The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-08-23

II IOl 1OlY u ~ A1u0l w oSSAA ~ ~
appreciated.
The building was erected and dec
Grated at a cost of $4,000, but the
fondest hopes of the promoters were
realized. At the close Of the first
exposition which lasted ten days,
when all expenses had been paid,
there remained a surplus in the treas
ury of nearly $4,000.
The second exposition was held in
1898. Each year it grew in favor
with the people. Then came those
memorable years which paralyzed
business all over the United States,
and not outstanding the splendid
success of the previous years, it was
thought best to discontinue the an
nual festival until the nation should
recover its normal prosperity. Ac-
cordingly no exposition was held III
til 1900. The citizens then again re-
organized by the reelection of l.. o.
Gale, president, II. H. Hitchcock,
secretary, N. L.. Dawson, treasurer,
DR.. r. f. Dundas, superintendent
and Robert Burns, advertising man
ager; since which time D.. w. Bur-
right, w. e. Turner and j. K. Smith
have served in an official capacity.
Since its reorganization in 1900,
this magnificent fall festival has
grown in popularity with each sue
ceded to be the greatest attraction
ceeded to be the greatest attraction
in the Northwest. Bands and other
attractions that can ordinarily be Sc
cured by the very largest cities are
anxious to come to Mitchell, and dur
ing the last six years some of the
worlds gratest bands have furnished
the music, viz: Phinney's U. S. Band,
DeBaugh's Twentieth Century Band
of Chicago, Banda Rosa and Sou
sa's famous band. The attractions
alone cost the city more than $4,000
each year, to say nothing of the corn
palace itself, which is worth going
thousands of miles to see.
So large were the crowds that daily
visited the palace during the years
1903 and 1904, that three concerts
were given daily, and the large au-
ditorium, holding fully $4,000 peo-
pie, Vas filled to overlooking at each
performance, and thousands went
away without attending the concerts
at all. So large, in fact, was the at
tendance in 1904 that the old corn
palace was found to be wholly in
adequate for the entertainment Of
the immense throng of visitors who
tlocked to the city from every direc-
ton, on every train, during the en-
tire exposition week. Realizing this,
the executive committee decided to
build a new palace for 1905, which
would not only be much larger than
its predecessor, but would far sur
pass it in architectural beauty, safe
ty, acoustic properties, and all other
requirements of a magnificent palace.
Though the utmost economy was
practiced in it's construction, the cost
of the new building, when completed,
was owe $4,000.
The new structure stands at the
corner of Main and Fifth streets, just
one block north of the site of the
former palace. 1t is 100 by $50 feet,
with an addition sc by SO feet on
the north, in which is located an
elevated stage. In the center of the
building is a large tower 100 feet
high. On the south and west sides
are other large towers with smaller
ones between, each supporting a staff
from which "Old Glory" floats to the
breeze. A portion of the interior is
set apart for county exhibits and
here may be seen the products Of
ranch, farm and garden, which for
Equality and variety cannot be sur
passed by any agricultural section in
the world, every article exhibited be-
ing the product of the fertile fields
of South Dakota. In the gallery are
booths decorated with designs and
figures representing every department
of the household and innumerable
scenes Of every description, all made
from the products of the farm, field
and garden.
The main auditorium has a seat
ing capacity of 1000 and the gallery
1000, and during every concert dur
ing the exposition of last year, this
capacious hall was filled to overflow
ing and the thousands who attended
were enthusiastic in their praise of
the beauty and grandeur of the pail
ace itself and the excellence of the
entertainment which was furnished.
The decorations, both interior and ex-
terror, are of the same general char
acter as those of previous palaces,
las