St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-20
poNALDsoX,s OPENING.
A Big Crowd Views the Novelties
in the Glass Block,

The annual spring opening and re-
ception at Donaldson's Glass block last
evening, far surpassed anything in that
line ever attempted in Minneapolis. At
o'clock the doors were thrown open,
and in less than ten minutes the big
building at Sixth and Nicollet was
thronged with people, who filled every
inch of space from the basement to the
fourth floor. The crowd kept coming
and going, and a conservative eSti-
mate places the number of visitors
at 10000, although many of those
who saw the crowd say that the number
of people who passed through the doors
between and 10 O'Clock was fully TO-
600. The large show windows looked
their best, with the goods artlstleally
arranged, and one of them, which was
trimmed with flowers, was indeed
work of art. The decorations were
elaborate but IN good taste, and the
hundreds of Japanese lanterns, the diff
ferent cOlored lights, pOtted plants,
flags of all nations. canopy OF rich laces
and the ever changing crowd, made
pretty Kaleidoscope picture that
once seen is not soon to be
forgotten. Almost concealed behind
tropical plants the full Danz orchestra
was stationed on the balcony leading to
the second floor, and during the even
ing diScourSed popular airs as only the
DAM can. Everybody about the i'm
mense establishment was at their best
and W. S. Donaldson may well feel
proud of the crowd which visited his
place of business and the complimentary
remarks which were passed upon his
pluck and enterprise. The crowd was
- n
City, but people came from all over the
state. st. Paul sent large delegation,
while here and there could be seen the
blue uniform of the Grand Army vet
eran invariably accompanied by the
female members of his family.
The immense basement which is
given up to household furnishings pre-
scented many new and attractive feat
ureS. among which were gems in art
pottery, rich cut glass of elegant and
delicate designs, novelties in Haviland
china and the thousand and one things
only a good housewife can think of and
which are found so useful in every we'll
regulated home, no matter whether 1t
be in a hut or palace.
On the first floor was shown real
duchess and point laces with the prices
ranging all the way from S15 to $50 per
yard, new silks in the latest patterns
and colors and all the new styles of
patterns of spring cashmere Ombre,
which is becoming so popular, was also
on exhibition. Besides these there
were many different styles of
lace handkerchiefs. dainty things
which looked too pretty for use, but
serviceable withal. Thousands of yards
of all kinds, cOlOrS and quality OF rib
bOns, and paraSolS of unique and strik-
ing design. An extensive line of elab-
crate French embrOideries, not imita-
tons. manufactured in some of the
Eastern mills, but real French, import
ed by Donaldson, made more than one
lady cast envious glances towards the
counters upon which they were shown.
A garden scene Illuminated with
vari-colored lights and with the fence
entwined with roses and vines occupied
a prominent place on the second floor.
But the millinery department, which
covers the entire length of the builuing,
was a revelation to the lady visitors.
Here over 1000 trimmed hats and bon
nets were shown, and while it was the
largest it was also the most complete
and valuable millinery display ever
made in the West and only once
eQualed but never surpassed in
America. All of the European mod
lstes were represented. Eugene Pari-
set. Linn Faulkner and other artists in
millinery have their choicest gems on
the racks; besides there were Donald
sons exclusive shapes. showing many
novelties which are bound to become
popular. All sorts of hat trimmings
arrayed in unique designs came in tor
their share of praise. But the hats and
bonnets-they are simply Undesirable.
Then there were hundreds of
embroidered French underware. wraps.
Jackets. c0nnemaras, tea gowns,
accordion pleated skirts, and chill
dren's goods for all ages. In the
upholstery department, which occupies
a part Of the floor, there was an elab-
crate display of pOrtiers, Irish point
and Nottingham point lace curtains,
fringes, etc.
The third floor was given up to car
pets and parlOr suits. In the carpet de-
partment great rolls of Wilton veIvets.
BiglOW's. and other popular marks were
shown, besides an almost endless
variety of rugs and art squares.
In the parlor suits there are
many new designs, which must be
seen to be appreciated. The fourth
floor was entirely devoted to the display
of chamber suits and office furniture. of
which there is an almost endless va
riety. To say that the visitors were
pleased would hardly suffice-they were
delighted, and the attendance at the
opening last evening is enough to guar
antee Mr.. Donaldson the expenditure of
time, energy and money so necessary to
insure success is appreciated by his Gus
toners.