Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-03-06
GOLD MEDAL FOR
MRS. VESSELS
Distinctive HOnOrS For a
Former Resident Of
Lewiston

The following account from the
Boise Statesman on the awarding to
Mrs. Minnie Vessels of Kendrick a
gold medal for her services to the
state at the various Eastern EXPOSE
lions in the matter of the selection, ar
| rangement and care of the Idaho dis
plays, will be of interest to Lewiston
people because the woman once lived
here.
Mrs. G. T. Stranahan of Lewiston, is
sister of Mrs. Vessels. The latter
once owned a ranch across the Clear
water river from Lewiston.
A Most Delicate Tribute.
| The Statesman articles follows:
One of the most delicate tributes
ever paid by the state of Idaho, and
one of the best deserved, was that
given Mrs. Minnie Vessels, of Ken
drick, Latah county, when the gov
ernor last week signed the resolution
! authorizing the issuance Of a state
gold medal to her for her work In the
Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and
Clark expositions.
The resolution was introduced in
the house by Representative White,
and passed by unanimous vote, with
much applause. 1t went to the SEN
ate, where it had the same fiattering
reception. From start to finish its
path was strewn with roses. The gov
ernor signed 1t without debating on
fits provisions; It was one of the meas
nres that carried its own recommends
ton. And 1t is now fact, waiting
only for the medal to be made AMI
presented by the governor himself.
Recognition Of Services.
The medal was issued for Mrs. wes-
sefs' work in the great expositions In
which the state has taken part within
the past three years. The first was
at st. Louis, where she was largely
responsible for the dainty arrange
ment Of the Idaho fruits and veget-
ables ], which brought to Idaho the
highest honor. the grand prize. for
the best display of fruitA grains ana
farm producs.
Those who saw the magnfhceut das-
play at ST. Louis win never forget II,
nor the surprise among the older states
when idaho made such a showing.
better than they could dream of max
m@ The appropriation was very lin
tied. but the heroic work Of the Idaho
representatives made the little money
bring home the coveted honers.
Interested Thousands
Incidentally. 1t brought Idaho into
the notice of thousands of visitors ana
the state is receiving new immigrants
almost daily who were either directly
or indirectly influenced by the display
at the fair.
The same is true of the Lewis and
Clark exposition. Mrs. Vessels was
the artistic genius who made the real
ly wonderful grain pictures. three of
which are still shown in the state
house, and who looked after the ar
Of the exhibits, so that
Idaho got the gold medal there.
Besides the artistic arrangement of
the exhibits, Mrs. Vessels did what
was more-she infused all who would
listen, with her belief that Idaho was
he greatest state in the whole Union.
There are thousands of people who
'till recall the enthusiasm with which
The told them of the Gem State of the
Mountains.
Native Of Bozeman.
But with all the enthusiasm for the /,
tate there was an admirable modesty !
hat makes the honor the more de-
erved On none of the three grain I
nd cereal pictures in the capitalize 9
wo heroic size pictures in the repre- 4
entative chamber, and the huge state
cal in the Office Of the commissioner {
{ immigration-ls there the name of a
he artist.
Mrs. Vessels Is native of Booze &
lan' Montana After securing a COM
ION school education there. she went a
the business college at Helent. ib
alter she went to Spokane. She mar
ed M. J. Vessels at Spokane, where =
was in charge Of the Nee Perez .
ounty exhibit at the Spokane Indus .
ial exposition. in 1890. With her hus- .