St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-04
MIDWAY Be ING TORN DOWN
THE BIG FAIR WILL SOON Be WIPED
OUT.
DEsoLATIoN REIGNs OUTSIDE.
Blocks of Territory About the Fair
Resemble Deserted Village
The Familiar ITO Rent" Sign
Seen EVerywhere-Most of the
Gates Closed - Disposition of
the Buildings.

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.-COnfusion holds
sway at the fair grounds now. Dust is
free to whirl around the corners and be
buffeted through the peristyles to rest
in Lake Michigan. Wagons laden with
heavy machinery keep up a horrible
roar as they head for the gates. Freight
vehicles eff every description 90 holter-
SHELTER through the broad avenues.
Thousands of men at work with ham,
mers and sledges add to the din. The
heretofore spotless interiors of the pa
latial buildings are dust-begrimed.
The Midway is being torn down. In a
few more days it will be mass of de-
bris. In a couple of weeks there will
be nothing remaining to remind one of
its existence. Within the same period
those exhibits that are not reserved for
the Columbian museum will be gone
and the main buildings will be deserted.
Desolation reigns Immediately outside
the gates. The territory for blocks
about the fair grounds looks like de-
serted village fast crumbling into ruin.
Only the substantial merchants remain.
The fakirs, cheap restaurateurs and
keepers of improIised hotels have
moved on and left their tents unfolded.
TO Rent" signs are all the time be
fore the eye. The permanent structures
that were used as hotels during the ex-
position are being turned into apartment
houses aud flats, though some of the
better obstetrics are yet running on the
old system with cheaper bill Of fare,
and their price Of lodging divided by
four.
Most of the gates are closed up. Only
about half dozen gatekeepers are en-
ployed, and visitors at the pay gate are
so scarce that the gatekeeper is sur
prlsed each time paid ticket is handed
In.
The Columbian guards are the only
employees of the exposition that need
not worry about the immediate future.
There are 1,5S7 of them. and they are all
to be retained until Dec. l, and the ma
jorlty of them will hold on until spring.
when the exposition company will
| relinquish control Of the grounds.
It is not yet decided what Is to be
u, ne with the buildings. The commit
tee on demolition is not disposed to be
in hurry, regarding it to the interest
of the exposition company to give all
bidders chance. 1t is probable that
| most of the buildings will stand until
spring.
The national commission is yet hold
ing daily sessions, but is unable to clear
up its business because of the absence
of quorum. An effort was made today
TO whip in number or absenteeS known
TO be in the city. without success. The
question as to whether the agricultural
machines, which did not go into the
field for a test, are to be examined is
meanwhile being held in allegiance. The
commission will meet again tomorrow.
For minute todaYit seemed as ii the
old days of the exposition had returned.
The workmen suddenly heard shouts
of laughter and all kinds of merry
noises proceeding from the terminal
station. The place was full of boys,
band began to play and a procession of
youngsters started across the plaza.
Six hundred newsboys had arrived
from Detroit. They came in a special
train of twelve coaches as the guests of
Gen. Russell A. Aiger, of Detroit. The
boys furnished the spectators with a
sight or the first parade given on the
grounds since the close of the fair l.
brought back visions of chIldren's week
at the fair.
A happier crowd has seldom been
seen within the Jackson Park encIos-
ure.
The entrances to Midway were thrown