The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-05-14
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM THE WORLDS FAIR.
BLOCK 7, PALACE OF AoRIcULr

of advantage to them.
The Worlds Fair grounds are situated four
miles west from Union Station. The Wabash
steam railroad runs the distance In about 10
minutes, charging ID cents fare direct to the
main gate, which is at the northeast corner OF
the grounds. Street cars also run direct from
the station to the main entrance. You should
70 to the main entrance first, as from this point
you get the best view of the great Festival HAN
and cascades, which will be described later.
Contrary to the general belief that these
Western States are all level, st. Louis Is noted
for its pretty scenery. From many OF the nlgn
points can be seen for miles around the piuns
and valleys. The city lies along the banks of
the Mississippi. which is the shape of crescent.
This is the character Of the fair grounds, it be-
ing undulating. The grounds are oblong, 1mile
wide on the east and west sides and TX miles
long on the Forth and south sides, SO that the
fence surrounding it. 81 miles in length. Now
as you read this just measure in your mind IN
miles along your road from your house and
mile across and you have the size-l.2lO acres.
1t does not look that big. because there IL 30
much to see that you have walked mile before
you realize it. Inside the grounds it required
is miles of railroad track to carry material and
exhibits. This is done by the Terminal Railway
Association, that receives goods from the ~
railroads coming into st. Louis. The Intramu-
ral Railroad has 70 miles Of tracks sqcircling me
ty, the fare being 10 cents.
The fair commemorates the one hundredth
anniversary of what is known az the Louisiana
Purchase. This was the buying from France in
1903 for $15.OOOO0O all that tract OF land then
known as Louisiana, which now is known as Lou
isiana, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas. Iowa, Nebras-
ka, North and South Dakota. Colorado. Wyoming,
Montana, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Indian Ter
ritory, and is greater in area than France, Ger
many, England, Scotland, ireland, Wales, Bel
GUM. Italy and Spain. Negotiations for the
purchase of this vast tract. which was then
mostly wilderness. was conducted by Napoleon
Bonaparte, First Consul of France; Marbois,
the French Minister; Robert r. Livingston,
United States Minister to France, and Thomas
Jefferson, President. 1t is strange coinci-
dence that President Thomas Jefferson lived at
Charlottesville, Va, where Lewis and Clarke, the
explorers of the Louisiana tract. were born !:
also that Clarke afterwards lived close to where
the fair grounds are located.
It is very fitting that the event of the acquisi-
ton Of this vast tract should be celebrated by
the people of the United States and that all the
nations should join US. Russia, since the stand
the space allotted for her Government Build
ing, while the Japs have forged ahead and have
wonderful exhibits in the Art Palace, Varied
Industries Building and other buildings, and
have also their Government Building, all of
which will speak of later. They are nearer
complete in their entire exhibits than the Amer
cans. They are very courteous and gentleman
ly and take gracefully the praises heaped upon
them for their fine exhibits made here while
laboring under their troubles at home.
On January 10th, 1899, convention was held
in st. Louis when 90 delegates from the states
and territories Of the Purchase, appointed BY
their respective Governors, were present, and
Hon. David r. Francis. who is the president of
the fair, was made chairman. 1t was decided to
spend in celebrating SIS 900, equal to the pur
chase price. The amount actually spent is over
$50,0O0,000. Its immensity can be best shown by
comparing the acreage with other expeditions
Centennial. Philadelphia, 1876 238 acres; Paris
1900, 1886 acres Pan-Americau, Buffalo, 1901, 800
acres; Worlds Columbian Exposition, Chicago
1893, 633 acres; this Jumbo" 1,240 acres. The
largest building ever erected for single de-
partment is the Palace-of Agriculture, covering
20 acres. In it the states and territories of the
Purchase are vying to Guido the other in their
wonderful displays made out of the products of
their respective states. 1t is worth trip to see
this building and the exhibits, the greatest ever
made.
The nneRiBee Aaf % fn ffh0ifhst11es was
Counting those who entered in carriages of in
vited guests and officials, laborers and others
who remained on the grounds over night at
work, it is estimated the number present at the
opening was 1S7, 600. The number in attendance
at the opening of the Chicago Fair was 137. 900,
and at the Centennial, Philadelphia, 5000. The
crowd was handled well by the street car lines.
Board and lodging can be gotten reasonably-$1
per day for lodging, or as low as $40 per week,
including three meals. All should arrange to
come for week or more. W. ii. r.
THERE Is an old record in the archives Of
the New York Historical Society that contains
a complete list Of the persons who owned car
riages in New York city in ITO. There were
in all eighty-fve vehicles, belonging to fifty
nine men and women of the greatest social
importance. Twenty-six were coaches, thirty
three chariots, or post-chaises and twenty-six
phaetons. All were importations from France
or England. To own q carriage was in those
days considered a mark Of highest respecta-
bility. The elegant postchaise, or chariot,
development of the sedan chair, was the most
perfectly designed carriage ever built. It is
seen at this day only in monarchical countries
where it is used at royal receptions and other
grand occasions. Our very old citizens can re-
member when carriages were first seen at rural
churches and about the only light-wheeled
vehicle was the doctor gig. 1t does not take
q very old man to remember such things as
the advent of the match and the departure of
the old fint-lock musket. Il is only eighty
years ago that the first railroad was built. We
seem to think what we have now always ex-
listed. The fact is we are very new in hum
dreds of things, notably in farm machinery.
1t is only few years since that it was neces-
sary to take the picture of the fail out of the
family almanac and that of the fax brake
also. We are living in an inventive age and
changing modes of life with electric speed.
IT 1s said that Mr.. James E. Hooper, who
has been for some time looking around for q
site for cotton mill in the vicinity of Balti-
more, has finally decided on Woodbury. as the
most suitable location. He will erect mill
with from five to ten thousand spindles. Mr..
Hooper was formerly president of the Mount
Vernon W oodberry Cotton Duck Company
and has had a lifelong experience in the
business.
Iusx- Axxxa~t ha- nav Hotal Relvedere was]
opened in Baltimore city Mr.. DIN Bryan, Ell
prominent member of the bar, met with al
serious accident in the hotel elevator that con-
fined him to his home for months and from
the effects of which he may never entirely re-
cover. He has now sued the hotel company
for $4,000 damages. 1t is alleged that the|
machinery of the elevator was defective.
AT THE Philadelphia mint on Monday last
twelve tons of virgin gold was reduced to al
motion state and at the same time the coinage
department began the work of converting the