PART 1. FHE OMAHA ! DAILY BEE. PAGES 1 TO 8.
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ESTABLISHED JUNE 19 , 1871. ( WA1IA , SATURDAY MORNING , JANUARY 10 , 1897 TWENTY PAGES. SINGLE f 1T1V.13 CI3NTS.
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I The Great Trans-Mississippi ositioiiw
STB OF TI
INCEPTION OF A COLOSSAL ENTERPRISE
Plan is First Proposed to tbo Transmissis-
sippi Oongro33.
UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED BY DELEGATES
Omaha Ohosjn as the Most Central Mul-
Oontinent Location ,
RECOGNITION ACCORDED BY CONGRESS
fitopa Taken to Seoura Partioipatioa of Na
tion and States ,
PROSPECTS BRILLIANT FOR SUCCESS
lU-cMiril In Dclnll of Hie rrrimriitloii.s
fur ( lie ( irrat IC\iciNllun tu
111llrlil In Oviialui
, 111 JHDS.
Tbo Transmlsslsslppl anil International
Exposition will bo held at Omaha , begin
ning In Juno anil ending hi November ,
1898.
1898.Tho
The original suggestion out ot which the
exposition assumed tangible form was con
tained In an editorial which appeared In
The Omaha Sunday Bee of November 23 ,
3895. This article was as follows :
A TUANSMISSISSII'IM EXPOSITION.
"Tho construction of the transcontinental
railroads gave the first powerful Impetus
to the development of the transmlsslsslppl
country. Twciity-flvo years ago tho-popula
tion of the states and territories west o (
the Mississippi was 6,435,167 , and the states
and territories west of the Missouri were
credited by the national census with a
population of 1,432,890. In 1830 the trans-
inlsslsslppl states contained a population of
1C,170,315 , while the population of the stales
and territories west of the Missouri ag
gregated 0,917,213. In 18CO there wcro only
twenty-one miles of railroad In the country
west of the Mississippi. Today the rail
road mileage In the same region exceeds
65,000 mites , of which 37,000 miles are
boasted by the country west of the Missouri.
"Tho marvelous resources of this vast cm-
plro were only In a measure displayed at
the World's Columbian exposition. In fact
the exhibits of the western states and terri
tories were to a great extent overshadowed
by the International exhibits made at Chi
cago. Of the hundreds of thousands of
people who viewed the World's fair compara
tively few carried away with them a dis
tinct Impression of the productlva Industries
of the transmlsslsslppl states. Even people
who live In this section and who Imvo con
tributed to Its growth do not grasp their ex
tent and magnitude.
"Tho Inspiration for the Cotton States'
exposition now being held In Atlanta doubt
less lay In the conviction that an Inter
state exposition would go further toward
promoting the development of the south
than any other single agency. That the
judgment of the projectors of the Cotton
States' exposition was eminently sound Is
attested by the success that has attended
this great undertaking as regards both the
number and variety of the exhibits and the
financial management of the venture. Not
only liavo the people of the cotton staita
displayed commendable zeal In contributing
toward Us success with their displays , but
Boveral of the Atlantic states , notably New
York and Pennsylvania , are creditably repre
sented. The Atlanta exposition 1ms drawn
hundreds of thousands of visitors from
every section of the country and will bo
tha agency by which a vast amount of new
capital will bo transplanted Into the south.
IMPETUS TO Tim WEST.
"What has been accomplished for the south
by the Atlanta exposition can bo accom
plished'for the west by a Transmljcliulppl
Exposition. With a population of 10,000,000
to draw on and a country prolific In ma
terial wealth , a Trannnilsalcalppl Exposition
would bo an assured success from Its very
Inception. Such an exposition would give
the impetus t'J the wcatward trend of popula
tion and capital for which the people of this
section have been striving. It would make
known to all the world the capabilities of
the great wcat and revive activity In every
branch of Industry and production.
"Tho Tran mlfuls.ilppl congress , which con
venes In this city during the present week ,
la the proper body to toke the Initiative In
formulating the plan for a Transmltsslsslppl
Exposition. Its recommendation In UiU
matter would have great weight with both
the slate and national legislatures. With
out disparaging any other city ambitious ( o
secure the location of such an Interstate ex
position , The lice believed that the claims of
Omaha nro far mipcrlor to tlioso of all other
transmlsslrslppl points. Its location In thn
heart of the continent , midway between New
York and San Kranclsco , makes It alike ac
cessible to people east and west. Its rail
road facilities In every direction are as per
fect as thceo of any city In the MlrsUalppI
Milley north of St. Louis. It Is the center of
the great agricultural belt and within a day's
reach by rail ot the mining region ot Colorado
rado , Wyoming and South Dakota , and
within two dajs' reach of the great mining
ttatcs west of the Heckles , Omaha U flfl near
to tbo Pugct soi'nd country an Is St , Paul ,
DI | nearer by LOO miles to San Francisco
nd southern California.
