Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-09
THE EXPOSITION BUILDING.
The Framework Of the Dome Raised-Pro-
gress OF the Work-The Fair to be Held

The Framework Of the Dome Raised-Pro-
gress OF the Work-The Fair to be Held
this Year in the Old Pavilion.
One Of the heaviest and most difficult
pieces of mechanical handling and raising F"
of large framework ever attempted in this
country was successfully executed yesterday
at the new exposition building st Capitol
Park. The central dome was raised in q
body from tbs ground and placed in position
on lie supports, with its base 81 feet, and its
apex 10 feet above the ground. The msgni-
| tude of the undertaking can be uDders' God
| from q description Of the structure. The
dome consists Of two trusses of 142 feet span,
crossing each other at right angles at the
center, with intermediate trusses and
purlines from truss to truss Ia the
angles formed by tbs main frame.
All the trusses are tied together with net
work Of diagonal rods and braces, the whole
weighing soma thirty tens aid covering an
area of TO, 800 square feet. This massive
structure had been previously erected on the
ground, with the four feet OF the main trusses
resting on blocking, and the apex rising
soma fifty feet in the air. In order to pro-
vide against any hidden flaw or weakness in
any part of the dome, it was decided by Mg
Burrell. the srchitsct, that thorough test
should be made of its capacity before raising.
Accordingly, Gu Tuesday, over forty tons of
timber was suspended on the dome, and heavy
shocks and jars given the structure while 80
weighted. all without disclosing the slightest
weakness.
The supports Of the dome, which were
already in place. consist of four pots, each
twenty-four inches square, and eixty-four feet
high so that to raiae the immense frame
from the ground sixtyfour feet perpendicu.
larly, and then six feet horizontally, and
place it on its supports, seemed daring and
hsrculean task. The two large deuicks which
have been in uso generally at the building for
raising purposes, and two immense gin
poles" 14x24 inches in eizs, were placed one
at each OF the four corners of the dome.
Heavy ropes and tackle were attached, and
power furnished by four "crabs" or wenches,
turned by hOrses-one attached to each
derrick or "giu-pole." At 10 o'clock, all
being in readiness. word YVES given
the horses turned their circles, and the
immense structure started hsavenward. Il
was not desirable 20 have mass of people
crowding ayoand the building during the rails.
ing, and by request no public notice was
given of the intended raising. YET there were
q largo number Of interested spectators col
lected about the Park, among them Governor
StDaeman, Secretary of State Thompson AID
other State officials. Assistant Whitaker
had mounted q temporary flagstaff on the
dome, and when the structure was sailing
mGjssticslly upward the stars and stripes
were flung TO the b-eeze. The sight was a
grand one, and was much enjoyed by those
who were fortunate enough to be present.
The time consumed, from the time of start
ing 60 the time of landing the dome On it's
supports, was six and one half hours.
The raising was under the supervision of
n. L. Kirk, Of 0 skland, wac displayed much
skill in handling his msn and machinery. He
wss assisted by Mr.. Brewster and MIR. Whit
taker, of San Francisco. Mr.. Cook, the
Superintendent, was alsc present giving his
assistance.
Mr.. Blu. ell, the architect. has been present
This week giving general directions. While
the dome was being raised three Photographic
yieFs OF the structure, showing it il different
positions, were taken. Two wings Of the
building and the dome are now in position
and give evidence Of the massive proportions
of the new building.
There is now no hope that the building will
be completed in time FOR use at the fair next
mon b. At the last meeting OF the Bosfd
of Agriculture a communication from the
architect and superintendent, stating thatthe
building could not be complsted. was read
aud placed on file. Mr.. BUrrell was present,
and stated that two, aad perhaps three wings
and the central portion could be put into
shape so that they could be used for eXposi-
ton purposes, and thereby moro room would
be seeuIed than in the old pavilion.
After some discussion in tho Board, reso-
luton chat the Board would not accept the
use Of portion of tbs building was carried
unanimously. There are two Tsasons fer this
action. One is inst, although the uncom-
pieted building would undoubtedly be safe
enough, il would be very hard to make the
public behave it, as the community has not
vet recovered from the recent falling of this
frame york of one Of the wings The other
reason is, that it vas the opinion of the
BosYd that the contract with Mr.. BicKil-
lican would be vitisted should the use Of
portion of the building be accepted.
The CONTRACT specifies forfeiture Of $500 per
day for each day the work is unfinished after
September LIST, and present indications are
that tie number Of days will reach 8 score OF
more. The reason assigned for nos having
the building completed within the Specified
time is the accident above referred to- and the
inability to secure q sufficient number of COM
petent men. However, it is generally con-
sidered by well informed men that tic tins
allowed for erecting il was entirely too short.
Arrangements have been made to have the
new building lighted by electric lights, and
as the Board expect to have tc stand by their
contract, they have determined to have Ehs
old building lighted by electricity. As 1t
will not require al the lights bargained tor
Go light the old building, the remainder will
be utilized in lighting Sixth street, from K TO
NJ. The Pavilion will be put into the best
possible condition, snd with the addition Of
the electric lights it will present bstter APP
ko, hat