Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-09-04
an.v. Int all are oyershadowed, in

beauty, but all are overshadowed. In
both regards, by the gigantic editce
now being erected by Illinois. This ouilo'
ing, at least three hundred feet square,
is surmounted by round tower oi
structural iron work fully two hundred
feet In height, by far the most conspic-
uous object in that portion OF the Park
devoted to the State buildings and those
of foreign countries.
The establishment and beautifying OF
the grounds is going forward with a ra-
pidity which is almost marvellous. Two
months ago the surroundings OF the va
rious buildings was one sea Of mud, OAR
rem of vegetation, and without the SEM
blance of walk or drive, If one may ex-
empt the corduroy-like roads OF pine
blanks, laid down in seemingly bot
tomless quicksand for the accommoda-
ton of the workmen and those engaged
in the transportation of material. With
in the space of sixty days decided
change has come about. Piles have
been driven along the edges OF thawater
ways and have been in turn concealed
by massive walls Of concrete, atop OF
which have been laid spacious Walks OF
the same enduring material, guarded oy
massive ratings. Miles OF concrete
roadways have been laid down. other
miles of by-walks constructed, and the
barren stretches OF mud have been con-
cealed beneath hundreds Of train loads
of rich mould brought from the woods,
which has in turn been transformed
into beds OF flowers, studded with orna-
mental trees or covered with acres OF
bright green sod. Hundreds OF men and
scores OF teams have been engaged Tor
weeks in this week, and another month
or two will see the most OF this
sort of thing completed, to the great ad-
vantage of the entire enclosure. Miles
of sewers have drained of the water,
and there will be no more repetitions OF
the dreary scenes of last June, when
the whole Fair seemed engulfed In
sea of mud, and when everyone was In
momentary despair at the dismal sitna-
tioa and the lack oil prospect for its
speedy betterment.
Down about the site or the Lagoon,
where typical Venitian scene is to
blossom out In all its splendor eight
months hence, a small army Of work.
men are rounding out the outlines OF
the deep bitches dug by the steam ex-
cavators, and they will be quickly fol-
lowed by gangs of pile drivers, masons,
etc. At one end OF the Lagoon score
Of carpenters are st work on the frame
work of the mechanism OF the gigantic
electric fountain, modelled upon that
which plays tri-weekly in Lincoln Park,
but much larger, and this will be one
of the great evening features Of the
Fair Most OF the groups OF statnary,
gigantic pillars, ETC., which are to adorn
this portion OF the grounds have
already been prepared and stand In
one or another Of the main buildings,
ready to be placed in position when
wanted, and the next sixty days Will
see the details completed. Near by, at
the lake end of the Lagoon, there Is to
be seen, in necessarily shallow water,
the brick reproduction Of one OF the
vessels of Uncle Sans new navy. The
first effect of brick walls for q man-of-
war is somewhat startling, but this
effect will soon disappear as the mater
ial named is hidden under imitation
iron plates, and when the work Is I'M
ished not even the Lord High Admiral
OF England could tell at a glance, or
even from q close inspection, whether
it Is a "sure-enough" ship or make
believe. The big wooden guns which
are to grace the turrets and sponsors
are now lying on the bank OF the lake,
and will be hoisted into position In a
short time. The smoke stacks have
already been shipped, and what little
rigging modern man-oi-war carries is
in place.
In my next letter I will have some
thing to say about the main buildings,
THAR condition onneorance. etc B.