The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-07-27
THE MID-wINTER FAIR.
w. ID, Port Fsvors the Register With
Vivid and Detailed Report of
the Great California
show.

ED, REGIsTER:-A promise to fur
nish the readers of the REGISTER a
sketch of the Mid Winter Information
al Exposition as it is viewed by one
who saw something of the Worlds
Columbian Exposition has been very
tardily complied with, owing to bust
ness in hand which has occupied most
of our time. We trust, however, that
q few notes at the last hour may be
accepta BILE.
To speak of each item of interest
would be an almost endless task, and
we will touch upon only few of the
many, and make our letter as brief as
possible.
A more desirable or beautiful spot
for the exposition could hardly have
been chosen than Golden Gate Park
which lies about midway between
the ferries and the Ocean shore.
Much could be said of the Park itself
with its numberless attractions, but
as this is to be a description of the
Fair, time and space will not admit of
our extending the same beyond the
limit.
When we take into consideration
the short time spent in preparation
together with the fact of there beng
really not even State appropriation,
it seems marvellous that so much
could have been accomplished.
There are five main buildings, viz:
Administration, Machinery Hall,
Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, Horticulture
and Agriculture. These buildings are
so placed as to form the four sides of a
quadrangle, within which is series
of terraced courts, in the centre of
which looming gracefully heaven
ward is an iron structure known as
the Electric tower. This tower is
about 265 feet in height and when
lighted with its 3400 incand escent
lights, appears as a magn ificent pill.
lar of fire, rising out of the darkness
of the court. The tower is crowned
by a search light, which is reported
to be the largest and most powerful
ever constructed. 1t weighs 5000 lbs
and the light can be seen for miles.
The electric current is supplied by a
dynamo in the Mechanical Arts build
ing.
Directly in front of the Administra-
ton building is an Allegorical Foun-
tain while opposite at the eastern end
of the Grand Court is situated the
Electric fountain. 1t is of marvellous
beauty and together with the Tower
forms the chief attraction of the court
in the evening. The power here is al
so furnished by dynamo in Machln-
cry Hall.
In mentioning the buildings it seems
only natural to speak first of the Ad-
ministration, which is really in point
of beauty, the queen building Of the
Fair. 1t Stands at the end of the
Grand Court and is of Oriental Archi-
lecture. This building contains the
exposition offices. The chief beauty
of the building is the dome, which
when lighted forms dazzling globe
of light that speaks to the people far
ana wide, of fairy city almost hid
den in its nest of foliage.
Across the court and directly op-
posite the Administration building
stands the Liberal Arts building.
This is a long, low structure, and is
known as the building with the blue
dome. Here most of the foreign ex-
hibits may be found in the order of
their different sections. There is
much to hold the attention of the visi-
tor as he makes the tour of this build
ing. Not the least attractive feature
lie the Ceylon tea garden aud court,
where one may refresh himself with
a cup of delicious tea served by the
courteous and obliging little gentle
men of Ceylon. in native custom. The
Liberal Arts building is the largest
building on the grounds.
Situated on the northern side of the
court is an immense rambling build
ing known as the Agricultural and
Horticultural building. The main
floor is devoted to those exhibits per-
tanning to foods, Agricultural nipple
ments and fisheries. Directly in
front of the main entrance is pic
turesque dome beneath which is
county exhibit. An interesting feat
ure of this building is miniature
Ferris Wheel made of oranges. In
the south end of the building Montana
has a very interesting Mineral ex-
hibit. The upper floor il devoted to
dried and green fruits and flowers.
Washington, ID. c. has green fruit
exhibit on this floor. We noticed
several specimens labeled Allen Co.
Kansas.
By far the plainest and least i'm