Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-11
GREAT THRONES VISIT
VIRGINIA BUILDING
Professor Jesse W. Everett Tells Of
Opening Day at San
Francisco.
WASHINGTON FURNITURE USED


Everything Is In Keeping With His.
to1c Significance of Replica of
Mt. Vernon-Visitors Take Much
Interest in States Exhibit.
Professor Jesse W. Everett, who was
commissioned by the State Department
OF Education TO assemble the educa-
ttonal division of the Virginia exhibit
at the Panama Pacific Exposition. and
vac, aupseausntiS went to San Fran.
cisco to supervise the installation of
the exhibit. was In n reminiscent mood.
The professor sat at his desk in the
once OF the Virginia Journal of Edu-
eRf1op. on the eighth floor OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce Building, yesterday
afternoon pensively scratching his ear.
The Governors party Is In San
Francisco, I believe" he remarked, re-
fectively, which reminds me Of the
ordeais we folks from Virginia en-
copntered during the two weeks fol-
lowing our entry into that dear San
OF the Virginia Building and essayed
to put George Washington's house In
order"
MANY ADVENTURES
IN PREPARING EXHIBITS
Professor Everett paused and wills
tied in a low key q few bars from
that classic of the vaudeville stage,
Casey Jones"
A grim smile played over his fea-
lures 81 never hear that tune" ne
pursued, but ! am reminded of the
trials and fluctuations that beset us
at Mount Vernon at the opening of
the exposition season. You know, 1t
was Casey Jones. the redoubtable en-
gineer, who
''-tnrne6 n
is what he said
Well all get to Frisco, but we'll all
be dead
Encouraged to continue the story,
the professor settled himself back
comfortably in his chair, and pursued:
San Francisco Thursday morning. Feb
ruary -. The trip out had been de-
lightfully varied and Interesting, and
had met our highest expectations, but
It's close found us somewhat fatigued.
To be interned In a Pullman for six
days Is a decimating experience, where
in cramped limbs, suffocation aud in
sompia play rather grueiling part.
FINDS EXPOSITION OF
WONDERFUL BEAUTY
Early tho next morning Major New
bill, Of the United States Army. an eX-
patriats Virginian, drove up in a fne
car and took us to the exposition
grounds. Tho panoramic sweep Of
three miles was intensely interesting.
AS We sped out Gerry Street and down
Van Ness Avenue. we were amazed to
see how finely the city had been re-
built. The gaping wounds and black
ened scars OF tho terrible earthquake
had almost disappeared, and In their
plnces had como countless homes and
business houses of reinforced concrete.
On the crest OF the avenue we caught
our first glimpse of the exposition
buildings wonderful maze Of cream
colored architecture against the Elim-
mering sheen of the bay Of San Fran
cisco. AS we slid down tho long In
cline. tho Jewel City" seemed to come
out to meet us--n vision of rare and
insxpressible beauty.
Passing beneath the imposing Tow
er of Jewels and winding in and out
finally swung into the coast-iine ave
nue. OF State buildings. How hand :
some they looked as we swept blythe
gorgeous mission plant of California.
the dignified parthenon of Oregon, the
rectangular inn Of New Jersey and
the three stored structure OF Mis-
souri,. a block further on and we
were in front of Mount Vernon, the
Virginia Building.
BANTAM AMONG
Z. TURKEY GOBRLERS
We could not restrain a smile at its
disproportionate size. 1t looked like
q bantam hen among turkey gobblers.
or like a modest quaker maid amid
the gorgeous denizens Of Fifth Ave-
nue.. 1t was at once conspicuous by
its inconspicuousness. Our smile
however, wsf kindly and affectionate.
AS we CROSSED Its simple Threshold,
we felt as though we had come home
AS though we had found a sweet abid-
ing place at last where every nook
-
ries and traditions Of our people! Nor
were we mistaken. for scarcely had
we passed a day in our plain plant
er's mansion" before we felt the dig
nifty Of Its simplicity and the comfort
ing solace Of its welcome. The beauty
Of it's location added to Its attractive
ness Just 100 feet in front OF II 10
the north is the magnificent Bay OF
California, whose waters seem to
catch the play OF myriad colors.
sheens Of old rose. old gold. pale
greens, dull grays and royal puppies.
To the west IL the world-famous Col
den Gate: TO tho south the terraced
battfements OF the Preside and to the
east the broken and ever varied sky
line Of tho exposition buildings.
In addition TO the mansion-hous
the Virginia Commission reproduced
Washington's office and the old kitch-
en-, both In the rear Of and connected
with the main building by picturesque
areades. Entering the hail. we found
the entire foor stacked with boxes
OF exhibits. There did not seem space
TO turn around" We were fairly en-.
compassed by concealed riches
HARD WORK TO
GET THINGS READY
The opening OF the exposition was
set for February 20. Almost before
we knew it the day was upon MS We
did not think IT possible to have ever
one room ready, as it had taken -four
days Of our precious week TO simply
uncrate the exhibits. However,, we
wore inspired by the busy throngi
around US, and at IL o'clock on the
night Of the 18th. we found four room:
within bearable readiness OF the open,
Ing.
Grateful mention must be made o.
the ever-present and most efficient hell