The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-08-19

BY cHAs. NJ. REEVES.

SIdtiuCdtiou w miCiiSdh pCopiO w hhu
the Wolverine State ably represented at
the Worlds Fair, and is no less a
pleasure to enjoy the pleasing hospital
ity which pervades the beautiful state
structure bearing the title Michigan. "
1t is no light task to forcibly display
the. wealth of resources Of which Mich
igan can boast, yet every exhibit OF the
state is comprehensive and emphasizes
the fact that Michigan is one of the
foremost states in the Union.
Situated on the main avenue leading
to the Plateau of States and facing the
United States Government and Fish
erie Buildings, the Michigan building
claims the distinction of occupying the
most advantageous and the most COM
manding position to be accorded state
building. The structure in itself is ap-
propriate to this honor and presents a
most pleasing appearance. There are
more splendid state edifices and more
splendidly furnished, yet none possesses
to greater degree the homelike quail
tiles and conveniences for rest and COM
fort, which is so essential to a state
building. 1t is this characteristic
which has made the Michigan building
favorite at the Exposition.
The Grecian style prevails in the ar
chitecture. Broad porticos surround
the sides and front, and furnished with
multitude of willow chairs, rockers
and porch seats, the building is inviting
indeed. The interior with its parlors,
writlngrooms, offices and reception
rooms is decidedly attractive. The
furniture and appointments are pro-
ducts of Michigan and are in harmony
with the building, emphasizing comfort
and ease, and yet not making an at
tempt at elaborateness. Surrounding
the building is rose hedge whose
wealth of flowers and foliage form a
pleasing contrast to the ivory white of
the building.
With the established record of Mich
igan as mineral state, it is but fitting
that the exhibit in the Palace of Mines
and Metallurgy should be one of the
finest presented by the state. This
display is one of the most interesting
to be found in the building and most
convincing in its detail and scope.
The leading and most prominent feature
is copper. Models of the No. shaft
house of the Tamarack Mine, and a
shaft-house stamp-mill of tie Calumet 81
Hecla Mine never fail to interest.
Pyramids of cast copper cakes, wire
bars, ingots, ingot bars, together with
samples of stamp rock, mineral, photo
graphs of mines, copper tubing, sheet
and wire complete the display of this
metal. A mass of copper weighing
1915 pounds and assaying 90 per cent is
evidence of the richness of Michigan's
mines.
With hundred samples of ore, in
Guiding hard, soft and magnetic, and
an extensive collection of photographs
of mines showing both the surface and
workings, the iron indus
try of the state is well displayed, while
another of Michigan's leaders, salt, also
conspicuous attention. En-
closing the entire exhibit is handsome
wall of cement, which forms only part
of an interesting display of this product. |
Over 1900 rare and valuable specimens
charact eristic of the minerals found in
Michigan are shown in glass cases. No |
state is able to make as comprehensive |
an exhibit as the Wolverine, the great |
variety of minerals found in large !
quantities giving it prestige over the
other states.
Through the efforts of special Com |
Michigan is able to claim |
very creditable exhibit in the Palace of |
Forestry, Fish and Game. Enclosing |
the exhibit space is rustic fence and |
arch of Norway pine, from which the |
birch bark baskets filled with northern |
ferns are hung. The foreground is oc-
cupied by long table on which trade |
products manufactured from wood are |
shown. Most interesting of these is
paper produced by the Fletcher Paper |
Company of Alpena. The wood is
shown in the log, chips, cooked, pulp
and paper these being the various stages
Of the wood from log to the finished
product.
The exhibition table is of interest in
Itself, as its front is of the various or
woods to be found in the
state. The variety is surprising. more
than seventeen woods being shown.
Woods for flooring also receive atten-
ion. The sides of the booth are formed
Of slabs both in rough and dressed con-
lition. The rustic background support
ing large mounted photographs is sup
plemented by planks of sundry varieties
If wood, both in rough and finished
state.
A number of interesting facts are
brought out in the exhibit Salt finds
is place for the reason that 4,3s7, $50
,arrels of salt are evaporated with re-
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