The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-02-11

Some three months ago, perhaps, the
idea of holding winter carnival at St.
Paul was not sooner suggested than it
was acted upon, and receiving the
sanction of the Chamber of Commerce
the project at once commanded the
interest of the public to such degree
that for quite a space it has seemed as
if the entire population, male and te-
male, had united as a committee of the
whole to contribute to its grandeur and
success. Very soon after the proposal
was made for a winter carnival will
an ice palace and attendant sports the
following official organization was
effected and vigorous preparations for
the festivities begun.
President, George R. Finch, LIST vici
President, George Thompson. End V,c'
President, W; A. Van siyke, Secretary
Hanson, Treasurer, Albert scheffer
Executive Committee: The above Off
cers, and Messrs. ID. R. Noyes, II. c. Ives
and John Summers.
Board Of Directors: George R.. Finch
W: A. Van slyke, Albert Shelter, Alvaren
heimer. W: H. Dixon, H. c. Ives, +. B
Clark, B. DuPuy, George Thompson, ]. W
McClung, A. s. fal!madge, H =. Fairchili
T. L. Schumacher, L. n. Maxfeld, J. L.
Odel', W. H. Fisher, l.. +. Kimbau, John
Summers.
1t was at once decided to erect an
Ice Palace, establish a Carnival Hall,
provide Tobosgan slides, an ice rink
for skating, polo and curling tourna
ments, q 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
Empress Anna of Russia. near the
river Neva, in 174l. 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
tons was builded on the Neva. The
idea was introduced into America; BY
the enterprising citizens of Montreal,
in 1883, and a palace was erected on
the park adjoining the Windsor Hotel.
In 1884 another palace, more ornate
than the first, was built, aud on the
last week in January, 1885, grand
carnival was held there with still
more elaborate ice edihce as the CEN
trail attraction.
After deciding upon carnival grounds
for which Central Park was secured,
600 feet north and south by 700 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
18th 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 a truth
ful illustration accompanies this article
Is one hundred and forty-four feet in
length by one hundred and twenty feet
in width, with grand. massive, GEN.
trail tower attaining an altitude of one
hundred feet. This tower is provided
with oattlements and embrasures, and
the architecture throughout is of the
pure medieval type The main tower
Is defended by an 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 5000 blocks of ice were required
in its construction. The interior is
lighted at night by about so large cleo.
trio lights and on the occasion of the
OWL AAAAR u U0O VnA0CO W Iu0 0Iuy
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 OF
apartments, viewing the magical effect
of the solid crystal walls.
While these preparations for the carl
nival season were 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 LIST:
FIRST DIVISION.
Platoon of Police.
Commander of Carnival Clubs and Aids
First Regiment.
Honored Guests in Carriage.
st. George Snowshoe Club, DR.. Macdonald
u.. Commanding or
Waoouta Toboggan Club, Capt. W. H.
Adams. Gentlemen and Ladies'
scandinavian Ski Club, Col. G. Brandt:
Windsor Toboggan Club, Capt. J. H. Un-
derwood. Gentlemen and
Ladies.
SECOND DIVISION.
Capt. William Dawson, Commanding.
Sons Of Veterans Drum Corps.
North Star Toboggan Club, Osps 3. G.
Wright