St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-26
Valuable Oddities Once in the
Possession Of Dead Ce-
lebpities.
A Fine Place for Lady Wis
itops to Feast Their
Pretty Eyes.

Vim HcENA1 had most de-
- 0NR cided belief in
81 TE = lI7r4T woman's ability
s4 $500 to accomplish and
make blooming success of any project
Which she takes in hand. The idea was
to bring together collection of such
rare and antique articles as could be
found in so new and progressive a city
as this, where the present and future,
rather than the past, are matter of
much interest. Gradually the plan was
altered so as to make the display include
an exhibit of inventions by women; a
department of decorative work; an in
dustrial display from the wOmen's eX-
change of ST. Paul and Minneapolis.
All OF these now occupy large corner
on the second floor of the Exposition
building.
Mrs. o. A. Pray, Mrs. C. NJ. Holbrook
and Mrs. Mark Lewis formed themselves
into an advisory board at the start and
endeavored to create a widespread in
terest among women of all classes. That
they were successful is shown by the
number and kind of exhibits, not only
from this city, but from all sections of
the country.
From the early part of this month
down to the present time corps of la
dies have been kept busy correspond
ing With people in various parts of the
country, who take an interest in such
matters. Then to transform bare raft
erS and empty space into artistic depart
mentS has been an arduOuS task. After
the project was well under way, it was
surprising to note the number of ladies
and gentlemen who were ready to ac-
lively engage in the work.
THE EXHIBIT THIS YEAR
is intended only as foundation for a
much more extended display next year.
Each department has been made a
pleasant background for the articles
contributed. The rafters and ceilings
are covered with hangings of old gold
cloth. Heavily carved pillars and arches
have been brought from portions of the
for the Pottery and Minneapolis Wom-
ans exchange department. The hang
lngS in these departments simulate an
oriental baZar. The decorations in each
department have been chosen with ref
erence to article exhibited, the contrast
of col0rS making harmonious whole.
An olive green facade. deeply fringed,
extends across the southeast corner of
the building. The words, department
of Women's Work." in heavy gilded
letters, make an attractive sign.
The antique department., under the
management of Mrs. Hill, forms one of
the most pleasant lettering places for
visitors. The room is all exact copy of
the typical New England kitchen or liv-
ing room of the past century. The bare
floor is covered with braided rugs, after
the pattern which used to be the pride
of old fashioned thrifty housekeepers.
A peculiarly of the room is that all of
its furniture and appointments consist
OF articles at least century old, and
few articles can boast
THREE TIMES THAT AGE.
The windows are hung with white
curtains. some deliberately embroidered,
others decorated with transfer figures
in chlntz. These are applied just as the
same work is done by the artistic lady
OF to-day, only that the figures are often
quite grotesque in color and form; but
of course every lady peers at them and
says, "How lovely! How 1 wish they
were mine"
An old time brick fireplace has been
built and bricked, SO as to form an an
propriate background for shelves filed
with all sorts of odd shaped dishes, fash
Toned both in silver and china. One cup
and saucer, in delicate tints of pink and
gold. is said to have been in use since
1850. High up over the fireplace is a
bronze medallion of Washington, said
to be the most exact likeness of the hero
in existence,
A full set of andirons, kettle and
crane hang in the fireplace and it is in
tended to have blazing fire of oak logs
every evening.
In one corner of the room are shelves
filled with antique bric-a-bric of all sorts.
The greatest curiosity to the casual
nj rnr.i IL, hac- ,aI,1 l.
lieved to be over 200 years old. 1t is
deliberately carved at the base and the
legs simulate tigers claws. This
chest came from Ireland originally. 1t
contained some patchwork and large
brush made of broom corn, when it
came into the present owners hands. A
legend claims that while the broom re-
mains within the chest the house where
tits will never be DESTROYED by fire.
The brush is left in the chest, so it may
serve as sort of maScOtte for the EX-
position building. The questions asked
by visitors about that chest ought to
make the bones Of its original owners
turn in their graves. Many visitors
think it would make a capital wood box,
while others would turn it into table
or desk.
The old clock is another interesting
antique. 1t is said to have been
owned by John Knox in 1915. 1t is es-
tiinated to be worth about $1,000 on ac-
count of its age. 1t stands about six
feet high, has an open face, surrounded
by pictures of the old poets. The gilded
hands move as regularly over its face
and keep as correct time as though it
but recently came from the makers
hands. Inside the door is photograph
of the original owners. The case is
brightly vanished and many visitors
are rather skeptical about its age, be-
cause it looks so like product of a
modern relic factory. But, of course,
those must be people who have no rev.
erence for age, when represented by a
clock.
A NEW ENGLAND KITCHEN
would hardly be complete without its
spinning wheel, and sure enough there
is a flax wheel and the old lady who
! owns it, spins flax for the amusement OF
jyisitors just as busily as was her Gus
/ tom in girlhood days. She wears a
quaint black gown. with white lace cap
and kerchief, and in spite of having
lived nearly century, is still in good
health and tells many interesting sto-
ries of early days.
A pair of tapestry curtains, long at
one side of the room, and are said to be