The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-27
THE MINERAL PALACE.

mems of ores from all parts of the Centen-
NAL State. Then there arc wonderful fos-
sis and petrifactions arranged in separate
cases The silver San Juan, the glorious
La Plata, rugged Gunnison, Lake, Eagle,
Huerfano, Ouray-all are represen ted here.
Silurian fossils, silver wire, precious gold,
feldspar, tellurium, iron pyrtes, crystals,
lead, unite to form dazzling and inter
esting display. One object which attracts
the visitors attention is the model of the
great gold Australian nugget which was
tho largest lump OF gold ever discovered
and was valued at $40, 600.
The most unique feature of the palace,
however. is the statue of ''Oli King Coal"
contributed by the miners of Trinidad,
that wonderfully fertile coaltield in south
ern Colorado. The statue is enormous and
represents the merry king sitting in his
chair of state. 1t is made entirely of coal,
with the exception of the gypsum used in
the ermine trimmings of his robe. When
King Coal struck Pueblo, hh royal entry
was the occasion of "a POPULARITY and hilar-
ity which have become historic. His ret
niue. besides Ibis fiddlers three consist
ed of such courtiers as court butcher, royal
tooth extractor, most high plumbers,
court assayers and royal brewer. Many of
Pueblo's most prominent citizens Joined
the train of the visiting monarch when he
called for his pipe and his bowl, and today
he sits in grandeur in his royal palace
with a serious. solemn expression on his
beautifully FURNISHED face, bordering
doubtless on the night he entered Pueblo
Another novel and attractive feature Is
a huge pipe organ done in lead and cop
per 1t is faultlesS in construction, having
stops sWeIls double banks of keys and
graduated pipes. This was gift from a
coal and iron company. In one Of the side
rooms is the colossal statue of the 'Silver
Queen" which was one Of Colorado's at
fractions at the Worlds fair.
The stage in the auditorium is decidedly
unique and quite typical Cf the country.
1t represents the interior of a mine, a
grotso scene. with hanging stalactites and
the walls glistening with rich mineral Ia
the rear is an irregular opening through
which the mountains are visible, crowned
by the hoarv snow capped head of Pixies
Peak. Through this opening is also visible
the historic trail, and winding slowly up
tie mountain side is an automatic pack
train in full view. Below the trail cas-
cade of real water dashes over the rocks
From this basin at intervals rises the
golden haired goddess of the mineral world.
This spectacle when seen by the flash o.
calcium lights is enchanting. The grotto Is
the work of u Neyy York artist. Both King
Coal and the Silver Queen are lighted at
night. each by l25 incandescent electric
lights Other figures representing copper,
lead gold and iron are illuminated in
similar manner. and the scene at night Is
like peep into fairyland-
The European Geological society, when
visiting this institution, said that within
its walls Is the largest and most valuable
mineral collection IL the world. Robert
IngerSOll calls il the most beautiful audi
forum in the world and declared II 20
re ten times more lovely than his concep-
ton Of il. TalmaGe said that II was the
most beautiful building he had ever seen.
ana Carter Harrison said IL was a thing OF
beauty, 20 be seen and not 70 be described,
10 realize a faint idea Of its attraction.
The Mineral palace Is great resort on
summer nights. Concerts, recitals and
balls are held in the auditorium, and the
scene. with it, glitterins setting, the sum
mer and evening costumes, the pretty
faces. the flowers, the lights, the music, Is
brilliant one
And over all this Rocky mountain revei
King Goals serious face looks down with
bonignanr expression. One almost ian
oies that the merry old soul will sud
denly clap his hands and call for his I'd
Glers three. EDITH SESSIONS TCPFER