Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20
RE MARKABLE PICTURES
Photographer Killers Of the Geological
Survey Completing Series
C0lored Transparencies of American
at Atlanta.

In the bewildering profuSion of novel, In
structive, interesting and beautiful things.
a great exposition as something Of the eff
feet upon the mind that a rapidly changing
kaleidoscope has upon the eye. The mil
lions who visited Chicago during the Co
lumbar exposition there arc well aware of
the force of this illustration and those who
will visit the forthcoming exposition at At
lsnta may expect to experience Its truth
with equal force. But, as In. every series Of
views or aggregation of attractions. there
Is some one particular thing or two that
commands the mind and makes an indelible
impression upon the memory. so at Atlanta
the throngs will doubtless be struck and
held in admiration at series of pictures
which are now being made in this city, and
which are to form an important part of the
governments display at Atlanta.
Away up in the fifth story Of the Hooe
building. on street, Mr.. John X. Killers
of the United States geological survey Is
at work putting the finishing touches to a
transparent picture on glass of the famous
Natural bridge Of Virginia. In the past few
years the wonderful improvement in the
photographers art has made the "trans-
rarency." as 1t is commonly called, ia
niliar object. Mr.. Killers, however has
gone a step further than his contempo-
raries in his profession and has succeeded
in reproducing the exact colors of the or;gi-
nal scenes in these pictures on glass. 1t will
be remembered that for the exhibition of
colored Transparent cies at the Chicago ex-
position. which were made by Mr.. Killers,
the geological survey received the gold
medal. while the artist himself was award
ed diploma unusually superlatlve in Its
terms of praise.
The transparency of the Natural bridge
mentioned above, Is the last of a series Of
seventy-hve pictures upon which Mr.. Hill
lers has been at work for several months
by direction of Director Walcott, who has
shown a great interest in the exposition,
and who sent Mr.. Killers south to get the
views he Is now perpetuating. Altogether,
characteristic features Of American nat
ural beauty. They include views Of the
Yellowstone and the Yosemite, the Cave
Ruins and other remains of the ancient
peoples of the west, and the less rugged
but none the less exquisite scenes Of the
south. All the southern pictures have been
colored and comprise about thirty-five of
the series. They include some superb scenes
on the French Broad river, views in Flor
Ida, including the famous phosphate mines
at Dunnellon. contemplating scenes and a
host of characteristic subjects that will not
tail to inspire enthusiastic admiration At
Atlanta. Particularly fine is Mr.. Killers
picture of Harper's Ferry showing the
suspension bridge and the Potomac swirl
Ing down between its high banks of living
green. 1t is a remarkable picture in the
d
reproduction of the colors of the rocks,
water. houses and foliage. Mr. Killers has
also made picture of a scene in the heart
OF the Dismal Swamp Of Virginia 1t is
probably enc of the most wonderful prod
ucts of the photographers art and the
colorist's power that las ever been created
1t Is mass of livid green, of vines and
creepers trailing in and out in every direc-
ton. In the foreground are some cyprus
knees and huge cyprus tree rises near
trem. The observer involuntarily steps
back when this picture is shown. fearful
OF some Shiny thing that may dart out
from the Notwithstanding shadows of the
uncanny vegetation. 1t will doubtless Gre
ate much remark at Atlanta. This. how
ever. Is the only gruesome picture In the
collection, and 1t will give splendid idea
OF what the great Dismal Swamp looks
like to the thousands who will stop before
it.
The exhibit will be complated in a few
days and will be taken to Atlanta by Mr..
Killers and placed in position according to
his valuable ideas upon such matters.