The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-04-30
DRIVING THB GOLDEN NAIL.
The Completion of the Woman's
Building at the Fair Grounds.
AN HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
Formal Opening Exercises Will Be
Had on Thursday Next.
The Building Is the First of It's Find Ever
Built in Connection with Any Interna-
tional xposition--Descrption OF
the Gold Nail.

CHICAGO, April 29.--That the World s
fair is an epitone of the progress of civil
ization was emphasized this afternoon,
when Mrs. Potter Palmer, president OF
the board of lady managers, stepped out
of throng of well dressed women gath
cred in the assembly room of the
Women's building, and bravely drove
the last nail in that historic structure,
the first of the kind ever built in connec-
ton with any international exposition.
The exercises began with the presenta-
ton of the Florida flag, followed by the
presentation of the Connecticut room,
Kentucky, California, New York
and Cincinnati rooms: then a presen-
tation of the Knapp flag; then
the gathering in the assembly room and
the driving of the golden nail. The sing
ing of the national chorus, ''The Battle
Hymn OF the Repubiic,'' brought the
meeting to a close, and the hdndreds OF
ladies sang the grand battle song with a
vim and earnestness which proved their
belief in the truth which was marching on
was the truth that their sex at last was IN
this day to be recognized as coequal In
temporal affairs with men who lor SO
many ages have sat on high and ruled the
things OF earth.
The golden nail driven by Mrs. Palmer
was made by j. III. Lyon of Butte, Mon.
1t required several weeks OF constant
work to make it. 1t is composed OF gold,
silver, copper and a Montana sapphire
set in the upper portion of the shield
which is attached to the nail near the
head. The nail itself is of pure copper,
silver and unalloyed gold, and rests in d
slide back OF the coat of arms and shield
OF Montana which is in the form Of a
brooch. The shield is perfect model oil
| the Montana seal. Mountains are repre-
sented of copper and in the foreground
Is waterfall and stream of silver, SUM-
set in the crest of mountains and sky
which forms the background is of pure
gold, as is also the ground in the extreme
background.
The shield is enclosed in circle of gold
| forming band, on one side of which is a
figure of typical prospector and on the
other farmer. The prospector is full
bearded and rugged looking miner, hold
| ing in his left hand q SLOUGH has while
| the right hand rests upon the handle of g
! golden pick; the farmer has a golden
smooth face, and holds hay rake in one
hand, the other resting upon mis- belt. In
the center, between these figures and
having the appearance OF bright star in
the sky is Montana sapphire. Upon q
ribbon Of gold running beneath the lower
portions of the brooch is Montana's motto
in letters of black enamel. The metals in
the nail and brooch were all presented by
Montanians, the silver coming from the
Granite Mountain mine, the copper iron
the Parrot mine and the gold from the
placers of Highland south of Brytle.
The formal opening exercises in the
woman's building will be held at
O'Clock Thursday afternoon. 1t will in.
clude addresses by Mrs. Potter Palmer
and distinguished representatives OF for
eign nations; Spain by the duchess O
Veragua, Italy by Countess Brogga, Eng.
land by Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, Scotland
and Ireland by Lady Aberdeen, Germany
by Frau, professor in Laselowsky, anc
Russia by Princess Schahovskay.
The nail was driven with silver ham,
mer in the proscenium arch of the AS
sembly hall in the north end of the build
ing. The hall was lavishly adorned with
flowers and the arch where Mrs. Palmer
stood, was hung with American beauty
roses, gracefully set off with back
ground of smilax. Then there were
pansies, yiolets, roses of all degrees ant
colors, tastefully placed about the hall
The work of arranging the exhibits
throughout the building was suspended
for the time being and the flowers, palms
and ferns were arranged about the ODD
corners and hooks everywhere.