The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-02-11

Some three months ago, perhaps, the
idea Of holding winter carnival at st.
Paul was not sooner suggested than II
was acted upon, and receiving the
sanction of the Chamber of Commerce
the project at once commani led the
interest Of the public to such degree
that for quite space it has seemed as
if the entire population, male and fe-
male, had united as committee Of the
whole to contribute to its grandeur and
success. Very soon after the proposal
was made for q winter carnival with
an ice palace and attendant sports the
following official organization was
effected and vigorous preparations for
the festivities begun.
President, George r. Finch, lst Vice
President, George Thompson. End Vice
President, w. A. Van Slyke, Secretary.
A. 5. Tallmadge, Assistant Secretary J.. h
Hanson, Treasurer, Albert Scheffer.
Executive Committee: The above OH
GERS, and Messrs. y. +. Noyes, Il. 6. Ives.
and John Summers.
w. A. Van Slyke, Albert shelter, Alvaren
Allen, Dennis Ryan, u. r. Noyes, r. Mann
heimer, w. II. Dixon, h. G. Ives, +. B.
Clark, r. DuPuy, George Thompson, J. "
I. L. akm schnrmeer, M a L. Il. M.si,eld, n Fl r. ]. /.
Odell, w. 81. Fisher, L. +. kimball, John
Summers.
It was at once decided to erect an
Ice Palace, establish Carnival Hall.
provide Toboggan slides, an ice rink
for skating, polo and curling tourna-
ments, driving track for speed con-
tests and other sports, the whole
together forming an aggregation of
winter recreations worthy Of the
enterprise and public spirit which
characteristics the people Of St. Paul,
and has given the city the widest
prominence in all that goes to con-
stitute leadership in business under
takings and social amenities.
In the descriptive sOuvenier issued
by the Association it is mentioned that
the first ice palace Of which there is
historical record was built by order OF
GmpICSS Auud "a AAuSSl0s uCdE tue
river Neva, in 1741. 1t was fifty-six
feet in length. eighteen in depth and
twenty-one in height, the pallisading
being eighty-seven feet in length by
thirty-six feet in depth. In 1854, when
Empress Elizabeth held winter feast,
an ice palace of much greater proper
tions was builded on the Neva. The
idea was introduced into America, BY
the enterprising citizens of Montreal,
in 1888, and palace was erected on
the park adjoining the Windsor Hotel.
In 1854 another palace, more ornate
than the first, was built, and on the
last week in January, 1885, q grand
carnival was held there with . still
more elaborate ice editice as the Gen.
trail attraction.
After deciding upon carnival grounds
for which Central Park was secured,
$500 feet north and south by TOO feet
east and west) with vacant blocks On
either side added, the whole forming
the existing grand Carnival Park, with
an area Of fully eight acres, the erec-
ton Of the now famous ice palace was
begun. the toboggan slides, Kinks &c
provided. For the erection Of the ice
palace the carnival association was so
fortunate as to secure the services of
Mr.. j. II. Hutchinson Of Montreal,
whose plans were adapted, and on the
14th Of January the corner block was
laid with imposing ceremonies, witness
ed by thousands and participated in by
the Governor Of the State and Mayor OF
the city. The ice palace, of which truth
full illustration accompanies this article
is one hundred and fOrty-four feet in
length by one hundred and twenty feet
in width, with grand, massive, CEN
trail tower attaining an altitude Of one
hundred feet. This tower is provided
with Dattlements and embrasures, and
the architecture throughout is of the
pure medieval type. Tho main tower
is defended by IN outwork about thirty
two feet in height with battlcments and
towers at the angles. The outer walls
are twenty inches thick, and the GEN.
trail tower forty inches, and something
over 10000 blocks of ice were required
In its construction. The interior il
lighted at night by about so large elec-
trio lights and on the occasion of the
''storming of the palace" BY the army
of uniformed sno xshoers, various col
ored lights were burned within, and
immense quantities Of fireworks dis
charged from the towers and battle
ments, producing an effect indescrib'
ably magnificent. There are four grand
entrances to the palace, through which
spectators pass to the labyrinth oi
apartments, viewing the magical effect
Of the solid crystal walls.
While these preparations for the car
niyal season we're in progress the for
nation Of participating clubs was taken
in hand and the following appeared in
the procession upon the opening Of the
st. Paul winter carnival Monday even.
ing, February 1st: