The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-17
CORRESPONDENCE
Columbian Exposition.

CHICAGO, July 10th, 1891.
Editor Bdnner:--July I'd, 1891, found
me on the grounds of Jackson Park to
see the first stake driven for the Worlds
Fair buildings. A swarthy Swede, six
footer, John Severson by name, did the
driving. This was the actual beginning
of the Mines and Mining building, which
will seemingly be the first structure fin
ished. Hundreds of on-lookers were
present to witness this beginning. All
day the men were busy unloading lum-
Der and tools. As the heavy beams
would ''thumpn on the ground the men
working in the vicinity would look up
and say, ''started at last" Contractor
Chapman was on the ground superin-
tending the unloading. 1--WE are the
first TO start building after al" said Mr..
Chapman to the reporter; "Just as soon
as all our stakes are driven and the men
assigned to their departments we will go
right ahead. How long it will take to
erect this building | cannot tell, but II
nothing hinders we will work very fast
and I'll guarantee it will be up long be-
fore it is needed"
A force of thirty men was hard at
work driving stakes, and the "thud,
thudn of their heavy sledges could be
lOI ~ UlOCk away OaA HCnbOAo
have been hired, and altogether the
scene at jackson Park July I'd, was a
busy one.
Work on one or two other buildings
will begin very soon. The Kansas
Worlds Fair managers have adopted a
plan whereby their treasury may be
enriched and at the same time decora-
tons for their state building may be OBJ
tanned. Prizes of $40 for fine samples of
wheat, rye, oats, and other grains and
grasses done up in bundles eight inches
in diameter will be offered. As every
known variety of cereals and grasses will
be entered, the management will have an
abundance of material. One-half will be
entered for premiums at the Exposition
and the remainder will be used for dec
Grating the building. "Quite schemeP'
At the meeting of the Illinois Board of
the Worlds Fair Commission in the
Sherman House this week, most of the
time was taken up in discussing the ex-
tent to which the several committees
could go on making contracts and incur
ring expense. 1t seemed to be the opin-
ion of many present that the commission
should instruct the different committees
as to the limit of the expense they might
incur. Another faction thought the diff
ferent committees should ascertain the
amount of money needed and report
thereon at the next meeting. A motion
was made to cover the latter idea The
commission has S6S0,000 at its disposal
to expend in the different departments.
Other States are making preparation
for the great fair, their commissions be-
ing on the ground. Things begin TO-.
look like business and in the near future
millions will be expended in buildings
the sight of which will astOnish the most
incredulous.
What is my native State, Vermont, do
ing? If permitted to live to see this
wonderful exhibit l shall expect to see
some of the best specimens of cheese,
butter, and maple sugar, as well as many
other productions that will challenge the
world, for / have some knowledge of
what this little State can do. She is
very quiet about what she does or can
do, but when the time comes for a
demonstration she is "there' every time.
My mouth waters now for that sweet
butter which | know is made in Yer
mont. There can be no better between
the two oceans.
This city will be filled with thousands
from Vermont who have never before
seen it, and expect hundreds will be so
astonished that they will not want to re-
turn to the mountains and valleys Of that
beautiful State-and beautiful-it is.
With best wishes for the BANNER and
its readers, remain,
Yours truly,
w Z. SHELDON.