Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1904 — ALL THE STATES AT THE WORLD’S FAIR. [ARTICLE]

ALL THE STATES AT THE WORLD’S FAIR.

Manx Bsauttful Pavilions and Prstan* tloua Buildings 0ho«i Forth ths Entsrpriss of American Commonwealths. A beautiful city has grown up among the trees on the World’s Fair grounds at St Louis. It has nothing to do with the immense exhibit palaces, but is a thing apart. The bouses in this new city are of various styles of architecture. Some are palatial In size and appearance! while others look merely cozy nnd Inviting. Never before have so many notable nnd historic buildings been constructed In one group. This new city might be called the City of the States, for the houses Included In It are the state buildings at the Fair. Tbe city Is not compact but somewhat straggling, as befits the pietur esqueness of the view. Yet there Is nothing suggestive of a Strlngtown-on-the-Plke about this city, for the grounds surrounding each of the houses are beautified with gardens typical of the state represented. All the states are to be represented at the World's Fair. This means a great deal, a shining triumph for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, nnd furnishes another Illustration of the fact that this Exposition’s completeness Is the marvel of the age. Fifty-one states, territories and possessions of the United States have taken the steps necessary to participate In the World’s Fair on an important scale. But two states were still outside the fold at the last report, and In each of these was a well defined movement in favor of being represented at the Fair with buildings und exhibits. New Hampshire, the old home state, and Delaware are the states referred to. In New Hampshire a fund for participation Is being raised privately by patriotic citizens, so that In the event of legislative Inaction this commonwealth may be represented.

The states and territories are expending over $7,000,000 In their efforts to show off to best advantage at the Exposition. This ls a million and a third more than was expended at the CLJcago exposition by tbe states. In addition to this, large cities in many 6tates will have municipal exhibits, the funds for which are not Included In these figures. The municipal exhibit Idea ls entirely novel. From a number of the states there will be prominent county exhibits provided by special appropriation of county funds. This City of the States presents a picture of surpassing beauty. Nature has done much to aid In the creation of the picture. Never before has any exposition been able to grant such advantageous sites for state buildings. The buildings are situated on a plateau about seventy-five feet higher than the level ground to tee north upon which stand the main exhibit palaces. There are hills and ravines here and there, enabling the landscapists to lay out a most delightful pattern of roads and terraces and lawns.

The smallest of the state buildings Is that of Arizona, which stands near the southeastern entrance to the grounds. One of the largest is that of Missouri, from the dome of which it Is said that perhaps the very finest view of the Exposition may be enjoyed. This building is a palace in the Italian renaissance architecture, built at a cost of $105,000. Near by is the reproduction of the Cabildo at New Orleans. In which the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies took place—Louisiana’s state building. Ohio has a clubhouse of highly ornate design, in the architecture of the French renaissance. Illinois is prominent with a most pretentious structure, with wide verandas and a commanding cupola. A description of each of the state buildings, with any detail, would more than fill a newspaper page. It Is only possible here to hint at some of the interesting structures. California, for instance, has reproduced in exact size the famous old La liabida Mission. Connecticut presents a replica of the Sigourney residence at Hartford, home of the poetess Lydia Huntley Sigourney in her time. This building Is said to be the finest specimen of purely colonial architecture now standing. The New Kentucky Home, from the Blue Grass State, is a handsome clubhouse that would make some of the mansions along Fifth avenue. New York city, look insignificant Beauvoir, the quaint old house which Jefferson Davis owned and occupied for many years, is reproduced by Mississippi. Its wide verandas or galleries give It a most Inviting appearance. Washington’s headquarters at Morristown, N. J., are reproduced by New Jersey. Virginia contributes Montlcello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. The state of Washington contributes a structure of unique design. It is called the W r lgwam, five stories high, built of wood from Washington forests. The building Is octagonal, with gigantic diagonal timbers rising from the ground and meeting In an apex ninety feet in the air, above which is built an observatory, from which a splendid view of the Exposition may be had. An elevator will carry visitors to the observatory. New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, Colorado, West Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas and many other states are represented by buildings which cannot fail to arouse admiration. The Texas building Is in the shape of a five pointed star, an appropriate idea for the big Lone Star State. lowa has a magnificent mansion, with classic porticoes and a central tower containing an observatory chamber. Kansas, Indian Territory and Oklahoma each uphold the growing reputation of the southwest for enterprise and fertility of resources. •