Todd aud Mis-
Patty. Miss Lulu McCabe. Thos. j
Holmes, foreman of the EAGLE Office
and Mr.. Alexander.
do not pretend that in my descrip
ton of the exhibit of Kansas products
that have done justice to the subject
for know there are many things oil
exhibition here that l have not men
toned. | will allow your readers <
supply the rest by their Imagination
they can. D. Il. H.
The death of General Custer vii
create a profound sensation through
out the whole country, and especial,
in Kansas where he saw several years