The Russellville Democrat., 1893-10-19

We are told that the age of mira cles has passed, but the casual yis- itor in this, the Phoenix City of America, who sees its miraculous growth, it's unparalleled and unap- proachable magniiicence and remem- bers how but few years ago it was but a mass of smoking ruins, q sad monument to the awful work of the devouring element, has abundant reason to doubt the assertion.
 But, if Chicago was great'city a few years ago, before the World $ Fair was q reality, she is today, and may hencefofth be termed one of the big cities of the world No more effective advertisement for her could have been conceived of than in securing the Fair, and after the close of the great show, when the story of her fame has extended unto the ends of the earth, she may we'll say, the Fair has been worth every cent it has cost us.
 During our attendance upon the Expo, though only a few hours of the writer's time was spent in the city, many objects worthy of note came under his observation, a few of which might be mentioned here,
 Passing down State street from Englewood, we are treated to view of many splendid suburban resi- dences. An hours ride upon the cable cars brings us into the busy heart of this great metropolis. A veritable Nbee- hive of humanity is working with might and main, kings, queens and drones alike working side by side. The bloated bond holder and the Teutonic sausage vender hold forth under the same roof. There is no distinction at the shrine of Mammon; the titled lord and the humblest plebeian bow alike before the Juggernaut of the Al mighty Dollar. No buns or loafers on the street corners; the fact IS it isn't safe to stopo on the street at all, and if you want to cross over the street, you must take your chances, summon all your extra surplus of nerve, wrench yourself from the vast, surging, tanning crushing, turbid sea of genus homo, evade a young regiment of bootblacks, news bows and souvenir fakirs, dodge un- der. around, behind and beneath an exhibit" of moving drays, buses, express wagons, four-in-hands, lunch wagons and liveried coachmen, suf- ficient to cover the top of the Trans portation building, or haul the ap pie pies for an Arkansas Confeder ate reunion. Then you jump over a street car track just as couple of ears whizz by, with fiend in blue and brass buttons looking 'cusses 7 at you for your impudence Now, you've another track to cross, but you must wait till the ears roll by, Jennie also get out of the way of that float advertising Admiral cig arettes, and the band wagon of the Chicago Fire Panorama. Every where is noise, hustle and excite ment, and vita the "whirr" of cleo tric cars, tho roar and rattle of a thousand wheels and hoofs over the paved streets, the whistle of facto- ries, the husky shouts of the fakir proclaiming the merits(?) of his wares, the shrill whistle of steamers as they divide the heaving bosom of Lake Michigan, and the r-piercing yells of newswboys, shouting Morn ing paper-r-r s All about tn sass ination of John l.. Sullivan {! Big Brooklyn bridge disaster many lives lost! Mor-r-r-ning paperrs" you mentally affirm that pandemo- nium isn't in it compared with Chi cago, Illi.noise. On all sides loom np Chicago's proyerbial "sky-serap- CTS" prominent among which IS the Masonic Temple, holding it's lofty head 2l stories skyward. How is that for high, eh2 A few blocks away is the celebrated Woman $ Temple, l9-story editice erected by the women of America. On the lake front near Van Buren pier is the famous Auditorium building, one of the finest structures in the world It is made more prominent because of the great historo- spectac- ular play, America, now running there, which is undoubtedly the grandest production ever placed on any stage. So popular is it that all seats are taken week in advance, and speculators buy tickets by the hundred and readily dispose of them at advanced prices.
 Not far distant, facing the blue waters of the lake is the Art Insti- tute, where the Worlds Congresses are held. The Religious Congress, the last of the great series, is now in session.
 Here is the mammoth retail store of Siegel, Cooper & Go. This inn mense emporium occupies an entire block, the building having eight floors. The establishment employs about 1000 clerks, saleswomen and floor walkers. The lover of cheap literature can purchase handsome cloth bound volumes here for ) and Is cents. Who would not be dis ciple of Cadmus, after visit to the book departments
 Now let us walk over to Panorama Place and see the great cyclorama, the Battle of Gettysburg" This is indeed a marvel in painting and re lief work, and is worth more than the price of admission -50 cents.