Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-09-16

walk up. We did it once and when we
got to the top we looked as though we
had just been fshed out of the river.
When we trot up fifty fight of stairs
again, nearly 1000 steps, we want to
know it. But a walk down is amply
repaid; for built in the sides of the east
and west walls are stones that have come
from nearly every state and territory in
the Union, besides from many foreign
countries. We said from nearly every
state and territory: that is not quite the
idea; for every state is represented but
Colorado and Texas. Many societies
are represented, as well as one or two
individuals. Cities too, have contribut-
ed their stones. The stones from New
York and Philadelphia being especially
noticeable for their size and beauty.
Handsome stones are from Bremen and
Hamburg. Kansas is represented in
'bas-relief. By the time we have reach
ed the bottom you have reached the top.
You are not long in reaching one of the
windows and the sight that meets your
eyes is indescribable. The first view to
be met with is out of the east windows
which are directly in front of the sight
seer as he steps from the elevator. From
the base of the monument hill to the
capitol, distance of mile and quar-
ter, it is one large park In some places
this park is nearly half mile wide and
as far east as Ninth street, is known as
"the mall" The capitol from the mon
ument windows looks magnificent Be-
ing situated on hill is nearly as high.
Just back of the capitol, a little to the
right, stands the new library building.
This building when finished will be one
of the finest in the city. The huge dome
is to be covered with gold leaf and will
be grand sight when completed.
At the foot of the capitol grounds are
the botanical gardens. A visit to these
beautiful grounds is amply repaid. In
the hot houses are plants from every
tropical country. Lemons, bananas and
pine apples may be seen growing. To
name over the most interesting things
in these gardens would take up to much
space here. Last summer one of the
curiosities of the garden was handsome
Victoria lily Victoria regia) in full
bloom. The leaves were so large that
they held the weight of small boy The
photograph of this wonder was taken
with the boy sitting in the center of one
of the large leaves. Continuing toward
the monument the next building in line
is the Fish commission. Many strange
fish are to be seen here; one of strang-
est and ugliest as well, being the toad
fish. This fish looks like toad with
fins instead of legs, and might make an
adjunct to some witch's kit very well.
The next building is the Army Medical
museum. A good dinner and strong
stomach is all that is needed to visit
this depository of all "the ills that flesh
is heir to-" Most people prefer looking
at this building from the outside and we
could not blame them.
Next are the National museum and
Smithsonian institution. These two
are together; and in another
letter we will try and tell something of
them.
The Department of Agriculture and
its grounds is next; and a quarter of a
mile to the southeast stands the Bureau
Of Printing and Engraving; the place
where paper money is made. All these
buildings are along the eastern edge of
the great park, between the monument
and the capitol.
A little over two miles away to the
on the eastern branch, is the
navy yard, and just across the river the
Maryland heights are to be seen. Look
pg from the north windows to the |
northeast may be seen the government
printing Office, city hall, pension bu-
eau, patent Office and post Office. Away
IF among the hills can be seen the !
white tower of the Soldiers home.
OF the buildings mentioned the patent
'ffice is the most interesting. All mod
lis that are not yet patented are kept
;arefully covered. While roaming
through the galleries one day we ran
Lcross an invention of Abraham Lin
oln's. 1t was down in little corner,
md had we not been looking for it,
would probably have never noticed it.
The invention is device for lifting yes
els over sand bars in the river, and con-
lists of elongated bellows placed on
ither side of boat in a convenient DO
ition on the water line. A boat fitted
ut with half dozen of these bellows,
unning on sand bar, was supposed to
Ne set adrift by simply initiating the bel
ows with air. Whether the invention
vas ever put to practical test, we have
lever been able to find out.
Just across the street is the post Office,
which has an interesting exhibit in the
ray of the dead letter Office, sort of
museum. The things represented as be-
ng sent through the mails, range all the