"It Is hardly ncrcraary to add that what-
vor Is required of 'Omaha or pledged fur
W iiiWjiyiAl8 ;
-
The most Imposing feature of the exposition of 1S9S Is to be the mineral exhibit. It Is proposed to tsct apart a portion of the grounds for this purpose under the designation ot Eldorado. In which a silver
palace Is trt be the central structure. The accompanying Illustration U a sketch made by Mr. S. S. Ileman of Chlcngojono of the architects ot the World's Fair buildings. The building , as proposed , Is to be about 130
feet square , and Its title , "Silver Palace , " signifies the character of the exhibit to be mailo In It. It Is to bci built of metal and silver plated.
It seems very appropriate to select a highly ornate Gothic style of architecture for this bulldlns , as thls'style lends Itself readily , with Its pinnacles , arches , ( lying buttresses and graceful and delicate forms ,
to the Idea usually associated with silver art work. .Milan cathedral has been referred to by a poet as "Frozen Music , " and the sentiment Is fully Justified by the exquisite grace oad lace-like effect ot Its forest of
pinnacles , ( lying buttresses and statuary. It Is from this architectural fountain that the Inspiration for the Silver Palace design was drawn.
If one can picture In hla mind the fairy-like cffrct of silvered pinnacles , crockets and points prcscntlag a ( forest ot spires to the silver moon or the golden sun for their icflectlng and dancing scintillations , a
faint Idea of the character and novelty of the pcsslbllltlcs of this beautiful Idea can be had. It ile only It ! the pro'rlnce of the poet to adequately describe the bewildering beauties and glories of this Fairy Palace.
Truly the possibilities of effects to bo here realized are Illimitable.
Generally speaking , thu plan of the building may be described as a perfect square , surrounded by open arcades and loggias at each story similar to the Venetian palaces. The corners arc marked by octagonal
towers , terminating with spires and pinnacles. These lower lowers will each be 140 feet high. J .
The crowning glory of the palace will be the central lantern or spire , which will be 230 feet high and octagonal In form , and 100 feet In diameter. This lantern Is located In the center of the palace , and Is to
be roofed with glass. Wide avenues will traverse the floor , at the Intersection of which will be placed this lantfrn/iaWcAsrto 'which ' will bo had by means of elevators. These avenues will bo lofty and beautiful In
their cathedral-like proportions and lightness. They are to be covered with glass. In the center of cfich airtlic ioursiuare courts will be a lantern , or dome covered with glass.
The possibilities of the electrical Illuminations arc Inexhaustible , and colored and flickering lights may top the pinnacles and illuminate the crockets , and outline the graceful curves of the flying buttresses. It
Is proposed to house the various silver Interests In this palace fully Illustrating the silver Idea from the mining and smelting to the Illimitable ramifications of the arts , the Industries and finance.
Omaha to make the Transmlsslsslppl Exposi
tion a success , the business men of this city
will carry out to the letter. "
CONSIDERED DY DELEGATES.
This article appeared In The Bee at a time
when the city was entertaining the delegates
In attcndar.ee upon the ( session of the Trans
mlsslsslppl Commercial congress. For a
long time previous to this an Indefinite con-
rcptlon of a plan for a permanent mid-
continent fair and exposition had existed In
the mind of Edward Hoscwater , the editor of
The lice. Thla Idea had been dUcuracd by
Mr. Hcscwatcr with prominent citizens and
It was concluded that the opportunity offered
by the Trarcmlsslsslppt congress should bo
'taken ' advantage of and an effort made to
secure the endorsement of the congress to the
proposed plan.
The matter was laid before the delegates
to luo congress and It Instantly met with
favor. Wednesday , November 27 , Hon. W.
J. Bryan , the president of the congrces , left
the chair and asked unanimous consent to
introduce the following resolution :
Whereas , Wo believe that nn exposition
of all the products , Industries nnd civiliza
tion of the states west of the Mississippi
river , made nt some central gateway
where the world can behold the wonderful
capabilities of these great wealth-produc
ing- states , would bo of great value , not
only to the tranHinlsslsslppl state * , but to
nl the home-seekers In the world ; therefore -
fore ,
Itesolvcd , That the United States congress -
gross bo requested to take such steps as
may bo necessary to hold a trnn.smlssls-
slppl exuosltlon at Omaha during the
months of August , September nnd October ,
1S9S , and that the representatives of such
states and territories In congress bo re
quested to favor such nn appropriation as
Is usual In miclt cases to assist In carrying
out this enterprise.
