Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1903-03-06
no FOR ST. LOUIS.

Farmer Wallace Rebukes The Tribune
for Levity in Connection With His
Proposed Plan to Advertise the
Coming Exposition at St. Louis to
Celebrate the Louisiana Purchase.
Editor Tribune:
Your humorous notice of the sug-
gested st. Louis exposition excursion
is unintentionally misleading. Permit
me to place the matter before the pub
lie so there will be no misunderstood
ing. Sometime ago I worte the tx
position management suggesting that
they inaugurate and carry out a
steamboat excursion to the head Of
navigation on the Missouri and return.
in 1904. pointing out the advertising
advantages to the exposition, also to
the several states through which the
Big Muddy runs
The communication was by them re-
ceived. and the reporters with good
noses for items of interest to the pub
lie. published a portion of the letter.
the clipping you published. The re-
naming part is the offspring of your
own fertile mind, and that you may
have credit for a humorous, yet good
suggestion, | will relate an incident.
In 1885 I was with Major R. E. Flem-
ing, general manager of the Dakota
Territorial Exhibit at New Orleans.
A balloon ascension by Professor Arm
old was advertised. I went over from
our Dakota exhibit to ArnOld's build
ing, where he was having the balloon
inflated and asked him to take some
Dakota advertising matter up in the
basket of the balloon when he made
the ascension. and while over the city
throw it Out. He smiled, scratched
his head. and asked: What is there
in it for me-" | asked what he
wanted. He hesitated, Their said. $40"
| returned to our exhibit, told Fleming
about the plan and cost. He said.
Here is the money, take all the fold
ers and other light matter and close
the deal" 1t was done, and that after
noon 5000 "Come to Dakota" Behold
I show We a Winsom Land" folders
were thrown from the balloon while a
mile or more above the city. The fold
ers were scattered cry generally
throughout the city. When the fold
ers were first thrown out from the
basket the thousands Of negros
shouted the "big bird" is shedding his
tail feathers" 1t proved to be the best
advertisement of the time, and received
favorable notice by the New Orleans
and Southern Press.
So your balloon idea is good, but
not new.
Since the publication of the sugges-
ton, I have conferred with Captain
I. P. Baker, Of that old pioneer Ben
ton line of steamers. also with that
veteran navigator. Capt. Mariner, and
they pronounce the steamboat excur
sion suggestion good and practicable,
No governors have engaged state
rooms. The rush for tickets is not like
a college rush. but the lamp under the
incubator is still burning, and while
it is not wise to count chickens be
fore they are Matched. the suggestion
may induce some lower river boat
mar to engage in the enterprise and
carry it to a successful conclusion
Watch the incubator and get the
brooder ready.
In confirmation of what I say please
publish the accompanying letter. then
let us laugh together.
"St. Louis, U. S. A.. Feb. "a, 1903.
Dear Sir:-In the absence of Pres
ident Francis. who is now in England
I beg to acknowledge receipt of YOU
letter of the 14th inst, making
unique suggestion in regard to the ad
vertisement of the st. Louis World!
Fair. Your suggestions have in then
a practical value. as well as original
ity. and they will command the earn
est attention of our division of exploit
alton. The newspapers Of this cit.
commented with apparent favor upol
your idea. I thank you for you
friendly and substantial interest il
the success of an enterprise which nat
urally appeals to every citizen of tn
Louisiana Purchase.
Respectfully,
"W. B. Stevens. Secretary"
Yours.
Farmer Wallace.