Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-23
A GREAT EVENT AT CRESTON.
Formal Opening To tho Public of the
Blue Grass Palace.
A MOST IMPOSING STRUCTURE.
Addresses By Governors Larrabce
and Thayer-The City Throngcd
With Visitors From All Por-
tlons OF the State.
pottnMaItnmic DnY.

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CREsToN, Ia, August 22.-ISpecial Telc-
gram to THE BEE. The expression, "Corn
is King has no significance now in south
western Iowa, for blue grass holds absolute
and undisputed right of way. Creston
throughout has the appearance of n vast hay
field. Business houses, passenger trains,
hacks, carriages, 'pusses, men, women and
children are dccked with woven and twisted
blue grass and blue grass bouquets. A man
unacquainted with the occasion, If placed
unexpectedly in the midst of the throng
which to-day attended the opening of the
great and only blue grass palace, would
naturally conclude that the whole country
had gone to grass"
The blue grass palace was formally opened
and dedicated by Governor Larrabee to-day,
and the exposition is now open. The city Of
Creston, to whom must be allowed the honor
aud credit of this, the initial blue grass ex-
position of Iowa, is gaiy decked in holiday
attire and its elaborate public and private
decorations and illumination are u revelation
to the thousands who elbow their way
through the crowded streets. Arches of gas
pipe, upon which thousands OF coored glass
globes shine, are stretched around all the
principal streets and arise at corners in
graceful pyramids. Miniature palaces made
articles representing their owners line Of
trade blockade the walks on every corner.
To-day was Pottawattame day. and an ex-
curson tram from Council Bluffs arrived
early in the morning. An immense crowd
met them at the depot, and after the crowd
ceased cheering and Mayor Patterson had
welcomed them, the guests were driven to
the exposition grounds The palace was
formally dedicated by Governor Larrabee
immediately after their arrival Governor
Thayer, of Nebraska, also delivered very
pleasing address at the close of Governor
Larrabee's remarks.
The palace itself a magnificent and i'm
posing structure, towering 1l6 feet above the
ground and spreading its majestic proper
tons over 10000 square feet of the fair
grounds with a floor space of l6500 feet
Rising from the midst of waving corn fields,
with background of rich foliage from the
woods beyond, while to the right is the
ellipse of the finest race course in Iowa, the
effect is beautiful and grand. Made entirely
of native blue grass and decorated with elab-
crate trimmings of all coiors, cereals and
tame grasses, the sheen of the variegated
grain wanes in the sunlight, while the pom
derous central dome thatched with ripe
grass, the corner towers and the clover laden
sides reflects picture of may colors, mas
sive strength and great beauty.
The interior decorations have been arts
ticaly, conceived aud elaborately ex.
Creston, who enthusiastically took charge.
About half of the inside space has been par
titioned and apportioned for the use of the
different counties of southwest Iowa, viz:
Adair, Adams, Appanoose, Cass, Clark, De-
catur. Fremont, Lucas Madison, Mills,
Montgomery, Page, UDion, Warren and
Wayne, each of whom vie for supremacy in
the excellence of their agricultural products
and in the general results of husbandry.
The stalls for the different counties are ar
ranged around the walls while from the CEN
ter there is erected highly ornamented COL
umn of many stories, the second of which is
cn. ,ly..rr hn aNntr
modates the musicians. An artificial ceiling
under the dome covering the whole inside
space has been added, on which a local artist
has pictured agricultural and pastoral scenes
with fine effect. A commodious gallery run
ming entirely around exhibition hall affords
ample space for overflow exhibits and u de-
lightful promenade to observe the ever
changing scene beneath.
Each county has been assigned day and
the programme for the ensuing week will be
Friday Appanoose; Saturday, Madison aud
Adair; Monday, Page; Tuesday, Lucas;
Wednesday, Cass; Thursday, Decatur.
The exhibits of the different counties
in the league are marvellous and
beautiful This is PottaWattame
day. The second booth to the right
as you enter the palace is occupied by Potta-
Casper, J, d. Smith, r. Mckenzie, H. NJ.
Prouty, Mesdames l.. A. Casper and j. ID.
Smith and Miss Adde Smith. Their DIS
play consists Of the staple products OF vege-
tables, ram ana grasses. lhelr 1rult e&-
hibit is very fine Tbe "Pottawattamie
Chief" an Indian statue composed of apples,
is a novelty which attracts much attention,
as does a vegetable horse attached to
wagon load of various products. There is an
additional attraction in the shape of "Blue
Grass Widows" SO called by the committee
to avoid confusion with the numerous other
blue grass bellies who will doubtless be on
hand. Their cabbage head, weighing twenty
seven pounds, is doubtless the largest on the
grounds. Tomorrow will be Appanoose
county's day.