The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-04-11
Our Exposition Letter.
From our special Correspondent.


creation your correspondent leaving the
exposition awhile 10 run itself Will take
the reader on a short tour among the
historic places. Canal, the broad street
Of the Crescent city, divides it into TWO
parts, the upper and lower sec'iopa,Gnd
from the same Iadiatc all the car lines.
carrying you To whatever point you
wish To go. On this great central
thoroughfarc are located the principal
retail establishments, theatres. etc,
and near the entrance Of St. Charles
street stands large and very ugly
statue OF Henry Clay, the sculptor's
name being omitted, for doubtless
prudential reasons. People, when tired,
sit about it's base cracking peanuts and
stale Jokes At or near the foot OF
Canal is the principal boat landing.
where swarns of dalkies are usually
busy durin. ,he winter season loading
and unloading cotton. The great Gus
tom house is also near the levee, built
of ttUincy granite, occupying al entire
block having a frontage on Canal of 33i
feet. and it is said to be second n size
to but one other building in the
country, the capitol at Washington be-
ing its only rival in point of dimensions,
though it is to be hoped that ii does not
excel this custom house in uglineSs, for
it is certainly without Il rival in the lack
Of architectural beauty and attractive
ness, though its great marble business
room upstairs, is SAID to bethe grandest
commercial room in the United States.
! Tie half or more of the ground floor is
occupied ty the post office. all other
/ parts by Federal courts, and various
port officers. The site of this building
was that of Fort ROYAL, built III 1892 by
! Baron de Carondelct, its guns cCm-
handing every approach to the city, rs
! then built. Three-quarters Of century
prior TO 81, Bienvillc had fine man
sion adjoining the custom house site,
! built in what was then forest, where
! he entertained wanderers and tourists
/ in royal style; for some years afterwards
/ Ursuline nuns used it rs q conyent.
Below Canal street is the older and
what is usually called the French quar-
! ter Of the city, where there are numer-
ous Oddly built houses, much like those
common in France, Italy and Spain,
many Of which are olnamented and
covered with tiles. This section is
crowded with little stores shops and
wne-rooms and other refreshments
/ adapted to all tastes, and the
streets are very narrow and not
ut ali attractive, especially at night
when the gas is turned Off. aS has been
the ease for some time, owing To dis
agreement between the city and gas
company. Several blocks below the
custom house is the famous Jackson
square. noted as the spot where the ter
rit0ry of Louisiana was formally trans
ferred from Napoleon to Uncle Samuel:
here also, General Jackson. on Dee. ~.
1874, reviewed his troops. shortly prior
TO the decisive battles Of Chalmette.
Opposite the square stands the st. Louis
cathedral, built originally in 1872, but
now nearly renewed by repeated ad-
ditions. On either side Of the cathedral
stands the ancient headquarters of the
! French and Spanish governors, and an
old prison. neither much changed, and
looking unique and ancient.
The square itself, Il very pretty little
park. is ornamented with q splendid
! equestrian statue of General Jackson.
! in full uniform, waving his enormous
! hat and indicating Il = By the eternal
aspect generally. Near the square is
! the French market, 80 much written
about, devoted TO the sale of all sorts Of
fish. garlic and stuff, having three
buildings adjoining each other, erected
I in 1913. and chiefly interesting on ac-
count Of the conglomeration of human
ity one witnesses in it, Tor them COM
posed as they are Of every hue color and
| shape. and chattering in everything III
every tongue, French, Italian, Spanish,
Gumbo. etc. The Mint bnilt in 1886, is
Il short distance below the Market, en-
gagged entirely in coming only the cele-
brated dollar of our dads
The gem of the mountains is the
meaning Of the word Idaho, and as your
correspondent has not yet given you
any idea of what this territory is doing
at the worlds fair, we viii not longer
deav. Idaho was not favored by her
territorial legislature with one cent, Of
whereby 10 unable her to shine with her
| sister states and territories, yet she is
ut the great convention and does not
take a rear seat by any means. All the
credit is due however to Colonel Geo. l..
! Sh0up. United states commissioners, ana
and Mr. \. j. MacNab acting commits
sioner. who have from their own private
resources. put up $4,000, and their own
time 10 place Idaho in a favorable light
before the thousands who daily tlirong
the exposition buildings. No display
among the different states and terri
tories is more artiStically arranged,
every specimen of quartz as well rs
grains and grasses are handsomely
mounted ana placed IN glass cases. he
commissioners Office is doubtless thf
most comfortably furnished. and the
hospitality therein extended to friends
cannot, like Idaho's rich minerals, be
eXcclled.
Among some Of the specimens from
rich paying mines shown in the elegan,
glass cases, might be mentioned these
from the Atlanta, Ramshorn, Chas
Dickens, Parker, Montana and Minnie
Moore mines. all Of which are elegan!
properties. Although mining is the
chief industry, farming, fruit growing
and especially stock raising are very
profitable. The yields of grain in Tie
valleys are exceptionally heavy and the
-, II; rs Lau fel. Ia