The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-11-30
a Two Days Glimpse at the
WORLDS Fair.

\ =
The following letter, which gives a
vivid picture ofthe worlds fair from one
who used his eyes to good advantage,
will be read with interest, not only by
those who did not attend. bur by those
who We're as fortunate to be there. 1t
IS from the pen of w. ]. Whitefield OF
this city.
EDITOR SAUK CENTRE HERALD
Illinois has erected a grand building
many times larger than any other state
orforeign building and is indeed beauti-
full structure. Gazing upward till the
eye reaches the highest pinnacle of the
| interior of the dome, 1852 feet from the
| floor, is an experience to be remembered,
If forno other reason than that the OPP
portunity don't occur every day. The
interior of this dome is finished in gold,
and produces quite an impression OF
vasteness in the building which may
| fittingly assume such a crown. The eX-
terror height of the dome is over $50 feet.
Greatly to my regret could only spare
time to peek into the various rooms and
halls. 1t is so immensely large did not
attempt go all through.
In the gallery of Fine Arts tarried
about two hours and amidst sculpture
and paintings these thoughts would
have hearing; SThe exhibit does not
represent altogether as high an order OF
talent as had expected" could not
encounter anything that held me spell
bound. Possibly because was not IN
the right frame of mind, in fact l know /
was not, being too resolutely determined
TO close within two hours. 1t occurred
10 me the hanging OF many of the larger
pictures killed them, so to speak. The
merits of no picture are revealed until
you can secure the proper position from
which to view it. In the cases referred
70, i'll my opinion, this was not possible
owing to the smallness of the rooms
where exhibited. The entranc: and exit
OF these rooms occupied the larger share
vi luS Suu "stii Sl'oSS, HSSSSSildlhS thS
hanging of the largest canvasses upon
the side walls. But Notwithstanding
these hasty conclusions. doubt not had
more time been at my disposal should
have discovered had in many instances
erred i'll first impressions and so have
realized this art palace was filled with
imperlshable works of art in painting
and iii sculpture. As it was, marked in
the catalogue of sculpture and paintings
nearly an hundred which impressed ME
as of very great merit. Hasty conclu-
sions, certainly.
Leaving the Art Palace turned to
view for the last time it's noble proper
tons and wonder at the contemplated
destruction of so noble n work of art
1t seemed to lie that buildings so repre-
sentative of highest art and built to
commemorate SO important an event i'll
the worlds history, should not perish.
TO destroy them, says man worships
only gold. l know the perishable char
acter of the outer covering and that an
immense sum in money would be required
to make them permanent and then the
question, when protected from the
elements, what per cent. OF profit will
| they return for .he investment? And
where shall the money come from to keep
them in repair il they are not used for
revenue? They cannot be utilized as
| dwellings as that would destroy the
monumental sentiment. AS factories or
railroad depots the dissertation would be
Overwhelmingly complete. Besides Chi
cago has dedicated this ground to be
used as public park and so, down they
must come! AS the whole worlds richer
and better for the discovery of America,
a subscription to fund sufficient to re-
| store and preserve in marble the present
outlines should be circulated throughout
the world, and to Chicago should be en-
trusted the future care and identifying of
the grounds tor use under the name, Col
umbian Park. The buildings should be
used for botanical gardens, museums,
libraries, geological gardens, ETC.
| With these thoughts mingling with re-
/ greet that in another hour should have
passed from sight and sound OF this
greatest, III every sense, of the worlds
expositions turned to seek the depot
through the brilliantly illuminated
grounds. Every building was outlined
by myriad ineandescent globes OF light
and the grounds were thronged by rush
ing streams OF humanity still unsatis6ed.
The scene was enticing to remain but the
time had come when must leave AMI so
passed the turnstiIe for the last time,
and III few minutes would be speed
ing across the prairie homeward bound,
feeling well pleased to think had prob
ably seen as much as it were possible to
do i'll SO short a time and convinced that
had been allowed two months instead
oil two daysI would still have been short
many months OF time necessary to have
seen Understandings the entire exhibit.
Just before leaving the union depot
came the blood curdling cry, Harrison,
the mayor of Chicago, has been shot!''
This announcement produced upon the
gathering throng q very perceptible
covering and involuntary shrinking from
contact with the crowd, as though the
wings of death were heard lowering
lover head. producing upon the startled
senses shuddering dread OF human con-
tact. In moment more, as with
swarming bees, the widest commotion
| upheaved the crowd; and so we left Chi
cago in the first pangs of a great calami-
| ty, uncertain whether or no the fearful
cry recorded an actual happening.
flushed. only to give place to the an.
uncement ofthe murder which seemed
ol,ripg more nearly toeyery hearth and
hame III Chicago sense OF personal