Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1894-01-04
THE MIDWINTEK EXPOSITION.

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weeks work before it will be completed;
the five main buildings OF the California
Midwinter International Exposition are
practically finished. Still, it has been
found impossible to open the Exposition
in all its departments on January /.
When tl6projectors Of this industrial en-
terprise took advantage OF this glorious
midwinter weather in California they did
not expect that the wintiy winds on the
shore OF Lake Michigan, and the mount
aims OF snow between that point and this,
would array themselves in opposition to
their plans. This, however, has proven
to be the case, and hundreds OF carloads
of exhibits which were to come from the
Columbian Exhibition to stand on dress
parade in Golden Gate Park have been
seriously delayed by the weather. There
has been great difficulty experienced in
getting cars to load goods on at Chicago as
fast as they were ready, and when they
had once been started westward, series
OF obstacles had to be overcome until,
even though the buildings in San Fran
cisco are practically ready for their re-
ception, the bulk of the exhibits which
are to be made by foreign nations have
not yet arrived.
1t has been found necessary, therefore,
to postpone the formal ceremonies of
opening the Exposition for few days, or
until everything is in place. On the first
day OF January, however, an informal
opening occurs. The flags of all nations
will fly from the flag poles on the Expo
sition buildings and IN the grounds, there
will be music and general gala day effects
but the ebay of days." the day when San
Francisco shall be a perfect sea Of bunt-
ing, when her people shall turn out en-
masse, when an extra legal holiday shall
be declared and when all California shall
join in the great ceremony of the OPEN
ing OF this great midwinter festival--that
day will come little later on.
Quite number OF the confessional
features of the Exposition are all in readi.
ness and will be in full blast or Jan. l.
The great Firth wheel begins its rcvolu-
tons with the new year; the lions and
tigers in the wild animal arena will roar
to new year audiences; the Santa Bar
bara sea lions will roll and roar in the
great tanks that have been provided for
them; the forty-niner mining camp will
receive calls in true frontier fashion :;
beer and pleasure will flow at the Heidel-
berg castle; the Hawaiian cyclorama
will be open to the public; the curious
ones can 60 down into the Colorado gold
mine; and even the great electric tower
will be almost completed. But this word
"almost" will be changed into "quite" in
its application to everything projected in
connection with the Exposition before
the grand opening day comes on, and
when that day comes there will be spread
out before the visiting multitude the most
complete and most picturesque exposition
that the western sun has ever shone
| upon.
Speaking of the great Firth wheel sug-
gests mention Of very interesting in
cident which took place in connection
with its construction the other day. Dur
ing temporary lull in the work of put
ting up the spider-like spokes of this
wheel, a man was observed to Chamber
up in the mass OF timbers surrounding
the base OF the superstructure. He was
at first supposed to be workman, and
no special attention was paid to him.
Presently, however, he clambered out on
one OF the lower spokes. The superin-
tendent Of construction, catching sight OF
him, asked what he wanted up there.
The adventurer made no response, but
continued his ascent, working his way
inside the periphery with cat-like agility.
The superintendent ordered him down.
The only answer he got was an invitation
to come and fetch him. He kept on
climbing, and where the periphery has
not been placed he had to slide down the
big spokes until he reached the channel
irons. Crossing on these to the next
spoke, he worked out to the periphery,
and proceeded as before. By this time
quite crowd had gathered, watching the
progress of this daring fellow, 12O feet
from the ground. He was repeatedly
warned to look out for himself, but
showed himslf abundantly able to do SO.
Finally he reached the highest point,
and, standing at full length, gave an ex-
ulting yell, which was answered by
group OF friends near the volcano build
ing. OF course he came down the other
way, and thus made the first revolution
Of the great Firth wheel. On reaching
the ground he disclosed his identity, and
was recognized as sailor and rigger. He
said he had made the trip to settle bet
that he would make the first trip around
this great rotary construction.
One of the sensations of the Exposition
will be the famous diver, Kohana Maka,