Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

Omaha, Neb., July 1O,-One thought
that will come to the mind of the
tourist visiting the trans-M ississippi
exposition perhaps more quickly than
any other, is this: that the expost-
ton is more than it promised to be.
OF course it is not the greatest ex-
position the world has ever had. but
1t is certainly the greatest exposition
ever planned and executed by the peo-
pie OF any one city in America. For
instance, the special buildings-those
that stand along the canai or lagoon
in the center of the main court-they
are far beyond what one would ex-
pect to find when considering this
exposition from the standpoint of the
average western city fair.
Take these eight noble BUILDINGS
mines and mining, liberal arts, fine
arts, government, agriculture, horti-
culture, machinery, manufacturing and
electricity-and see what a splendid
field they cover; see how the exhibits
are arranged, how the people who are
in charge Of the exhibits have prof
tilted by the experiences of former ex-
positions; see how easily the buildings
may be inspected, and above all.
When you see what a magnificent
epitome these buildings are Of the
progress Of the west-then you will.
surely, be free to say the manage,
ment has more than carried out its
promises. .
In the great building devoted to
mines there are many fine exhibits
illustrative of the wonderful pro-
gress made in the development of the
vast mineral resources of the trans
Mississippi region. So marked Is the
interest in mining that one of the at
fractions Of the midway region over
on the other side of the exposition
grounds is a gold mine in miniature,
showing how the work is carried on.
The space allotted to the various
mining states is large and each is
striving to present the finest re-
suits. The fine arts building Is one
of the most beautiful on the grounds,
and admirably lighted. The exhibit Is,
all things considered, and especially
taking into consideration the fact
that great painters and sculptors OF
the old world are notably chary about
sending their works to an exposition
where they fear they will not find
ample sales, very creditable one.
Of course there is much in each
building for the specialist alone and
yet there is much to interest and
educate the sight-seer who has no
hobby. The building of ag-
riculture is among the most inter-
esting, full of novel exhibits and ar
ranged in a most artistic manner.
Certainly there is no more beautiful
building on the grounds, and it is
a model Of rare exposition architec-
ture. Many Of the states have ex-
hibits in this building in addition to
the exhibits which they show in their
fe structure, for, after all, the
Mississippi region is essentially
an agricultural section
1t seems as though the very height
Of decorative agriculture had been
reached in this building. The de-
signs Of many Of the exhibits, done in
all manner Of seeds and grasses and
corn and wheat and what not, are not
only interesting in the extreme, but
artistic. The pillars and ground work
Of the facades are painted a light
blue, on which, in many a dainty
figure and with much artistic re-
suit, the corn and wheat and grasses
Of the state are woven into decora-
lions.