The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-11-26
EDITORS AT ST. LOUIS.
The Southwestern Iowa Editorial
Association Visits the St. Louis
Exposition Grounds.

the members of the Southwestern Iowa
Editorial Association at Abba on the
evening of Nov. 18th, 73 ladies and
gentlemen left Abba over the Wabash |
Railroad at 1890, occupying two special
Pullman sleepers, Hamlet and Cliveden,
which had been chartered from the Pull |
man company for the trip to st. Louis
to visit the Worlds Fair which will be |
opened next May. The trip was taken |
through the courtesy of the Wabash
company arrangements having been
made through Mr.. s. G. Crane, the gem
eral passenger agent, for the entire
party to make the round trip over their
road.
The party was safely esconced in the |
sleepers, the only person not getting
aboard being the secretary, who had
left the cars to secure a supply of fold
ers for the party, and the train uncere-
moniously pulled out and left him al
though he established a reputation as
sprinter for 1900 feet but could only
get close enough to talk with swelled
head brakeman who refused to pull the
air cord and stop the train, so the secre-
tary was left and with him the transpor-
tation for the entire party. Diligent
use of the telegraph wires prevented
the special cars being set out and the
party reached st. Louis at $3.50 Friday
morning two hours and a half late, the
secretary joining them that afternoon at
1:45. Arriving at the Union depot in
st. Louis the entire party breakfasted
at the dining room at the station, after
which they were met by the representa-
tives of the Worlds Fair and taken to
the fair grounds where luncheon was
rendered them in the administration
building and the editors introduced to
number of the officials. After luncheon
carriages were provided and the entire
party was driven over the grounds,
affording an excellent opportunity to
see the progress made on the buildings
and grounds. The grounds and build
ings must be seen to appreciate the
magnitude of the coming fair, for it far
surpasses the Chicago Worlds Fair,
Which was supposed to be the top notch
in positions for many years to- come.
The Chicago grounds contained 6333
acres while the st. Louis exposition
covers 4 ,240 acres, just about double.
All Of the main buildings and many of
~.
the state buildings are enclosed and
covered with white staff the work being
so far progressed that it continue un-
interrupted during the winter months.
In a conversation with President Fran
els of the Exposition company he assur-
ed us that if necessary the exposition
could be opened at thirty days notice,
and we believe he is right. There are
nearly 5000 .workmen now employed on
the various buildings and grounds and
everything is being rushed to the
utmost limit, as the officials are insist
ing that every building be finished and
all Of the exhibits be placed before the
official opening of the fair, which will
be a great improvement over Chicago
where many of the buildings and ex-
hibits were not completed for couple
of months after the fair was opened.
The main buildings are simply grand.
The largest building is the Agricultural
building which is 500 feet wide, 1000
feet long, and covers an area of thirty
acres. It cost $5b0,0O0. Just think of
that and you will have a faint concep-
tion of the magnitude of everything
connected with the exposition. The
approximate cost of the exposition is
$50,000,000, and of this sum st. Louis
contributes S10,000,0O0. Over fifty
foreign governments will make displays.
There are 35 miles of gravel and asphalt
roadways. There will be rose garden
rose bushes.
Returning to the city after spending
a delightful afternoon at the grounds
the editors divided up into numerous
theare parties and attended the various
attractions.
Saturday morning was spent in view
ing the sights Of the city and at IL
O'Clock special train took the party to
the fair grounds again where luncheon
was rendered them at the Iowa building
where the entire party was photo
graphed and had the pleasure of meet
ing President Francis, the head of the
exposition. The Iowa building is prac-
tically completed and Iowa enjoys the
distinction of being the first state to
entertain guests in the Worlds Fair
building. In the main apartment at the
west end of the pavilion long tables
were placed, elaborately decorated with
flowers, ribbons and handsome service.
Covers were laid for over 100 guests,
and every seat was taken.
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