The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-12-27

The ice palaces of 1887 and 1888 linger in
the memories of those who witnessed their
glory as pleasant fancy like visions OF the
past. None can forget the triumph, the
sense of personal ownership, experienced
when the first ice palace stood complete more
beautiful than in their widest dreams the
projectors had eyer dared to anticipate.
Sydenham has its crystal palace, but
attractions thereof pale into insignii-
fiction of the Ice Kings abode 1t is how
ever, with the coming carnival rather than
those that are past that st. Paul has to
deal at present.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PALACE.
The location of the ST. Paul Ice Palace,
on the sands OF the west bank of
the Mississippi above Wabasha street bridge
will bring it to a popularity greater than
the preceding palaces have had, for it will be
easier of approach than if in Central Park,
will not be- hidden by buildings, and can be
seen for miles from the banks and bluffs of
the valley and the terraced hills behind them.
This level stretches along the river some
] 200 feet and is $50 feet in width at the
site of the palace. which is some 800 feet
above Wabasha bridge and so feet from
the bank of the first plteau.
The inclosing walls Of the palace are 3S
wall Is feet high, and the Manifestations on
the summit Over the portals and elsewhere
parts of the wall are carried higher Turrets
or towers strengthen nearly every angle Of
the structure. The main front is toward the
structure. The main front is toward the
southwest, and the portal thereof is APP
preached by q bridge 80 feet broad carried
Il feet above the sands on three arches of Il
feet span, under which storming parties or
professions may pass. The bridge Ia guarded
with gateway with flanking towers "a feet
high and curtain wall 30 feet high from the
bridge floor, which is level with the first
plateau and IA feet above the floors OF the
palace Passing through the main portal
from the bridge, grand stairways sweep down
to the right and left to the floor of the recep-
ton hall 56x9O feet in size. From this an
archway leads out under the stairs and por-
tai to the first archway of the bridge From
this hall the eye looks to the northwest down
a vista" 1870 feet long with arcades of ice
on either side and an arched ceiling OF pine
boughs frosted with natural jewels. At the
northeast of the reception hall the main
tower rises 40 feet square to q height of liz
feet, and at one angle of the tower stair
turret 20 feet in diameter rises 1872 feet.
Within the tower is the room of Borealis Rex,
with the throne on a dais reaching back into
domed semi-circular niche or apse.
The northerly quarter of the palace is tax
Ell up by the grand hall, ZIG feet wide and
$50 feet long, the arcade of one end opens to
the vista; the opposite end Coward Wabasha
bridge) has representation of 6, polar scene,
partly of ice and snow, but chiefly pictorial
upon canvass Sc feet long and 16 high.
Behind this, electric lamps will cause auroral
effects of light and color to be thrown upon
the canvass. At one side of this hall is an
octagonal tower % feet in diameter and 81
feet high, the lower portion being arcaded
tol nov, cfo md fho oQrf
q balcony from which full view OF the room
and contents may be enjoyed.
Passing across the vista smaller hall Is
found 5OxSS feet with western portal.
Returning to the reception hall the maze
may be entered. This is octagonal, 100 feet
in diameter and occupied by walls and devil
Gus passages between them. To him who
pears leading up to a balcony 10 feet wide
and 80 feet long and affording open proceed
ings in the three halls.
The PALACE is q, 1000 square feet in area,
34S feet long, ZIG feet wide, exclusive OF
bridge and gate towers which are 80 feet, or
total of 500 feet FROM the gate towers
on the plateau to the portal on the river
front.
The construction will require IL 900 tons
of ice, bulk equal to that of q wall 1 foot
thick, feet high and miles long.
FEATURES OF THE FROGRAMME.
It has already been decided to have Mon
tana and Dakota day. The street parades
will be made special feature of the carnival,
and for them floats about fifteen by twenty
Eve feet in size will be designed for each of
the Northwestern states and territories,
which will be emblematlc Of their peculiar re-
sources. In general way, the Minnesota
float will represent agriculture and stock
raising, Wisconsin, numbering; Dakota, agri-
culture. Montana, mining; Oregon, fruit, and
Washington, shipbuilding. st Paul will be
represented by a goddess reaching out her
hands to all The street illumination will be
done entirely by arc electric lights. The gas
pipe used formerly upon the streets will be
placed on Robert street bridge, and all the
,olored globes will be massed theTe, Ever
green decorations of various kinds will take
the place of the lights on Third street, and
will also be placed along Seventh street and
on the corners in other parts Of the city. Mr..
Van Slyke will exercise his talents as q de-
signer by getting up Polar bear to be con-
structed Of incandescent electric lamps, to
be put on the truss-work of the bridge. The
same general plan of the ice king, fire king
and the two assaults or stormings that has
prevailed in the past will be again followed.
The fireworks used in the stormings will be
more numerous and the set pieces more elab-
prate and on q larger scale than eve. ever before.