Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-09-04
THE MAGIC CITY
WHICH Has SPRUNG UP ON THE SHORE OF
LAKE MICHIGAN.
The Present Aspect Of the Great Worlds Fair-HOw
to Reach the Grounds and How They Look.
The West Virginia State Building
sD.etal Correspondence orms Rsqstsr.

CHICAGO, September Even OeIOre
the pilgrim has fairly entered the con-
fines of this great capital Of the Occi-
dent, he is strongly impressed by the
magnitude of the Worlds Fair prepa-
rations. From distance Of at least
eight miles one sees the beautiful
dome of the Administration building
and the mighty roof of that gigantic
mass Of architecture, the Liberal Arts
building, looming into the air, attesting
from afar off the majestic proportions
Of the enterprise, and as the distance
between the spectator aud jackson
Park grows less dome succeeds dome
and roof line follows upon roof line, In
termingled with pinnacles, towers and
minerets, until, at the very boun-
daries Of the park, as one energies
from between the clustering buildings
of the city and the countless shade
trees which fill with lines of green every
avenue of approach, the whole magnln-
cent spectacle bursts upon the beholder,
and compels pause while the height
and breadth and extent OF the scene is
taken in. As yet nothing Is complete
neither buildings, nor grounds, nor
waterways, nor decorations-and yet
the scene presented can be likened 10
nothing so much as the fancifuI con-
ceptions OF the unknown authors OF the
Arabian Nights or the wild imaginings
of w. r. Bradshaw in Atvatavar.
When all that is in contemplation has
been done-when the buildings have
been completed, decorations all in place
and grounds fully embelished-when
flowers, and grass and plants and trees
have lent their identifying aid to the
works Of builder and architect and en-
glneer-when fountains splash and the
flags Of all the world are flung to the
breeze, and the sun is glancing from the
bright waters OF the canals and Lagoon,
filed as they will be with all sorts of
craft, from the gondola Of the Venetian
to the kayac OF the Esquimaux-when
the exhibits are all In place, and build
ings and walks and drives are swarm
ing with the cosmopolitan multitude
to be brought here from all the inhab-
table portions of the earth-then there
will be a scene presented on the shores
of prosodic Lake Michigan uneQualled
in interest, in picturesqueDess, In the
wonderful, the marvellous and the beau
tiful, by any upon the pages OF recorded
history, and one which will amply re-
pay the longest journey TO see. The
promises made by Chicago were great,
but they have been amply justified in
the fulfilment, and not only the people
of the Western Metropolis and or Hill
nois, but of all the States in the union,
can with justice feel proud OF the sue
cess so far achieved.
One of the things Of 'interest to the
stranger in Chicago is, how can reach
the grounds quickly, cheaply and with
a minimum of inconvenience? From
the business center of the city there are
four avenues of approach. One can
leave the foot OF Van Buren, street every
half hour by boat, for 25 cents, and be
landed right on the Fair Grounds. The
steamers are large and well appointed,
the time made is excellent, and the SER
vice will shortly be very greatly I'm
proved. AT Van Buren, street an im-
mense new dock, two acres In extent,
designed wholly for the Worlds Fair
traffic, is. almost completed, and this
will be q popular route. By the Illinois
Central railroad, from the foot OF Van
Buren, street, one can reach the Fifty
seventh street or SiXty-third street
entrances to the Fair in twenty
five minutes at cost or 25
cents for the round trip. This road is
going TO catch the great bulk OF travel
to and from the city, and is making the
most extensive preparations. For miles
the tracks are being elevated so as to
abolish all grade crossings, each street
being spanned by a handsome bridge;
scores OF new locomotives and hundreds
Of passenger cars are being built, new
stations erected and new tracks laid
down. A third route cheaper than
either of the others named, but involv-
ing some wear OF shoe leather, is to take
the "alley elevated" road at Congress
street, ride as far as Fifty-third street
for nickle, and thence walk to Jack
son Park, distance Of about mile. A
fourth route, the most expensive OF all,
but also the most satisfactory, is to take
4 carriage from any OF the leading
hotels, supposing the reader
TO be quartered at such,
and drive Ito Jackson Park via Mich
gan avenue boulevard, Garfield
avenue and Washington Park.
Reaching the Fair grounds, say at
The Fifty-seventh street entrance, you
find the way already lined with those
adjuncts OF American ex-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of fruit, ''soft"
drinks, refreshments, etc. You also
find the entrance guarded by a small
army of Fair attendants, logged out In
D somewhat theatrical uniform. Twenty
i've cents admission is demanded and
paid and you find yourself passing
through q turnstile between more
guards and to the grounds, to be at
once saiuted by cries of This way for a
"Only twenty-five cents for
q tour of the groundsr Everything
explained while you ride!" etc. You
avoid these people, II you are wise. pur-
chase q guide book for a dime, call
private carriage If you are accompanied
by lady, or start off on foot, If you are
alone, and at once plunge into sight
seeing no TO your eyes.
& Entering the grounds by the Fifty
seventh street entrance, and turning TO
the left the visitor finds himself at once
In the midst Of the State buildings,
which cover q large srea at one end Of
the Park, aud almost the first building
approached is the handsome edifice
erected by the State of West Virginia.
1t stands amid the stately and hand
some edifices erected by such States
as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland,
and others of the central Eastern
group, and loses nothing by comparison
with the surroundings. The West
Virginia building is under roof,
and while still far from finished,
is assuming shape rapidly, and
Miller rannrts that II