HECE1VED WITH APPLAUSE.
The reading of the resolution was listened
to with marked attention and the conclu
sion was followed by a burst of applause.
Mr. Uryan briefly recounted the benefits
which would accrue to the west
by reason of the exposition and In
dicated the numerous reasons why Omaha
was the most favorable location. Colonel
John Donlphan of St. Joseph , Mo. , made a
stirring speech In favor of the resolution In
which ho eloquently portrayed the effect the
enterprise would have In calling attention
to the boundless possibilities of the great
west and In building up Its Interests. Ho
was followed by II. O. Whltmoro of St.
Louis , George Q. Cannon of Utah and
Howcll Jones of Kansas. Not a voice was
raised against the resolution , nnd when It
was adopted by a rising vote the delegates
united In a volley of cheers and applause
that continued for several minutes.
Nothing could be moro gratifying than the
enthusiastic unanimity with which the
project had been approved by the trans-
[ Mississippi delegates , and with this favor
able beginning the citizens of Omaha were
encouraged to go forward , The Transmlssls-
slppl and International Exposition associa
tion was formally organized at a meeting
held at the Commercial club rooms on the
evening of January IS. Z. T. Llndsey was
mada chairman and Judge L. II. Hradlcy
presented the articles of Incorporation which
had been previously drawn up. They fixed
the capital stock at $1,000,000 In shares of
$10 each and the association was authorized
to transact business as soon as $10,000 hod
been subscribed. A board of eleven directors
was provided for and also twenty-five vice
presidents , of whom one should be from
Omaha and one from each of the twenty-four
transmlisUslppl states.
OHIGINAL STOCK SUBSCRIBERS.
On tha iugGcitlcn ot Mr , Hoscwater , who
contended that ninety days was too short a
time In which to hold such an exposition as
was contemplated , the articles were amended
to provide that the exposition should be
opened In June nnd closed In November ,
1S9S. They Hero adopted as amended and
the nceessiry subscriptions of stock were
Immediately taken. These original pubscrlp-
tlona were : E. Hosewatcr , $500 ; W. J. Connell -
nell , $500 ; J. II. Evans , $300 ; Dan Farrell ,
Jr. , $500 ; Lee-Clarkc-Androcaen Hardware
company , $300 ; W. II. Bennett , $300 ; J. E.
Market , $500 ; Thompson. Helden & Co. , $300 ;
William Krujt , $500 ; Oscar Plekard. $500 ;
Mctz Uros. , Brewing company , $500 ; Frank
H. Illbbard , $500 ; Dudley Smith. $390 ; Kol-
ley. Stlgcr & Co. , $500 ; John A. Weaver ,
$400 ; A. Clemmcns. $300 ; G. S. Ambler , $300 ;
Z. T. Llndsey , $230 ; Lyman Richardson , $230 ;
C. S. Montgomery. $200 ; L. II. Bradley , $200 ;
I. W. Carpenter. II. W. Hlchardson , W. II.
Hobcrson , George N. Hicks , M. H. DeLons ,
Euclid Martin , J. J. Gibson , J. E. Utt , Hclln
& Thompson , W. C. Billiard , O. C. Holmes.
C. S. Hayward and Johnson Bros. , $100 each ,
and Fleher & Lawrle. G. W. Wattles , J. A.
Wakcflcld , G. II. Payne , G. A. Hathburn and
I. E. Burdlck , $50 each ; total. $10,630.
The stockholders then met and elected
the board of directors , consisting of H. A.
Thompson , J. E. Market , J. H. Evans , G.
W. Wattles , G. H. Payne. C. S. Montgomery ,
W. H. Bennett. I. W. Carpenter , Dan Far
rell , Jr. , Dudley Smith and Charles Mctz.
The board of directors met at the Mlllard
hotel on the following Monday and elected
aa ofilccm G. AV. Wattles , president ; J. K.
Market , vice president ; John A. Wakefleld ,
secretary ; Herman ICountzc , treasurer.
The ncxf step confronting the promoters
of the enterprise wcs the necessity of se
curing congressional recognition. A num
ber of usually public spirited citizens were
dlspossd to regard the whole thing as
visionary , and they Fald Omaha could not
hope to carry the matter to a succetatul
Issue until after a bill making an appropria
tion had actually passed congress and re
ceived the signature of tlio president. The
supporters of tbo exposition conceded the
difficulty of getting an appropriation
through congress In a season of great finan
cial depression and ecocomy. hut they expressed -
pressed the belief that It could bo accom
plished by united and continued effort , and
events have Justified thlr confidence.
'
BILL BEFOHC CONGHESS.
