The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-28
TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL
Mr.. GEORGE ALLEN, RETURNED
TALKS INTERESTINGLY OFT.
The Handsome Service Given by the
Seaboard and the Details of
The Exposition.

ihC L0pOSI'iOU.
Tell me about the Exposition ait Nash
vile! How many hours ride, and is it
worth the trip are some of the ques-
tons that | asked Mr.. George Allen, who
has just returned.
Il left Raleigh" he said ION the Sea-
board Atlanta Special at 400 p. M, took
breakfast in Atlanta and supper i'm Nash
vile. The travel is for the greater part
Of the way through a fine farming coun-
try. AT and surrounding Southern
Pines, in Moore county, n. c., we saw
hundreds of acres of Niagara Grapes,
peach orchards, and berries, also large
field of Hops. We passed through Aber-
deem, the centre of the lumber interests.
Central Carolina, upper South Carolina,
Georgia and middle Tennessee, embrace
some of the finest farming country in the
world. Cotton, wheat, oats, rye and corn
are the principal crops, at one station ten
self binding reapers were being delivered,
and are now at work cutting wheat The
scenery on the route is fine, and some
of 1t very grand, particularly the battle
grounds near Chattanooga.
Wilmington Day, was "a great success,
our party wore Wilmington badges, and
enjoyed the banquet and fish supper,
which were served in the Seaboard Air
Line mammoth car The banquet hall is
100 feet long, % feet wide, with tables
and seats for more than one hundred
\ large party of Ohio editors were among
the guests. The shad, rock, sheep head
nc, were carried frozen i'll large blocks
Of ice. On the next day the car present
ed different appearance, instead of d
long table there were twenty fiat desks
with six chairs at each desk, and in the
chairs sat delegates from every portion of
the one thousand miles of Seaboard Air
Line Road. They had been called to-
gether by John II. Patrick, Chief Indus
trial and immigration Agent of the Rail
road. The entire day was spent in hear
ing reports and transacting business
How about the exhibit itself How
was it built?' | asked.
1T did not spring into being full
grown 1t had "a small beginning, as
nearly all great things have. This mil
lion dollar exposition grounds and build
ings, containing several millions dollars
worth of exhibits, originated with a few
men, members of the Chamber of Com
merce who worked and talked and wrote.
ulllU lHp lutSt WdS llaut 10 grow alu e&-
pand, and to become matter of interest
to the citizens of Nashville and of Tennes-
see. / talked with "a number of the orr
ginal workers. They are men of action,
and deserve great credit, for without
their intelligent individual work, the CO.
operative work and assistance of the
State could not have been obtained and
the exposition would not have existed.
The few originate, the many carry to
completion. The business management is
splendid, the managers expect TO return
full value to every stakeholder and con-
tributOr This does not refer 10 the
chief officers who serve without pay,
and there are no dead head tickets"
Tell me about articles exhibited? Are
they of value?'
THE centre of attraction is the Parthe-
non, an exact reproduction and copy of
the far famed original, which was erect
ed in Athens about twenty -four hundred
years ago 5000 years before the discOv-
cry of America) and which is filled with
valuable paintings, said to be insured
for one million dollars. The Parthenon
is surrounded by a number of grand build
ings, which are filled with most interest
ing exhibits, embracing every kind of
manufacture and also agricultural min
efal and forestry displays.
1.-The railroads make a notable exhibit.
On one side, the original train of cars of
1893 is standing-an old infant, remind
ing one of China, in which no progress
has been made. On the other side, the
modern train of powerful engine, Pull
man cars, with air brakes, illustrating the
growth, from small and humble begin
nings to grand results. The profusion of
electric display is marvellous. The Raj
eigh Chamber of Commerce, owns the
privileges of the S. A. l.. Car, for adver-
Using purposes, and for a meeting place
on Raleigh Day, which will occur during
one of the summer months, at which time
a large delegation should be present. Ev
cry arrangement is made for the pleasure
and comfort of visitors. No eXtortiOn is
permitted"