The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-20
PRoPosEp BoARp on TRApE BUsLDNa.


foreign birth In 1873 the number had
grown to 5. coo, and the increase has
been practically constant ever since, al
belt there have been occasional reac-
tionary lapses following periods Of over
booming. When the cornerstone of the
new Board Of Trade building was laid
the other day. the town had for years
passed the experimental period, as is
evidenced by the fact that the contracts
for the structure call for the expenditure
Of $3.50, 600.
It is not so very long ago that the
claims Of those who foretold a great fu-
ture for Duluth were laughed to scorn by
those who had not properly considered
them. The most famous piece of fun
poking in connection with Duluth was
the speech delivered in January, 1871,
by Hon. J. Proctor Knott of Kentucky,
then a member Of the house of represent
atives at Washington. The occasion Of
its making was q resolution for the ex-
tension of the time allowed for the COM
pletion of a railroad to the young city,
and the address was such a masterpiece
in its way as to attract the attention Of
the entire civilized world 1t was dur
ing this speech that Mr.. Knott dubbed
Duluth The Zenith City Of the IN
sailed Seas His words embodied the
most extravagant but sarcastic prophe-
cies as to the future of the town, but
they made Duluth famous and actually
helped its progress amazingly They
also established Knott's reputation as
the wit Of the house.
1t has been often stated that the
speech was really written by that agile
penned promoter, P. DOMAIN. with the
intention of assisting the Duluthian
boom, and it has been pointed out in
after delivered a similar speech Those
who know him best say that there is
very little probability that Donan was
the author Of his address, and those
who are familiar with DOMAIN IS style
agree with them. Mr.. Knott's speech
was not besprinkled with such profusion
Of polysyllabic gems as Donan s produc-
tions always show, and in manner and
phrase0logy it was similar to many aft
er dinner addresses that have Leen de-
1ivered by the Kentuckian- The reason
he has never delivered another similar
public speech is believed by his friends
to lie III the fact that he realized that
he had made the mistake Of his life in
allowing the comic muse to dominate
him when on the floor of the house.
Duluth s indignation because of this
attack was intense at first, but it van
ished as soon as it was seen that the ef-
feet was good and not bad In 1890 the
Kentuckian was made the guest Of the
city A public reception was held IN the
daytime, and IN the evening there was q
grand banquet, at which he was the
chief speaker. He then embraced the
opportunity to take everything back,
and his remarks were received with the
utmost enthusiasm.
The Duluth board Of trade was organ
~4--, A
handsome building was put up in 1855
at a cost of S115, 900. including site. In
February this structure was destroyed by
fire, and the site, which cost $40, 600 in
1885, would now sell readily for $50,
900. There are not many towns IN the
United States in which real estate val
mes of 1894 are SO much higher than
were the values of 1885. The member
ship of the Duluth board Of trade at the
present time IS 185. Last year the wheat
receipts aggregated 80. go. 900 bushels.
the -four receipts, 6, 979, 600 barrels,
2, 0SS, 600 of which were ground IL the
local mills. The wheat shipments for
1898 were 80. 700, 600 bushels and the
| -four shipments 6, 902, 600 barrels.
The harbor of Duluth IS now visited
by seagoing vessels that make their way
thither through the St Lawrence, the
great lakes aud the Welland canal. 1t
was at Duluth that the first whalelack
boats, the carrying craft Of the fu-
t1re, . were first built