The Helena independent., 1893-12-21
IT DID THE STATE GOOD.
Commissioner Bickford Makes His
Final Report to the Worlds
Fair Managers.
To Unbiased Minds the Montana
Exhibit Was a Source Of
Pride.
To These who Went to Find Fault tho
Defects We're Apparent-Ths
Women's Work.

A meeting OF tho Montana board .
Worlds fair managers was held yes
tsrday in the Merchants National banl
building, to hear reports from officers anC
settle up business conneoted with the stats't
exhibit at Chicago. There wess present
Stephen De Wolf, president; ALLEN r.. Joy
w. H. sutAerlin, G. X. Middleton, George
N. Hays, Phil Lowell and A. j. Davidson.
Of the board; Mrs. j. L. Richards. Mrs.
Laura Howey and Mrs. Walter Cooper. Of
the lady managers; Executive Commission
or w. 8. Biekford. National Commissioner
L. H. Hsrshheld and James G. Ramsay,
secretary. Executive Commissionss Biok-
ford. In his report to the board, told Of the
disposition OF the various articles exhibited
at Chicago. The furniture used in the
Montana state building, the educational
exhibit and such parts Of tho mineral ex-
hibit a. would bs OF permanent value TO
the state have been turned over TO the exso-
utivs department.. Part OF the mineral sx-
hibit Was given to tho agricultural college,
Tho gold nuggets and fins specimens Of gold
were returned to their owna.s. nothing hav-
ing been lost. The silver statute has
been turned over to the contractors for
exhibition, and the surplus silver returned
to Ex-Gov. Haussr and Hon. w. A. Clark,
who loaned the material. Tho state build
Ing was sold for $3.50. which the commits
sionsr considers a good figure under the
circumstances. Those parts Of the exhibit
valuable to the state because Of their his
toIical interest and for use in state affairs
have been stored in tho armory at Helena
under tho direction of the governor. On
the subject of the midwinter fair the COM
missioner says:
''Some question has arisen as to the ad-
visibility Of sending our mineral exhibit TO
San Francisco for display during tho Mid
winter fair. but under the terms Of the ap-
propriation made bv our last Legislature
mono of the funds which will be left in the
banda Of the state board of Worlds fair
managers can be made available for this
purpose; it is equally true that the state
board Of Worla's fair managers. As now
constituted under the old law. would have
no Jurisdiction in taking active steps toward
mskinR display at the Midwinte, fair,
although there seems to be general senti-
ment in favor Of making some exhibit; but
under the circumstances I do not see how
this board can do anything in an official
ssPns M ont veS eSes wish
be lefs in the hands of the treasurer be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000.
I'm closing This my last report to you. l |
desire TO express my sincere thanks for all
the kindly interest shown by members OF
the board and to say that tho assistance
been thankfully received and acted upon.
In carrying through work OF SO great
magnitude and in endeavorinR to make an
Impression upon an exposition which iB or |
was the largest tho world has ever seen. we
have at times beon hampsred for want of
UaA nd - nth f~v La IL r.p r;o1
but We believe that taking everything into |
consideration tho display made by our state
WAS - we'll worthy Of commendation as
that Of any other state in the nation, and
that the money expended has been wisely
and carefully paid ont. II the state has at
because of inattention to business nor be-
cause of lack of interest in the welfare Of
the state. In fact do not believe that we
have unwisely or foolishly expended any of
the money. and that the result az shown in
years to come will evidence the fact that
oughly Advertised as those Of any other
western state. +
Something like one hundred and seventy
thousand pamphlets were distributed TO
those most Interested. and in the agricultu.
raj and mineral departments were given
tana to produce not only the precious min
erals and stones, but also the finest crops
of cereals; and to those visitors from Mon.
tana who have gone to the fair with nnbi-
assd minds the display made by us has
been q source of satisfaction and pride; TO
those who have gone there for the purpose
of finding fault tho defects have been np-
parent; but when we take into considsrn-
tion how much easier 1t ls to undertake the
performance OF the task in tho commence
ment. We should not be surprised at verse
criticism nor discouraged because of the
fact that our display did not suit nll.''
The final report of the women's depart
nent. made to Commissioner Bickfosd by
Mrs. L. E. Howey. was also read. II goes
Into details OF the work done and the ex-
psnss incu rod. "To the women who add
cd so much to the beauty of the interior o,
says the report. "Silvsr Bow county leads
! q presenting the most articles for state
house furnishings. Mrs. Harper. paintings
and revolutionary .furniture: Mrs. Brush,
Gum. Schultz. Sweet aud BickeI, .ictures;
Miss Hammond. an excellent sofa pillow.
The daliatin county seal was the attraction
all OF the time. Madison county in tapes
try needle work, pioneer pictures cushions
and chair covers and jusper table comes
next TO Silver Bow in number OF eifts.
Boulder sent pictures; also one from Gisr-
dive. and weolen flowers from Billings.
Photos, work OF Howard Cox. a little boy
from Helena. Mrs. Waites' paia tod tapes.
Try. the Bsavsrhead county table. Mrs.
WightS mineral cnbinet, Anacouua's 81 k
flag, photographs OF such pioneer ladies ms
Mrs. sto-y. Beall, Hope and others added
greatly to the appearance of the parlors,
d those pictures were largo and elegantly
framed.
"1n the gentlemsn's parlors were found
pictures OF our first territorial governor.
orst state governor and present governor.
The comments passed upon the faces of
our representative men and women wore
alvsys Of high character. bat led one to
suspect the observers e1peoted to 500
specimens OF 'Lo in bla nker or Buffalo
Cilr style as our repr esentative citizen.
Tho fine large oil painting of Sboshons
Falls. loaned BY Hon. W. A. Clark, added
immensely to tho appearance of the gen
llemen's parlors. Mrs. b .rratt. OF Beaver
he ad county, Mrs. Chowen. of Great Falls,
handsome silk pillows for tn.
comfort of tired people; and Mis-. Lott, OF
Twin Bridges. presented an exceedingly
beautiful one also. Perhaps nothing was
enjoyed more (but caused Us a great deal of
anxious caro- than the small photographs
loaned By Fred Sterling of Helena, aud the
little books of Montana wild flowers of Mia.
Emma Buchler, Mrs. Fitch and others.
These mysteriously disappeared In spite of
ri IN rataip ham