The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-09-26
lsioux City Iowa speciall


lsioux City qowal speciall
The second annual corn-palace festival
opened in this city under most propitious
auspices. The streets were thronged with
visitors. and the city was ablaze in its holi-
day attire of maize. The brightness and
spendor OF the palace OF Mondamin out
shinSs that of 1887 as the MONDAY sun out
shines the gentle twilight. The idea and
the working out thereof is distinctly original
with Sioux City. and she claims the honor
OF being the only corn-palace city of the
world. The palace is 150xl50 feet in size.
and occupies every inch of quarter block
OF ground. AT the southwest corner or
main entrance rises the main tower 10 q
height of 175 feet, while 10 the east and
north are Norman towers which support
the Moorish pavilions. AT the apex of the
main pavilion rises Flagstaff 10 a height
from the ground of nearly two hundred
feet. From each corner of the pavilion
rise smaller flag stats, from which float
beautiful streamers bearing the words
Iowa" Dakota" Nebraska" and Min
nesota." In the main tower there is wind
ing stairway, and from the top a splendid
view of the city can be obtained. Between
the small towers are beautiful fountains in
the center of miniature landscapes. made as
natural as life with green, grassy sods,
messy rocks and dwarf trees, with a silyery
rivulet flowing past
Inc great DOuy OF the OUTSIDE is covered
with ears Of corn, sawed lengthwise through
the center and nailed with two brads with
the Hat or cob side next 10 the walls. To re-
heve the, monotony different colors are
used, and white, red speckled, purple. and
golden-yello ears were obtained. The eX-
terror is laid off into panels. which are
plainly marked 10y the varied colors Of the
great Western product. Next TO the ground
is wainscoting OF cOrnstalks, stripped Of
their leaves and packed close together. The
entrances, windows, ETC., are also bordered
with cornstalks prepared in the same way.
The railing OF the towers is also covered
with cornstalks, and the long stalks of
grain--wheat and oats-while the capstones
OF the turrets are represented by the bushy
heads of millet, bearded oats, and
sorghum seed. Springing from the inmost
corners OF the towers TO the apex corner
OF the roof Of the main pavilion are light
festoons, or, TO use the architectural term,
lying buttresSes, covered with full SheaVes
OF golden grain, and imparting an effect of
masslveness to the structure. The roof lines
are tremendously irregular, sweeping from
the central pavilion 10 the exterior as the
several front elevators require. The broken
and irregular outline was intentional in or
der TO give a maximum surface for decora-
ton. The apertures in the towers are spa
cious, generally of an arched style along
the upper sources and entl ances but angu-
lar in the ground course. This purpose was
also TO give a variety OF outline for decora-
tive purposes. Thus. while the structure is
OF composite and original architectural
order, the plan is admirably adapted to the
uses for which il was designed.
In addition to the plans of decoration fur
nished by the artist, many original and
unique designs are worked out by the dec
orators themselves. Panels are laid out and
covered with variegated ears, mostly sawed
lengthwise, but some cut crosswise Of the
ear. forming bright rosettes. about an inch
thick and of the diameter OF the corn ear.
single slender nail through the center of
the cob holds each piece in place, and many
fanciful designs are thus made. Signs and
notices are made. the borders being stalks
denuded OF blades and ears. interviewer
with golden wheat-st and somber-col-
ored sorghum heads. The letters are made
by fastening the corn rosettes as above and
very gorgeous style Of block-letter is pro-
duced. The windows OF all the towers are
latt1ced with corn ears strung on wires
Some are purple, some are red, others yell
low and still others white. giving that va
riety of coloring which is at once the charm
and novelty of the general effect.
Viewed from the distance of a block or
two the trifiing irregularities of detail are
softened and magnificent blending ofcolor
is presented 10 the eye. The prevailing
shade. Of course, is yellow, while the red
and white of the corn ears. the brown Of the
sorghum, and the dead green of the corn
blades relieve the outward surface of mo-
notony which might ordinarily have been
expected, while the varying heights of the
salient outlines add a charm of perspective
with lights and shadows, that combine 10
produce "a singularly beautiful and striking
effect.
The interior of the palace is vertically
a realm OF enchantment. Under the bright
ness shed by half a hundred electric lights
after nightfall IL presents an appearance
that rivals Fairyland. From the rough
plank walls, ungainly posts, and a high
vaulting dome OF irregular outline and un-
slightly rough surface has been created
bower OF beauty never before euualed i'm
any cline. And all this marvel was worked
without the aid of those adiuncts Of decora-
tive arts which have heretofore been
deemed essential TO the plans of skilled
artisans There is no tinsel or fine material,
no precious metals, no use of costly pig
ments. An ear of yellow corn. a handful
of prairie grass. a bunch OF unsightly weeds.
Il wisp of golden straw-these are the ma
tcrials used
Scattered about the walls are appropriate
notices curiously wrought with corn and
other field grains and grasses. The rough
posts that support the galleries are covered
with corn and changed into Ionic. Doric
Gothic. and Corinthian columns. while
others are laden with bouquets Of tinted
grasses. The ceilings under the galleries
are ornamented with devices that can not
be described in words so as 10 convey a
suggestion of their appearance. Land
scapes, maps, flags, notices, a music staff
with corn stalk notes, emblems of huS-
bandry, and quotations significant Of the
fertility of the country are everywhere
shown. A seemingly infinite variety Of de-
signs is presented TO the admiring eye. and
the originality of the decorations is truly
amazing.
The palace is lighted by electricity. and is
fitted with appliances for fighting fire and
has a perfect system OF sewerage.
The exhibits by counties. townships
towns. and individuals are far in advance Of
anything ever seen al State and county
fairs.
In addition to the decorations o. the pal
ace proper, the entire city j. in holiday
attire. On all the principal street intersec-
tons in the business portion great gas-pIpe
arches have been erected. each bearing
three hundred colored- glass globes. Nearly
every business house and many private
residences are beautifully decorated with
corn and cereals Ina a multiplicity 81 designs
that bid fair 20 eclipse even the palace it
self. From a simple veneering 81 corn in
the ear 10 a complex and carefully drawn
plan of artistic adOrnment. every building is
made 10 honor the event Of the second an
nual festival OF King Corn.
The palace Is built by AN incorporation
known as the Sioux City Corn Palace Fx-
position Company. having an authorized
capital Of S250.0O0. the idea being 20 make
the institution permanent one. The pal
ace has cash In the neighborhood OF SGOOOO
and over fifty thousand bushels OF corn and
grain have been used. Already there is "A