Feliciana sentinel., 1892-07-02
WORLDS FAIR CITY.
A Breezy Bit Of Gossip About
Things In tho Great Metropolis.

4 Breezy Bit Of Gossip About
Things In tho Great Metropolis.
Signs of Recent Progress-The New Alley
ell" Road and It's Enscts on tho Pepn-
lation-Norway's Contribution to the
Fair-A Beer War and Hts Results.
Especial Chicago Correspcndencav
A yoAr ago Chicago wds almost un-
known to the world at large. Twen-
ty years ago the news of the great
fire aroused the sympathies of the
world, but since that time people ont
side of the United States heard nothing
of Chicago or the great west, of which
it 10 only tho representative. People
abroad had time to forgetit. Pride may
be hurt by the statement, but it is an
indisputable fact that to the European,
with the possible exception of n limited
class of Englishmen, the United States
of America meant New York harbor.
II it is true that the newspaper press
represents in any way popular notions.
then the European q year ago enter
tanned ideassof AmericA that to us who
have grown mp in and with the west
appear highly amusing.
About the time the worlds fair was
being organized the papers in conti-
mental Europe coupled news of the fair
with that of the Indian uprising then
in progress Chicago was represented
and honestly believed to be an OUTPOST
near the frontier. surrounded by bands
OF bowling, hostile Indians. Fears
were entertained for the safety of
visitors and exhibits that might be at
Chicago in 1893 When it was reported
that Buffalo Bill was ordered to the
front the dispatch in European papers
took the form that 'Col. Cody. thc
author of the Buffalo Bill," had been
ordered to Chicago in order to be near
the seat of the Indian war with party
of scouts. Don't laugh! These are
sober facts.
Perhaps the greatest wonder in con-
necton with the worlds fair is the
change of sentiment, the complete rev.
oiution of ideas in regard to this west
ern country. Europeans begin to un-
derstand that within a generation there
has developed here m empire in extent
more vast thnn the great empires of
history, in wealth unmatched in the
past. Foreigners accept the statement
now without their former incredulous
smile. They actually believe what is
told them about this country. They no
longer shrug their shoulders and say:
Yankee hunbug!' 1t is no wonder
that they are surprised, for it is diff
cult even for many natives Of the United
States to comprehend the changes
wrought in . lifetime in the western
part Of the republic. ~ ~-zs
These reflections wcrc caused by
meeting q man just over from Europe.
lie has but one word for all he Sees
here: Colossal" He applies it to the
good and the bad alike, to the evidences
of the highest civilization and the rem
nants OF barbarism which he finds
alongside of them and which time alone
can wipe out entirely.
took him out on the new elevated
railroad, which has been running n
little while. He did not expect such
thing in a city fifty years of age. The
elevated road, known as the ALLEY L."
is the latest acquisition of Chicago
The promoters of it profitcd by the ex-
perience of other cities. They could not
build a road over the housetops as they
did in London. They did not dare raise
the opposition that would be caused by
occupying a street. They built their
road over an alley running from the
center of the city between State and
Wabash avenue south to the old city
limits. They got the alley from the
city and bought what property was nee
essary outright. The structure OF the
road. although as graceful as could be,
is necessarily unsightly. but is hidden
away between houses except at the
street crossings.
Tho people living along the l:nc OF
the road have not yet become used to it.
Their kitchens, bedroops, nurseries
and backyards front on the road most
ly. One can see the greatest assort-
ment Of washing, tin cans, dogs, cats
and ba bies on a trip down the IL" road
After the people shall have become
used to it they may shut in little more
of their privacy. The horses in the
streets are not vet used to it eiu4er.
Horses are not fond of locomotive en-
gines at best;-thsy look upon them as
competitors in business. Bu. when
these engines come suorting along over
head it throws many horses entirely off
their balance. There have been plenty
of runaways and great CONSERVATION
generally in the equine world. But, like
workmen who object to labor saving
machinery, they viii get used to them
finally.
There are no ticket collectors on the
elevated road. The convenience is not
appreciated by some people who make
study of looking unconcerned when
the conductor comes by and calls fol
fares.
You enter the depot at the street
level, buy your ticket, and before pass
ing upstairs, deposit it in a glass vessel
like the hopper that feeds steam en-
gine, then go upstairs and wait on the
platform, which is elevated above the
tracks SO that. one walks right on the
car without climbing any steps.
The ~ road is to be extended to
jackson park before the worlds fair
opens. 1t is trying to acquire property
for terminal facilities down town. At
present it runs to Congress street, but
will eventually reach Van Buren,. 1t