The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-06-04
be proper place, and that may be
the chosen spot for the display.
LRTTERS FROM ALASKA.

| hiSu OAiOidl tCU dtlcI
his western trip was to authorize the
establishment Of mail service with
Alaska. Little by little, yet very
steadily we are penetrating that vast
tract on our outermost border, and
coming generations will rejoice in in
eXhaustible resources and almost linn
itless domain in this grand and grow
ing country, OF which we of this nine
tenth century little dream. The
North American Commercial company
has been awarded the contract, and
will put on line of steamers running
from San Francisco TO Unalaska,
touching all intermediate points, SAID
service to be inaugurated July l. Here
tofore these people have had no means
of communication with the United
States except by chance sailing YES
sci, and living in Alaska meant be
ycnd the bounds of civilization Una
laska is 2i00 miles from Port Townsend
and 1900 miles from Sitka. which will
give one faint idea of the area of this
immense territory.
THE NEW NATIONAL CHAUTAUQUA.
Some one has said that Thought
| full minds are more and more inclined
to regard Washington as great uni
vers,ty of science, art. literature so
ciety aud government" A grand aid
to the scaling of intellectual heights is
offered in the plan and purposes of the
Glen Echo chautauqua, sketch of
which NAV not prove wholly uninter'
esting to THE STATEsMAN's readers.
Less than two years ago two enter
prising business men of our city
| Messrs. Edwin and Edward Baltzley,
prospecting for land about the out
| lying hills that encircle the nations
capita opened their eyes to the beauty
and variety of natural scenery along
the upper Potomac, and invested in a
large tract lying along the river front
for Several miles. After few months
Mrs. S. B. Jennings, who has been ac-
lively engaged in Chautauqua work
from its very beginning, CHANGED to see
this ground and at once, with proph
etic vision. seeing the grand possibili
ties it held, suggested to the brothers
Baltzley the idea of planting a sum
mer univers ty" in their beautiful glen
Instantly the suggestion was accepted
by these noble men whose hearts are
filed with the desire so use their am
pie means in the uplifting of mankind.
Eighty acres and cash subscription
of $1,000 was offered for the purpose
Speedily an association was formed,
the incorporators being men of wide
experience in business and intellectual
spheres. A charter was secured max
ing provision for the expenditure OF
81, 900, 900 ip the construction of college
| buildings, lecture halls. academy OF
fine arts, school for physical culture, q
board of trustees selected to conduct
| the business affairs, q chancellor
chosen and Glen Echo ChGutauqua
was established beyond doubt. Today
more than 600 men, machinists
masons and carpenters are busily al
work, and out of natures wild AND
rugged grandeur architecture
symmetry and beauty are developing
as though by magic power. June II
! is fixed for opening day Of the assem-
bly, and will be grand occasion. TIL
4 Marine band will discourse its sweetes
strains and brilliant speakers will oC
n cupy the platform.
i Glen Echo is located on the Condui
road, four miles beyond the city an
less than two miles this side of tina
wonderful Cabin John bridge, whic
is spanned by the largest single arc
in the world. The electric road ha
its terminus near the entrance to tn
grounds-the Gate of Gold. On tn
heights to the right stands the mag
nificent residence of Mr.. Edwin BaltL
ley, built of white stone. and with it
! domes and towers looks like som
famed castle on the Rhine. Dow
frou this bluff a dsshing stream ha
cut its way through the rocky bed an,
sings along through the glen song O
! the upland free. This glen seems t.
have been specially formed by natur
for the erection of the grand amphi
tbeater, a building of colossal proper
tions. Potomac granite is the mate
rial Of which it is constructed, quarry
face laid i'm rough cement. Tn
! building is a complete circle, 200 fee
ia diameter, three tiers of column
supporting its massive iron roof. TIL
platform reaches almost to the cente
with seating capacity of 800; a leve
area of sixty feet surrounds this, an,
beyond this the seats rise in terrace
almost to the top of the entrance arch
. Eight thousand people can be accom-
mocated in the opera chairs which
will be placed on these terraces, an,
electricity vial light the magnifcen
auditorium. The stream which flow
under the building viii be spanne,
by rustic bridge within the auditor
iunl, and underneath one acre will b
arranged as grotto, which will ais,
be lighted by electricity; the waite
will be utilized in working the CRANE
chorus organ at the back of the speak
ers' platform.
Across the stream "Minnehahan ant
over the Heidelberg road, On a buI
overlooking the river, stands the Hal
d of Philosophy, and opposite on tn
4 eastern sideof the Glen is the Academ.
of Fine Arts, both magnificent build
ing of Potomac granite, with tower
and dOmes OF artistic proportion ant
design. Other buildings will follow
these, for the very character of tn,
structures now erected demonstrat,
that this is no ephemeral BOOM" bu
an undertaking that will grow, ant
"Glen Echo" echoes will be hear(
Throughout our land. Building lot
are held at moderate price, and som,
cottages are promised this year. Tents
j haUa hapn pitobad for tho Sooommada