The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-07
5O'PER CENT OF
EXHIBITS READY
Wrk of Preparation for Opening
Of Exposition Hurried by
f: Officials.
Walls and Woodwork of Mime
sofa Building Are Nearly
IT, Completed.
Furniture Made by Minneapolis
and st. Paul Manual Train
-, ing Schools. .
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
ST. Louis, April Tho the work
of preparation for the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition is not yet complete,
to the practical observer the present
stage Of it's progress presents as In
teresting a field as the ready-for-
company aspect it will assume
later on.
These last weeks Of finishing and
adjusting the details Of the enterprise
are a continuous hurry and push and
drive, with every available avenue Of
its activities taxed to the utmost. In
fact, the example set by President
Francis audacious flying seventeen
day trip thru Europe has been fol-
lowed energetically by all engaged in
the work, and now, in spite of the nu-
merous difficulties to be overcome, the
finishing touches are being put on,
the exhibits installed, and in a few
more weeks all traces Of the prosaic
will be removed and the ivory city
with its great exhibit palaces, gar
dens, waterways, statuary and bril-
liant illumination will be more COM
plete and wonderful than an Aladdin
built palace.
In one Of the beautiful parts Of the
site, away from the more cosmopoli-
tan portion Of the fair, is the Plateau
of States, natural irregular eleva-
the southeast corner of the grounds.
The spot Is ideal in It's equip
ments for the group Of luxurious
clubhouses that occupy 1t.
They are surrounded by the natural
trees, hills and valleys of Forest park,
and fitted with excellent systems Of
lighting, heating, plumbing, fire and
police protection, fine macadam road
ways and the Intra-mural railway,
which makes three loops thru the
grounds, touching the points Of great
est interest.
The Minnesota Building.
BY virtue of her being hostess to
the states, Missouri's building stands
at the front of the group. directly
south Of the United States govern
ment building; from this point runs
one Of the main drives, with Ohio,
Massachusetts and Minnesota on the
left, and Kansas, New. York and Wis.,
consin on the right.
At the angle where this road di-
vides stands the Iowa building, sur
rounded by Indiana, Mississippi, Ar
kansas and New Jersey. In q valley
to the west, among the eastern state
buildings, are the Dakota sites.
Last Tuesday, General Supertntend-
ent Charles A. Mitchell Of Alexandria,
Mimi, was relieved by Mr.. Gillespie
of st. Paul, who. with his official
retinue, is looking after the interests
Of Minnesota at the fair.
The state building Is just now un-
der Mr. Gillespies personal super
vision, and the work Is being pushed
rapidly ahead; the contractors. Brod-
ericx Sc VIM of st. Louis, are under
penalty Of $50 q day for the time
after April s required to finish their
work.
The walls and woodwork are al
ft,jo 1rei
floor Is being laid, and the plumbing
and lighting will be done In few
days. Mr.. Gillespie and his force
hope to move their office equipment
and to install the furniture within
the next ten days.
In Byzantine Style.
The building is in Byzantine style,
white, built of staff and blocks Of CO.
ment, and has q green-stained roof
There are two stories and a small CEN
trail dome; the first floor is sur
rounded by wide veranda, bordered
with broad balustrades and large urns
each Of which is to contain twenty-siS
varieties of Minnesota flowers kept In
constant bloom.
One happy feature is that the walls
of the main reception hall on the first
floor are composed almost entirely Of
stained-glass doors, which open
throwing the promenade and corridor
into one large area
Near the tops Of these glass doors
loaded in, are the names Of the coun
ties of Minnesota, in groups of four
In addition to the assembly hall. or
the first floor, there are reading-roon
checkroom, information bureau ant
offices; above are the parlors, gov
ernors suite and commissioners
rooms.
The house will be furnished almos
exclusively by the work Of the manua
4x,J,, c,n1,n nf lie ov,I
st. Paul.
For the further adornment Of thi
room, the women Of Pipestone hav
lent their fine pipestone mantel which
was feature Of the Minnesota ex
hibit at Buffalo.
Half of Exhibit Ready.
It is estimated that 80 per cent o
the exhibits Is now on the groun
ready to be placed; that the agricul
tural display Is nearly all In tn
palace of agriculture and the unpack
ing and installing begun. The booth
are almost finished and the design an
color scheme are both practical an
artistic.
Part of the quarry displays fror
Minneapolis, st. Paul and Pipeston
are ready for position in the Mine
and Metallurgy building; also tn
huge model, done in iron. Of tn
Fayal iron mines, showing the surfac
GleVdI1On. Lie Juliet nOIlllSIh COI
tributions to this exhibit are expecte
from Duluth this week.
For several days the greater PAL
of the educational exhibit has bee
delayed en- route by freight congestio
at Alba, Iowa, but this has not ye
resulted In any serious hindrance t
the work of the state managemer
here, as there is ample other wor
to occupy the time for a few days.
BY the middle Of the month, Mi.
Susanna E. Sirwell of Minneapolis wi
be here in charge Of the education.
work. directing it's unpacking an
arrangement. This department wi
show all kinds Of work from all kline
of schools except, 1t Is to be regretted
the state university, which may sti
be represented in some Of the orator
cal or athletic contests.
FOREST LANDS WITHDRAWN.
Washington, April THE secretary
the interior has withdrawn from emit