Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1893-08-18
IT'S 4 GREAT FAIR.
Interesting Letter by z, E. Alton Con-
cerning the Big Fair.
A Trip Through Picturesque Portions
of The East.

To westerner who has never left his
own favored home to cross the noun
talns and visit the East, letter devoted
particuly to the many sights and Won
ders to be seen, serves as a delightful
diet upon which to feast. On the Jour
ney from the West to Chicago one is af-
torded an excellent opportunity OF seeing
sights which must be seen to be appre-
ciated. Leaving Colfax, Wash, you
pass through very beautiful course OF
country in Washington and Oregon, and
after a two days ride you arrive via U.
2. r. K. at the mountains which must
be crossed to gain free access to the East
ern points. At Omaho, we crossed the
mammoth bridge which spans the Miss
Ouri river and are in Council Bluffs,
Iowa. From here we passed through
very beautiful country over the G. NJ. &
st. P. r. R., and reached Chicago at the
World Fair grounds. Just before reach
ing the "magic city," in the distance,
can be see an assemblage OF domes, towers
and spires rising above the trees between
the railroad and Lake Michigan. These
are some of Ahe colossal and magnificent
palaces of the Worlds Columbian Ex-
position, far superior, not only in num-
Der and magnitude, but in beauty and
artistic harmony OF design, toany assem-
blage OF buildings that the world ever
before saw.
First to be noticed and directly in
front of the railway station where the
Michigan Central special trains enter
the Exposition, rise grandly the four
square pavilions of the Administration
building, crowned by its great dome
260 feet above the ground, almost as
graceful in outlines as that of the Flor
entine Cathedral. In front OF it stands
the magnificent bronze tountainby Nc
Monnfes, facing the great basin i'll the
center OF the great court, upon which
front the Agricultural building and Ma
chinery Hall on the south, and the
palaces of Mines and Mining, Electricity
and of Manufactures and the Liberal
Arts on the north. The dOmes and
towers of these buildings may be seen
in the distance, and particularly the
great arched roof of the last named
building, the largest in the world. 1t
covers an area OF more than thirty acres
nearly three times that Of the largest
building of the great Paris Exposition of
1889.
Upon reaching the grounds, the Trans
portation building is clearly seen to the
left of the Administration building. 1t
covers with its annexes, l4la acres OF
ground, and its massive arched doorway
decorated and known as the
Golden Portal" is one OF the most
striking external features OF the Exposi-
ton, Next to the left is the Hortlcul-
tural building, 1000 feet in length, and
with central pavilion, under the glass
dome of which is grouped the finest
known collection of bamboo, tree fern
and palms. Northward, is the Woman's
building, a chaste and noble structure,
first of all the buildings to be completed,
and the architect, artists and decorators
of which were all women. 1t is filled
with the fruits OF the genius, skill and
labor of the women of all nations.
Undoubtedly, to many, the most inter-
esting features OF the great talr, are the
State buildings and exhibits, but to the
writer the Midway Plaisance with its
many villages proved more interesting.
Crossing the Plaisance, which connects
Jackson Park on the east with Washing
ton Park on the west, and in which are
located a section OF Paris, street OF
Cairo, various national villages, Dutch
East Indian settlement, sliding and cleo
trio railways and numerous other inter-
astino features, we were treated to rich
knowledge OF the manners and customs
of many foreign nations. To visit these
many villages, requires small sum from
Tan IN ffty cents. Also in the north end
of Jackson Park are the various State
and Foreign buildings of diversified arch
itecture, and representing an expendi-
ture OF many millions OF dollars.
The fair is now half over, and it is
claimed that the directors are far behind
in their expenses, and unless larger
number attend during the remaining
half it will be a gloomy failure. Never
tbeless it is great exhibition and is
worthy the patronage OF everybody,
young and old.
On August lst the writer left for
Brooklyn, n. Y, via the NJ. G. R. R. and
n. Y. & Hudson River R. X. This is
unquestionably the most picturesque
route in the United States, where the
nassing observer sees with pleasure
sights which equal, if not far surpass,