Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-04-27

ChICAGO. April 22.-lhe state DulIQ-
ings is not behind the rest of the fair
IN the general effort to be ready for the
FORMAL opening of the Exposition May
l. ! During the last few days great
progress N fitting them for the recep-
tiQn of visitors has been made The
working force of every State repre-
scented at jackson Park is doing it's
utmost to prepare the structures for
dedication and they will be ready for
public inspection with the rest of the
fair.
Most of the buildings have been
completed, but the work of furnishing
the interiors and installing the State
displays still remains to be done.
Others, however, are farther advanced
In the work and require but few
days to put them in order for the open
ing day. Others are behind in furn-
ishing. Some cannot get their goods
here. others find their shipments on
the tracks, but owing to the bad
weather and congestion of the freight
department are unable to get them to
the buildings.
All manner of obstacles have inter
fered with the final efforts of the
States to complete their exposition
homes yet the last weeks work shows
marked results in the north end of the
grounds, where the State buildings
are located. While it rained outdoors
the employees on nearly all the State
buildings were engaged in finishing
the interiors and little delay was
caused by the stormy weather.
The lawns are being graded; some
have been sodded and are green. In
fact the grounds in this part of the
park are in good condition and can
easily be made presentable when the
weather permits, Most of the build
ing rubbish has been removed. During
the last week several of the drives
have been repaved and few warm
days are all that is needed to make the
place attractive.
In the Illinois building workmen
have been installing exhibits for the
last two months. With the exception
of one or two other States that have
practically completed their buildings
Illinois is probably in better condition
than any of the others. The structure
suffered slightly during the storm and
repairs must be made on the roof, but
no damage to goods resulted from the
leakage.
The big house is packed full of ex-
hibits, furniture, etc. Much of the
stuff has already been put in place and
eighteen carloads are standing on the
tracks. 1t will require great effort to
get the building ready by May l..
Some of the exhibits to be shown here
will not arrive until after the opening
day and cannot be installed before the
middle of the month These are COM
paratively few, however, and would
not be missed if they were not given
space at all.
Indiana's club house is ready for the
furniture. That has not vet arrived,
but has been shipped and is expected
Monday. The committee having in
charge the furnishing of the building
claims to be able to have everything in
order within week. The good peo-
pie of Indiana do not propose to place
any exhibits in the handsome edifice
they have erected, but will furnish it
and use it wholly as clubhouse.
The State of Michigan decided upon
another plan and will give up the sec
ond story of its structure to exhibits
of particular interest to her sons. The
first floor is being furnished hand
somely, and many of the exhibits have
arrived. The floors are covered with
packing boxes and the general appear
ance of the interior is that of vigorous
labor.
The Minnesota building is almost
completed. rything is in order and
all eXhibits-and they are many
have been installed. The club-rooms
lave been furnished and the interior
beautifully finished A few of the
archives of the State are yet to arrive
but the doors might now be swung
open and no one would know but that
the building was ready for dedica-
ton.
New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri,
Louisiana, North and South Dakota,
Vermont and Ohio have practically
completed their buildings are engaged
in putting on the finishing touches.