The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-09-11

tolls II has thirteen banks with com
bined capital of about two and one-half
million dollars and a surplus of S250,000.
In addition to these are numerous trust
companies, representing large aggregate
Of capital. One of these, the Union Loan
& Trust Co., in which Montpelier people
are heavily interested, is the largest con-
Germ of the kind in the state, having paid
in capital Of one million dollars. The
amount expended for public and private
improvements during the year 1888 was four
and one-half million dollars. The sales Of
real estate for the past four months of the
present year foot up the enorm us sum of
over five million dollars and there is a
steady rise in values all the time-no erratic
boom but healthy rise to correspond
with its growth as it has at present at
tanned to city of over 10000 people. 1t has
over forty churches supported by all de-
nominations, with about the same number
OF schools, which speaks volumes for the in
telligence of its citizens. 1t also supports
twelve newspapers, four of which are dalies.
The source of all this thrift and enterprise
is the surrounding country comprising mil
lions OF acres of the most fertile land have
ever seen. / have been in nearly every
Western state on both sides of the Rockies
and i pronounce western Iowa, eastern
Nebraska and southern Dakota the most
desirable farming region | have ever seen.
This city has an agricultural wealth be-
hind it which no other place within my
knowledge possesses 1t has live progress
sive business men possessed by few cities.
In proof of this statement we have but to
mention their yearly construction of corn
palace " in which to exhibit the cOuntry's
agricultural products. In 1888 the cost of
the palace was 100000, and the present year
the expenditure is nearly 100000 for the
same purpose. The building is 2l0 feet in
length and 100 feet wide. The extreme
height of the main tower is 1856 feet. The
highest balcony intended for visitors as a
place of observation is 143 feet above
the street grade Standing here one
locks down on the highest steeples,
and view Of the surrounding cOun-
try is obtained, which to an Eastern per-
son is truly magnificent and must be seen
to he appreciated From various points and
angles rise seventeen turretS from which
float as many flags. In its construction
there have been used one million feet of lum-
Der. One hundred men have been en-
ployed since August 9TH and have just com
pleted the outside wood work, all of which
is to be covered with ears of corn split in
their center and nailed in close proximity,
literally covering its entire outside surface.
The corn used is of four colors, red, white
yellow and purple, besides variety known
here as "squaw corn" having mixed colors.
The corn is to be so arranged as to form
very pretty designs, which at a little dis
lance look like real Mosaic or paintings.
There is very little plain design to be seen
on the whole exterior. The roof with some
of its corners and gables is covered with
corn, oats and wheat in the stalk which
adds largely to the effect. To complete
these outside and inside decorations will re-
quire the continued service of the above
named one hundred men up to the day set
for its opening to the public, September ODD
In addition to these labors, the more orna-
mental decoration inside is done by the vol
untary aid of the ladies of this city. When
completed the palaces entire inside flooring
| will hn ftIl .an1 -t,tl .f
surrounding country, forming one of the
most beautiful agricultural displays that it
is easy to conceive. The corners of all the
| principal streets are spanned by gas pipes
with thousands of jets, forming all sorts of
striking designs and effects. All this has
been done by voluntary contribution, and it
is an index of the energy and public
spirit which seems to pervade the whole
| population. In order that it may be seen
| by the people of Eastern and Middle States,
arrangements have been made with all the
railroads running west from Chicago to
carry for half fare on certain days: and
am informed by j. U. Mahony the gentle
manly secretary, that he is in receipt of in
formation from the Western Passengers AS
ISOLATION that should there be disposition
on the part of goodly number of persons
| from any one point TO avail themselves of
the opportunity to visit this country and see
| its vast resources, that half rates can he OBJ
tanned by application to the general ticket
| agent of any important western trunk line.
| would earnestly advise the many people
about Montpelier who are so heavily inter-
ested in the many banking institutions of
this city TO take two weeks and visit this,
one OF the most flourshing cities in the
| West. Please excuse the length of this
| communication, but there is so much crowd
ing on ones mind in attempting to describe
it that it is hard to do it justice in even so
| long letter as this. a. o. CUMMINs.
Sioux City, Iowa, September l, 1889