The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-07-07
THE STATES HOME
WAS DEDICATED
1T PIERRE TODAY

uer tne supervision OF the present
commission consisting of Governor
Robert S. Vessey, Secretary Samuel
G. Policy, Auditor John Hirning, and
State Land Commissioner. o. G. Dok-
ken. They have devoted much time
and attention to securing the best it
was possible for the state to get for
the money at their command, and
may we'll take pride in what they
have secured.
Builders Were Conscientious.
In their work they received the
hearty accord Of Contractor o. H.
Olsen; supervisor Of Construction,
Samuel H. Lea; Architect C. E. Bell,
and Decorator William G. Andrews,
Who were apparently as much inter-
ested in giving the people of the
state good work and an artistic build
ing, in which the state could take
pride, as were the representatives of
the state in securing such a structure.
Inc UScO.
The building is constructed of
brown sandstone for the first story
with the rest of Bedford lime stone,
and is three hundred feet in extreme
length, and one third as wide in the
central portion, and is s~urmounted by
a dome one hundred sixty feet in
height. 1t stands on a commanding
Ieminence, with a wide sweep of the
river bluffs as an outlook, and is n
of the most prominent landmarks
Ifnr the traveller entering the city on
the Northwestern road, arriving from
either the east or the west.
In the interior decorations the
building shows at it's best. The ro-
,tunda is a picture in itself. The gen
eral color effect is ivory, blue, tan
and gold, harmonizing with the mar
bic wainscot and columns, and was
planned under the personal supervis-
ion of William G.. Andrews. The mu-
..rral paintings by Edward Simmons
represent the family, mining, agri-
culture, and stock raising. Filling the
circular panels on the pendenties
of the dome are heroic size figures
on a solid Roman gold background,
the color blending with the general
decorative scheme.
Decorations and Paintings.
The lunette at the head of the mas
sive marble main stairway represents
the beginning of commerce, the white
trades is shown seated on the canoe
which he has drawn from the stream
and is dealing with the Indian for a
robe spread out before him.
In the reception room of the gov
ernor the color effect is in deep olive
ones. All the ornament is in re-
lief finished in Florence gold. The
furniture in the room is massive I'M
colored mahogany, upholstered with
leather. The rug and draperies are
in shades of green harmonizing with
the walls. In the mural painting in
the room, by Edward H. Blashfield,
South Dakota is represented as a
beautiful woman in the spot light,
with the figure of hope floating over
her and pointing forward. Trappers
and settlers are beating back and ov-
grooming the Indians who are cling
ing to her garments and attempting
to impede her progress. Outlawry
represented by a dark and hooded
figure is scuttling away into the dark
ness. In the background prairie
schooners of the early settlers are to
be seen making their way across the
prairie. The picture is a strong one
and attracts the attention of all.
In the supreme court room the
general color effect is in browns, tans,
and gold. The mural painting by
Charles Holloway, represents the
Gates of Justice" This is emblem
attic Of justice of the early middle
ages, in the center the spirit Of Mercy
on each side of the guardian of the
law demanding their penalty, while
before them kneel figures of the re-
morsefully guilty and the despairing.
The color effect in the senate rom
is green, ivory and gold, harmonic
ing with the marble wainscot and
columns. The mural painting by
Charles Holloway is a symbolical
treatment of the Louisiana purchase.
The center group tells ofthe acqui-
sition Of the territory of Louisiana by
America from France. Louisiana is
represented as an Indian woman over
whom America is placing the flag OF
the new nation, and from whom the
garments Of France has fallen,
France by her side holds q copy OF