Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-03-16
Grom our Special Correspondent

more than busy, arranging and plant
ing the seeds and bulbs which in a few
weeks time will make the lawns and
garden spaces one gorgeous display OF
flowers and foliage.
When one stops to think that only a
little more than six weeks is allowed
| the committee to have the Fair in readi-
ness for the opening, they cannot but
| wonder how it is to be done. At pres
| ent the muddy streets and general
appearance of house-cleaning time
throughout the grounds remind one of
| the general uproar of the household on
what is known to thrifty housewives as
cleaning week" However as we all
know that that same housewife brings
order out of chaos and delightful
sense of comfort and freshness is the
result. We can look forward to the
end and see just how grand, how magni-
ficent the Worlds Fair grounds will be
when all is completed. Tongue can
not tell nor pen describe the true
granduer of the fairest spot on all the
continent. One must see it for them
selves to understand its magnitude and
appreciate its wonders.
The machinery which will supply the
power for the arc electric light system
will be started March 10Th. All the
wires which the Exposition company
were to string are now in place in the
subway of the Electric building. On
Wednesday the basin of the turn-table
at the south end of the building filled
with water afterwards sprung a leak
which has done much damage to this
section Of the subway wherein many of
the wires were in place. 1t is under
such drawbacks as this that the work is
pushed to completion. A faithful, tire
less force of men work night and day
on the different buildings to have them
done by May LIST. About one hundred
men are at work replacing the glass
broken by the snow in the side roof of
the Manufacturers building, eighty
seven of whom are setting glassrapidly.
They expect to have it all repaired next
week.
The work on the Yucatan portal is
nearly complete. They stand like some
ruined temple of ages ago. They are in
six sections and will make one of the
most novel and picturesque sights on
the ground. 1t is intended to have
| heavy moses and vines clinging to the
stone doorways and around the base
Among this profusion of vines will be
placed the stones which have seeming
| ly toppled off the walls. 1t is a wonder
full reproduction and gives an inspiring
| effect to the beholder.
A gun weighing IS tons arrived at the
park yesterday. 1t was placed in the
government building. Capt. Russell re-
garded this exhibit with much pride,
saying, "It is a coast gun, and the big
gest thing in our display" 1t is a
twelve-inch rifle piece, takes 400 pounds
Of powder and a projectile of 1000
pounds for each discharge. Not far
from the coast defense gun is to be gil
gantic mortar, a companion piece to it.
| The heroic statute of BENJAMIN
Franklin, executed by Carl Rohl-Smith,
the DANISH sculptor, was placed upon
its pedestal at the southern entrance OF
the Electric Building yesterday after
noon. The pedestal is sixteen feet high
to show the statute to good advantage.
| hn S4ofI Il N
position and is very imposing as seen
from across the open space in front OF
it. The only regret one has in lookin2
at it is that it should be cast in material
so frail that it cannot be lasting
monument.
California's mineral exhibit Will be in
its place in the Mining Building by the
first of April. Every mining State will
be represented and ores from all the
famous mines will be included The
gold ore will be the special feature and
the finest specimens have been sent
In order to display the building
material of California classic gateway
is to be erected, composed of all the
different kinds of stone found in thai
State.
The lady managers feel confident thai
the Isabella silver souvenir coins grant
ed by Congress to them will be ready
for distribution by May 1st. There are
to be 900 of them. In some respect!
the Isabella coin NAV be regarded as
greater novelty than the Columbus hal
dollar. 1t is almost certain that these
coins will command a larger premium
as they will be called the woman's coil
and are to be stamped with the por
trait of Isabella of Spain.
There is to be large silver statute
cast of Ada Rehan by the Montan;
commissioners and presented to The
Worlds Fair within the next ten days.
Washington commences the specia
', fete DAYS May 17th These fete day
; will present special features of enter
tainment and each State will set apar
one day for this purpose.
Among the works of Art which have
been accepted by the committee
Chicago and Indianapolis stand fore
most. Three young artists from the
latter place received favorable mention
We visited the Esquimos yesterday
The warm days are not SO beneficial II
them as could be wished. While tht
clear cold weather lasted they wer,