San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-09-12
The Daily Eight.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER u, 1893
AT THE FAIR.
Miss Texas Talks About the State
Buildings
CHICAGO, Sept. 8, lNsS.

Il
not the least interesting day at the
fair is the tour of the state build
ings mingled with some of the for
eign buildings, for you will hard
ly attempt to explore even the re-
cesses of all the state buildings
but select those of special histOri-
cal interest, at first, then those that
command attention for their ~Style
and luxury" with the quaint, new,
but wonderful display from the far
west. All patriotic Texans will, of
course, register at their state build
ing. 1t is to be greatly regretted
that our beloved state did not
make more of an effort to assist
Mrs. TObin in building a finer club
house as well as to display more of
the states resources. We hear
Texas is represented in some of the
main buildings, it may be, but a
patient search revealed to our eager
eyes in the horticultural build
ing lot of cacti, sent by
an enterprising wOman-gOOd of
its kind, but one firm is lost in this
immensely. Arizona and California
combined their firms in this line,
and New Mexico even sends firm
which makes all sorts of souvenirs
out of our despised prickly pear.
Frames, napkin rings, and even
picture easels were shown. Look
ing farther, on shelf, among mag
niticent specimens of fruit, we saw
-guess?-a bunch of grapes on one
plate and three peaches on another,
labeled in big letters--"TeXas."
We asked the guard on duty near
to kindly turn his back while
we slipped the sign in our pocket.
'Fraid you will eat the fruit,
Miss" he laughingly replied. That
was such ridiculous idea,we were
disguised, and just passed on. But
we are now long way from our
state building. To return to the
subject-Our building is imposing,
and presents considerable archi-
tectural skill, the architect wisely
giving the Spanish effect in towers
and windows. The towers at
each side of the build
ing, the round windows on
each side of main doorway suggest
San Jose. 1t would have been Il
happy thought to have copied our
Alamo or one of the old missions,
but it is doubtful if that would
have furnished us comfortable
headquarters. There should be
nothing but praise for our Texas
effort, as it was certainly built
under most discouraging circum-
stances, and too much cannot be
said in praise of those who worked
at the head so faithfully. The
social life at the Texas building is
charming and informal. Mrs.
TObin's kindly smile makes you
feel right at home, but we hope it
will give some of those erich fell
lows who might have helped with
some state PRIDE few twists of
conscience that her work was made
so difficult, but no doubt they will
read the Texas papers and write
their Texas letters on Texas free
wood with utmost Indifference.
Well! we leave them there and go
to our neighbOr, New Mexico, the
building is not particularly strik-
ing but the exhibit is en-
tertaining for those who
take an interest in anthOrpOlOgy
as Santa Fee has sent her historical
booms for our pleasure. Some
idols of Pueblo Indians, ancient
pottery of cliff jewellers and early
Spanish paintings will hold your
attention for some time. Utah
gives about the same kind of eX-
hibit but adds a few very old
mummies with a modern display
of home made silk, linen and broad
cloth. Idaho, "the gem of the
mountains" comes near in a three
stored log cabin, but it is so unique
and comfortable that we long to
be pioneer if we could be sure of
so nice a home. The luxury with
in and the beautiful sight of valley
and mountain to be seen on its ma
tive soil from its Swiss balconies,
would be more than compensation
for seeming isolation. The school
exhibit and mineral display is very
fine. Washington is also on the
log cabin style of architecture
and shows to advantage the i'm
mense timber resources of the
state. The exhibit within will de-
tain you more than an hour, the
school work being equal to any
thing displayed at the fair. While
we are in the west let's visit Cali
fornia. We feel at home under this
faithful copy of one of the missions,