Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-29
AKOUN's MYSTERIOUS ASIA
A Tribute to the Pike at the ST.
Louis Exposition.


While the various cOnceSSionarieS
at previous eXpositions have endeav-
Ored TO reproduce the midway attrac-
ton, the wonderful mysteries of the
oriental, eastern countries. it has re-
manned for that typical chronological
artist, CASTOR Akoun, to bring before
the visitors at the st. Louis purchase
exposition an aggregation of the mag
nificent splendorS of oriental life in
the east which for brilliancy, magni-
tude and active natural portrayal by
means of real life exhibits has, I'M
dOubtedly, eclipsed anything in this
| line ever before attempted.
Mr.. AkOun, who is a Partisan by
birth. has the advantage of former
experiences at no less than y previous
! eNpOSitiOnS, where his marvellous sue
cess were continually repeated, and as
| a successful caterer to an amusement
! loving public his fame spread far and
wide.
The general plan embraces a most
interesting representation of Asiatic
countries, including faithful reproduc-
| lions of the most historic and educa-
tiOnal buildings of India, the Mahal
| temple of Agra. the Rain Sipri of AL
miadabad, street reproductions from
| historical Delhi, Calcutta with it's pic
! turesque bungalows, and decorated
| buildings, grill workers, with their
actual material. such as mosaic and
| seramic panels, carved in inlaid wood.
Bazars teeming with commercial ac-
| tiyity, with native vendors in the
/ picturesque costume of their native
/ IL
| Ceylon, with its attractive tea houses
and lliOsks. inside of which the visitors
witness the process of drying and roll
| ing tea, which is served by native
| Singalese in purely oriental fashion,
| Burmah. the land of white elephants,
| its idOlatTous inhabitants and the Col
den Temple of Rangoon: Burmese mu-
| sicians playing upon their peculiar ma
! tive instruments and Burmese dancing
| girls doing their fantastical and Teli-
gious dances. A point of interest. is
| Persia, the mysterious country of
Asia with its rug markets, architecture
al buildings, caravans. sedan chairs.
drOmedarieS, etc. In the baZars are
seen types of Persian traders showing
the art of weaving rugs. There are
brass chiselers, candy makers. fortune
tellers and fakirs displaying and sell
ing their wares, consisting of silks,
draperies, laces, ornaments. embroi-
deries, jewelry and other articles seen
in course of manufacture by natives.
In connection with this special
amusement feature is a beautiful and
conspicuous building erected in the
original oriental style of architecture,
known as the oriental theatre, where
performers from the oriental coun-
tries appear in numerous and anus
ing features. Nautch, jar, castanette
and all characteristic national dances
are given in the oriental style of
their respective countries. Grand par
AIDES, representing the rajah and the
gorgeous Durbar festival, take place
hourly On a gorgeously caparisoned
elephant. driven by HindOos, holding
heavy silver spears and attended by
native musicians beating tom-toms
and playing upon flutes and other ma
tive instruments, the rajah is seated
in a golden embroidered hoodah. Ele-
plants carrying kiosks loaded with
passengers are followed by a multitude
of singing and shouting natives, riding
IN every description of conveyance
typical of their native countries. The
entire production cost over 100000.
For the past two years Mr.. Akoun
has had abroad special representatives
in search of new attractions, and at
considerable risk and expense, OBJ
tanned the consent of the various
tribal kings and rulers TO allow their
subjects to leave their native coun-
Try. In the entire reproduction there
are upwards of $50 people, including
men, women and children.