Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-08-18
The Mississippi Exposition.
ALetter From Rev. Frank Mcdaniel.

The traveller who chances to be in the
West during these days concludes that
all roads lead to Omaha, Nebraska. This
city in addition to the factthat it is the
metropolis of the State. is also the site
of the great exposition which has been
attracting thousands Of visitors since
| June lst.
| Ii would be difficult to conceive OF a
more favorable location for this greatest
of eXpositions which has ever been pro-
iected west of the Mississippi The city
! lies on high plateau overlooking the
valley of the Missouri river, which at
this point is several miles wide. Direct
" opposite on the Iowa side is located
the sister city of Council Bluffs. Omaha
has a population of $50, 900 and possesses
all modern Improvements. The history
of the city's development reads like a
romance. The first cabins on the west
bank of the Missouri river were erected
in 1854, and the first mile of railway was
laid in 1864. Some idea of the rapid
growth of the town can be gained from
the fact that in the decade between looO
and 1890 the population increased over
100000
The exposition site occupies beauti-
full plateau little more than one mile
north of the central portion of the city.
The visitor reaches the grounds by eX-
cellent car service A careful inspection
of the exposition magnities whatever re-
spect one may have possessed for the
energetic qualities Of the Trans MisSis-
sippians and for the resources of this
western country. OF course, the dimen-
sions of the exposition are not so large
or magnificent as the Columbian exhibit
yet there is not single important fea-
ture of the latter which cannot be found
here. The visitor is impressed with the
peculiar purpose of this celebration,
which is primarily and essentially to
simply represent the progress, resources
and wealth of those States which COM
pose the Greater West.
The architecture of the exposition
challenges large admiration. The great
arch of the gateway is emblematic of
the States participating and it is crowned
by large shield upon which is perched
the national bird. Passing through the
gateway the eye next admires a beauti-
full artificial lagoon which is perhaps
half a mile in length. On either side Of
this lagoon are located the large and
imposing buildings, AT the head of the
lagoon is located the large and majestic
government building. This building at
tracts the attention from afar by its CO.
lossal dome which towers 10 feet above
the ground, and which is capped by
Miss Liberty enlightening the world.
The colonnades which sweep out from
the building connect by beautifully pro-
teCted walks with the ad iacent agrlCul-
tural and fine arts buildings. The eX-
hibits in the former are truly wonderful
and impress the visitor with the miracu-
lous fertility of this soil. The fine arts
building is an attractive style of archl-
tectural design. 1t consists of two sep
arate, symmetrical, dome buildings, con-
nected by an open court. Here can be
seen a choice collection from the finest
private American galleries as well as the
best work Of foreign artists. On either
side OF the lagoon are the mining, the
manufactures, the electrl al and the
horticultural buildings. The mining
building is replete with interest To the
eastern visitor The great West is rich
beyond computation in mineral wealth
and here is such a display which has
never IlUu q bA'AlNdbC III WV iAoNpig VI
eXpOSitiOnS. The manufactures and cleo
trical buildings are replete with inter
esting exhibits The horticultural build
ing is handsome in design and attracts
much attention from it chime Of States.
At sunset each evening a chime sounds
and each bell represents one OF the states
of our glorious union. At the extreme
southern extremity Of the grounds over
looking the Missouri valley are located
the State buildings. Nebraska, Iowa,
Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia,
Montana, Oregon, Kansas and New York
are represented by attractive buildings.
In addition sixteen States have exhibits
in the different buildings Of the eXposi-
ton.
a feature OF the exposition which APP
peals strongly to the traveller from the
East is the chronological exhibition. A
liberal appropriation of the government
has made possible a representation from
every Indian tribe in the country. 1t
has been amply said to furnish the last
opportunity of seeing the American In
dian as savage, for the government
work now in progress will lift the savage
Indian into American citizenship before
this generation passes into history.
Was there ever an exposition without
its midway? The Trans-Mississippi
show takes place second to none on
the amusement question The Chinese,
Moors, German, Irish, Blacks and Eng
lish each are represented by a village.
The Wild West Show, Hagenbeck' S ami
mails and cycloramas constitute the bet
ter element of entertainment. The other
element is there and from all appear
ances reaps goodly number Of shekels.
The Trans Mississippi Exposition is "A
great instructor TO every visitor and
through the press to the nation. 1t
speaks eloquently of those sturdy quail
tiles of manhood which have made our
country the greatest, grandest and
mightieSt nation on earth.
1t is exceedingly timely that it should
occur in this memorable year Of grace.
1t stands before the world as an object
lesson Of the value and worth Of our free
government and free institutions. 1t
stands as rebuke of the croakers Of the
so-called policy Of Imperialism. 1t is to
be recalled that it was once said by emf
nent men that the limit of the federation
of States could not be safely extended
beyond the Rocky Mountains, and that
they also said all others who 60 beyond
the Mississippi river will be lost to the
United States.
The Omaha Exposition furnishes an
answer TO their croaking. There are
those today who delight TO deal much
in prophecy, but let it be remember that
the three qualities Of our national life
q ra hrna Il m n a6 ~, blic Spirit indorni-