The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-05-11

worlds fairs are Of rare occurrence,
and Chicago aysnever have another.
yet should she have dozen she could
have none which swould bring her more
glory and honor than does this. her
grand celebration of the discovery Of
Americasby Christopher Columbus.
Just now the eyes of the entire world
are upon her, andher name is upon the
tongues of all nations, and it is hardly
putting it too strong to assert that for
the time there i no greater city~-on
earth. u
True, the 10th q October last, the day
on which the dedication took place, was
= great day, but that was simplya fore
taste ofEthe real grandeur that has
since been revealed. The fame of the
dedication was heralded throughout the
globe, and countless thousands have
read of the wonders witnessed ON that
day, the mammoth audience, the mighty
buildingS, etc., but that was only a
4orerunner of the great event. Then
there was an air Of incompleteness
about the who'll thing switch has given
place to finished grace and beauty, and
untold features have been added, max
ing of The whole a perfect picture of
wonderland. .st.,s ,<,7
Just about three years ago we were
In the throes of anxiety as to the out
come Of the vote in congress on the
worlds fair city. For time it looked
rs if if would be New York, but
through Chicago energy sufficient pres
sure was brorgffS rs bear Is outweigh
New York's claims and the prize became
ours.
Having gained it it seemed at first
like an elephant on our hands, but upon
thorough sizlng-up of the project it
soon resolved itself into an undertake
ing within the range of possibilities,
and being possible it soon became sim
world knows, there is plenty of push
in Chicago. -
As will doubtless be remembered
much time was lost in the selection of a
site suitable for SO large an enterprise.
The west side and the city lake front
were talked of, all of which is such
recent history it is not necessary to give
particulars. Finally Jackson park was
settled upon, and then the demand for
money arose. In tho course Of q few
weeks thousands of Chicago's laboring
people came to the,front and subscribed
for from one totem or twenty shares of
stock. The men of .swealth% came
down literally and soon the nucleus
of large fund was in hand and
building s0peratipns~-were begun at
once. The first spring month OF 1899
witnessed the breaking of ground, and
before the expiration of summer the
southern end of j Jackson park had be-
como a forestof upright tim ers.s Work.
men fro1 all parts Of the country
locked 70 ythe grounds and the White
city grew apace.
In all kinds of weather and in the
face Of all kinds of opposition the work
went dr. Labor: troubles, have from
the hmo the frstsspade wass stuck into
the earth 3hin.lered~ the progress of
building. Among the first laborers EN-,
ployed were. @loS 81 Italians, who, lie.
ing obnoxious to the Irish Americans;
were driven from their work by those
who wanted their places, Further diff.
Acaltics were cnconhtered In procuring
sufficient material for so many great
-huaings3z Then the elements con.
Api3d to- hinder the progress of the un.
dertaking., r., Severe storms on several
occasions wrought serious damage. to
fome Of tie buildings, notably, the
great hfanufactures Ind Libefai Arts
building, which last year had tho east
wall partly blown down, and this year
p9H6P Shes roof ca.ef> i'm, ~causinrr I