Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-13
NUCLEUS OF NEW MUSEUM
Library Board Receiving Many Donations
from Exposition Exhibitors.
ONLY A FEW THINGS ARE YET UNPAcKeD
Boxes and Cases Already on Hand
Indicate that the Collection Will
He Extensive and Valuable from
Every Point Of View.

Omaha'S museum, which is to be a me-
mento Of the Transmississippi Exposition, is
beginning to take shape SO far as that can
be true with a large collection OF articles.
most of which have not yet been u~npacked
and. none yet In place. But the
exhibitors at the exposition. have
shown a commendable degree OF in
terest in the enterprise and articles of
considerable value from a museum stand
point have been freely donated to the cause.
Not all Of these have arrived at the public
library, which is to be the home of the mu-
scum, and no attempt will be made to ar
range them for the convenience Of the pub
lie for two or three weeks, or until all dona-
tons have been received.
OF the few things which are unpacked and
mounted the most beautiful is the plaster
model OF the library building of Column
bia university. 1t accurately depicts the
minutest details of the exterior architecture
Of the building and is a handsome piece Of
work.
There is a collection Of minerals from
western mines which are made to Sparkle
with their particles Of precious metals. and
there is the mineral house which Custer
City. S. D., had on exhibition. A case of
cones, embracing many varieties, is the gift
of Oregon, and samples Of building stone,
mineral rock, coal and quartz are contrib
uted by other states IN the mountain region.
George w. Llninger Of this city has al
ready become u generous patron of the
museum and has loaned to 1t many articles
Of value and interest, some of which he
purchased at the close Of the exposition from
among the exhibits there. Much Of this Is
from the Chinese village. Among them is
a sedan chair heavily draped in
rich and brightly colored silks. in
which Chinese officials are in the
habit of riding. Then there is q
weaving machine. a crude affair, one of
which. it is said. can be found in nearly
every Chinese home. Rude contrivances
which are said to be the character Of farm
ing implements used by the celestials make
up another part Of Mr.. Lininger's loan, and
there are banners and spears decorated In
the unmistakable art Of the Chinese.
Contributions Yet to Examine.
There are a score or more OF boxes which
have not yet been opened containing ma
terial to make up this museum, but the ma
ture OF the contributions can only be
guessed, as none of the boxes will be dis
turbed until arrangements are perfected for
properly displaying the exhibit. Many
other donations which have been promised
have not yet arrived, but will be here in due
time. Among these Is one by the Agricul-
tural department, made up OF the poisonous
plants OF the west, which is believed to be
one of the most valuable adjuncts to the
museum from an educational standpoint. Au-
other is q collection OF asbestos and a third
is a collection Of turquoise and other gems
which is to be sent from Manitou.
Donations are arriving almost daily and
many exhibitors who removed their displays
are expected to send on something suitable
for the museum after reaching home, and
1t Is thought that after the museum shall
once be opened to the public a local interest
will be awakened in it which will induce
residents of Omaha TO contribute articles OF
historical value which they now retain as
private souvenirs or family heiriooms.
The library board has set aside three
rooms on the third floor of the building for
the use Of the museum. They are at the
west end of the building. They are well
lighted and while the walls are now bare
and the rooms unattractive, II will require
little effort to convert them, even with the
collection now on hand, into a resort OF par
amount interest and attractiveness.
The United States government has loaned
a large number OF glass cases and tables
for the use of the museum, including one
large circular stand and case which
occupied a conspicuous place in the
Mines building at the exposition.
These are to be used by the
museum until called for by the government,
which is q period of indefniteness of ad-
vantage to the enterprise. r
Library Also Benefits.
But the museum is not alone a beneficiary
OF the exposition. The library itself has
come into possession OF a number Of valua-
BILE gifts. One OF these is a collection OF
Spanish books, between seventy-fve and 100
volumes. They include generally reports
and statistics treating on Mexico and South
American countries and there are also some
text books.
Another momento Is a picture from the
Boys and Girls building, donated by the