The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-30
EXCEEDS ALL OTHERS
Decorations on Corn Palace Build.
ing More Attractive Than
Formerly.

i ~ - S'e SN
and the magnificent decorations
stand out Respondent; emblematicaI
of what South Dakota produces.
The corn palace idea, although it
had it's fist inception in South Da-
kota at Mitchell twelve years ago,
is still a very popular one with the
people not only of our own state but
with those who have come long dis
tances, many whom for the first
time have beheld the beauties that
have been unfolded by nature and
made symmetrical by the hand Of
man.
The exterior of the corn palace for
this year is acknowledged by all u
citizens to be superior to anything
that has heretofore been presented
to the public. col. A. Robe. OF
Lawrence, Kansas. who did the de-
signing for the decorations. has GER
tainly outdone himself. lIe declared
when he commenced work that he
would give the people ii handsomer
palace than ever before end he has
more than kept his promise. The
designs of the decoration are drawn
on broad lines. where the half ears
of the corn could be used without
cutting it in such small pieces. This
has had the effect of giving the de-
Signs a much higher and broader
effect. and adding a dignity to the
structure that has been absent here
tofole.
Standing diaeonally across the
street southwest of the building one
gets the best view of the two sides
decorated, each side being designed
on a different plan, but larmonizing
in color. On the west sides the work
stands out in large designs. In the
center of the side cubes have been
constructed of red, white and yellow
corn that gives it the appearance of
steps. Other handsome designs are
worked to the top of the gable. and
surrounding it is a we'll defined fleur
de lis. The north upper half of the
west side is covered with diamond
shaped figures of red white and yell
low corn, with a back ground of red.
Below this is a large band of inter-
woven disks, brought out in colored
corn.
The south side of the structure
shows more fully the beauty of the
decorations. The designs are a little
smaller and OF a more varied charac-
ter. Over the two south side en-
frances the designs have been worked
out in scrolls and four leaf clnver
abound in numerous quantities,
rounded out With inlaid floor effects.
Decorator Robe stated he introduced
the four leaf clover to show his good
will toward the institution. that it
might terminate in a grand sue
cess. A band Of Girls cross in shaded
red corn adds to the general decora-
tions. The balcony and gable on the
south side has been treated very
handsomely. On the wall of the bal
cony are three oval figures with full
ears OF corn clustered, the whole he
ing of Pompaiian effect. Ia the gable
over the Balcony are overlapping Cir
Giles that give a pretty effect with
the varied colored corn, small designs
appearing frequently in which wheat
and oat heads have beer used. in a
number OF places on the south side
the decorator has introduced several
Navajo designs that add much to the
general appearance OF the structure.
The six towers have been treated
with a lavish use of corn in attractive
figures. The peaks are finished with
wheat and oat heads, giving them
a solid appearance. From the caves
OF the towers to the band of sugar
cane stalks, which surrounds the base
OF the building, beautiful designs |
have been worked out with corr of
all colors, the blending Of which pro-
duces a rich effect.
The southwest corner tower, which
was left until the last, has been done
in panel work, the center con-
tanning 1904" and above and below
it are pieces Of three leaf clover.
In the panels on either side is four
leaf clover, worked out in solid corr.
a Grecian border at the bottom
rounded handsome and beautiful
piece Of work.
Probably one Of the handsomest
that MIR. Robe has done is the
panel that increases the space
between the lower floor and the bal.
cony on the inside OF the building.
is all done in yellow corn, and is
what is termed basket work, being
composed OF small scrolls and solid
1t is the admiration OF ey-
cry one who sees it and is a wonder
ful improvement over anything
that has ever been put on that panel,
is over l6G feet in length. The
decorations on the nnSts the r%eil,no