Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-09-04
THE EXPOSITION.
Minneapolis Apiaze-A Great Dis.
play-The People.

~AfOLl NAlLln.s aug. oU.-W ell,
the great day has come and gone.
Never has Minneapolis been in such a
high state of exultatlon as on Monday,
August %, when she threw open the
doors of her mammoth exposition build
ing, thus demonstrating to the world the
ability Of her 10000 people to handle
big enterprises as well or better than
her older and longer established eastern
cities. No, l am not going to say any,
thing about the rivalry between st. Paul
and Minneapolis, or as some people call
them, the SANITY and Flour cities, be-
cause in the first place it is too old a
theme, and live newspapers deal with
live issues, and secondly because the
rivalry and heartburning is only on one
side-which side l leaye it to the we'll
known intelligence Of the readers Of your
paper to decide. But to return to the
exposition. 1t was opened on Monday
at 2:3O with all the pomp and circum-
Stance Of glorious war the roar of can
non, the blarc Of trumpets or brass
bands, the glittering of uniforms, and so
on ad infinitum. But it was a fine spec
tacle, and the $4,000 or 10000 people.
who filled the building on that day re-
joiced in their hearts and were exceed
lngly glad owe the successful fruition of
their hopes. The Grafton of Hon. C. K.
Davis, of St. Paul. was a mastery effort,
and received unstinted applause at the
hands of its hearers. Then the famous
Mexican band was heard, and at once
took its hearers by storm. The precis-
ion with which they play is wonderful,
and the excellence Of the organization
fully demonstrates the wisdom of the
management IN securing their services.
AS to the building itself. 1t is hand
some structure, COMPOSED almost en-
tirely Of brick and stone, and overlooks
the wonderful falls of St. Anthony. 1t
has eight acres of floor space. and at this
writing resembles very much the Chlca-
60 exposition in its palmiest days. In
looking through it l find that I can well
agree with the veracious advertising
mans statement that SIX days can be
profitably and pleasantly spent in look
ing through it. Indeed, l question if a
longer time could not be we'll spent in
admiring the wealth of wonders con-
tanned IN this vast emporium of the in
dustries, arts and sciences. This last is
only a quotation from some of the ad.
yertisements, and l can assure you will
not occur again.
But perhaps someo Of your readers will
say. What, pass six days IN Minneapo-
lis, undergoing such heavy expenses p
Fear not, nv friends, for the directors
of the exposition, exercising a beneficent
care oyer the stranger within their gates,
have established a free bureau of infor-
nation at 100 Nicollet avenue, where a
visitor il search of accommodations is
given a card with the name of a house
holder or boarding house, the location,
and just what he will have to pay per
week. This is a good feature, and is one
which has been appreciated by visitors
to the exposition thus far. That is one
thing about the metropolis of the golden
northwest. Her people are always
ready to advertise her attractions, and
do 1t in the best way by offering hospi-
tality to her visitors.
l presume you have heard somewhat
of the glories of Nicollet avenue under
the ley system of illumination. 1t is
the most unique, and ut the same time
the most beautiful, spectacle eve wit
messed in this wonderful city. As far rs
the eye can reach along Nicollet avenue
there are rows of colored lights. Gas
jets are run along each sidewalk, and
these are surmounted by red, white and
blue globes, the effect In the day being
very beautiful, while st night it is sim
ply dazzling. The other streets, Jealous
Of the appearance of Nicollet avenue,
are getting out illuminations too, the
most striking yet added being a MANI
moth horseshoe of incandescent lights,
suspended like Mahomet's coffin. be.
tween heaven and earth, the effect at
night being simply a large horseshoe
without any visible means of support.
1 wantt to tell YOU Il little about the
Mexican band. Do | hear you say in
that mildly remonstrative voice which
is and has been from time immemorial
the peculiar property of the editorial
tribe, go ahead. Well, then, they are
all short men, dark like all the people
of the sister republic, but with a strength
of lung which is simply marvellous,
They are all soloists of a high order, and
all rank high in the army of Mexico
Mr.. Byron, the secretary, one of the most
genial, courteous and patient gentlemen
since the days of the boil-affected patri.
arch, informs me that they were select
ed from among 200 musicians, so that
your readers can judge that they are
next to perfect.
In addition to the band we have a
grand cathedral organ costing $4,000
1t vas built expressly for this exposition,
and attracts a great deal of attention,
its deep, rich notes filling the vast space
as easily az a grand piano does an aver.
age sitting room.
These days Minneapolis is suffering
from what the Mexicans call "moocha
choler" (much heat), yet notwithstand.
ing the great degree of warmth the at.
tendance is very large and keeps on in
creaslng. 1t is no uncommon spectacle
70 see 5000 people in the building at one
time, and yet the place is so large tina,
you a hardly see them.
I am glad to hear that the active and
efficient director of the art departmen t
Mr.: H. Jay Smith, who labored so lone
and with such good results for the gal
lery, is rapidly recovering from his re
cent indisposition. He mentally ex
hausted himself, and came within ont