Previous to this work of preliminary or
ganization Senator William V. lAllen , who
has been an earnest supporter of the ex
position project , had Introduced a bill In
the national senate grai ting the expedition
recognition by tbo national government ,
providing for the admission of foreign ex
hibits free of duty and pledging the United
States government to expand not less than
$250,000 for a government exhibit from the
executive departments , the Smithsonian In
stitute , the United States Fish commission
und the National museum of such articles
and materials as would Illustrate the func
tions and administrative faculty of the gov
ernment In time of peace and Its resources as
a war power. A similar bill was Intro
duced In the lioueo tiy Congressman Mercer.
After a stormy passage the senate bill was
passed , after tbo appropriation had been re
duced to $200,000 , tha amount appropriated
for the Atlanta exposition , and a clause had
been Inserted which provided that the ap
propriation should only bo available when
$250,000 $ had been raised by the people of
Omaha. This bill was signed by the presi
dent Juno 10 , 1890.
This action on the part ot congress gave
an additional Impetus to the movement. A
gratia jubilee celebration \vaa held by tha
people living In Omaha and vicinity , a
which time 'It was decided to ptish the en
terprlso with redoubled zeal. Public meet
Ings were held and the people put thsl
hcada together to evolva a plan to push tha
exposition to a successful Issue. As a re
suit of careful study tha articles ot Incor
porallon of the exposition association were
amended to provide for a board of fifty dl
rectors to be elected after shares of stool
aggregating $300,000 sho'jld havo- been sub
scribed. Tl.'ls amount was $ .10,000 more thai
the limit fixed by eongrcci. and once more
the "doubting Thomcscs" were in evidence
They rldlculd the Idea of raising such c
largo sum during a hotly contested presi
dential campaign and In the face of great
financial depression. Thcs' cspcrslcna had
no effect qpon the supporters of the cxpsl-
tlon , however , nnd so-kiting committees bj
the score were appointed..Toe. thorough
ness with which Ihcce committee : ! did theli
work .was shown when It was announced to
the public , early In Novociter , that $330,000
had been sutscrlbed.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
A meeting of the ( stockholders to elect
fifty directors was called to Ijo/lield December
1 and this meeting resulted In the election
of the following fifty men to serve as di
rectors :
William N. Babcock , general manager of
the Union Stock Yards company , South
Omaha.
George F. Dldwell , general manager of the
Fremont , Elkhorn & Missouri Valley rail
way.
Jonas L. Brandcls. senior member of the
firm of J. L. Brandcls ft Sons.
James J. Brown , vice president Omaha
Loan and Triiit company.
Edward E. Bruce , president of the firm of
E. E. Bruce & Co. , wholesale druggists.
Isaac Carpenter , president of the Carpen
ter Paper companyt wholesale dealers In
paper and otatlonery.
John A. Crelghtou. capitalist , vice presi
dent First National bar.k. .
(
Edward Dickinson , general manager of the
Union Pacific railway. "
John H. Evar-i , prcsldcp Tof the National
Bank of Commerce , prcaji it of the City
Steam laundry. j
Dan. Fan ell , Jr. , senior ifcembcr of the
firm of Farrell & Co. , nyrup 'refiners.
Frank B. Hlbbard , oncy of * tlio representa
tive farmers of Douglas county.
Gilbert M. H'ltchcock. ' president of the
World Publishing company and editor of
the Omaha World-Herald. ,
George W. Hojdrege general manager of
the Burlington & Mlsaourljniver railroad.
John H. Husslc , manager of the John
Husslo Hardware company ) retailors.
Walter S. Jardlne , manager of the Omaha
Merchants' Express and Transfer company.
John A. Johr.son , manager of Johnson
Brca' . Transfer line. * , '
Thomas Kllpatrlck , senior member of the
firm of Thomas Kllpatrlck & Co. , wholesale
and retail dry goods. '
Thomas L. Klmball , president of the
Omaha Union Depot company and president
of tlio Union National bank ,
Freeman P. Klrkondall , senior member of
the firm of F. P. Klrkcndall & . Co. , wuole-
nalo boots , shoes and rubber goods.
Louis II. Korty , superintendent ot tele
graph of the Union Pacific railway.
Herman Kountze , president of the First
National bank , t
Dr. 13. W. Leo , phj-Hldan , '
Zachary T. Llnciaey. wholesale dealer In
rubber boots and shoes and rubber and oiled
clothing.
Charles Vf. Lyman , president of the Com
mercial National bank ,
Charlt * F , Manilvrioa , ctccral solicitor ( or
the Burlington & "Missouri Illvcr railroad.
Jacob E. Markel , proprietor of the Mlllard
hotel.
Charles Metz , general manager of the Metz
Bros. ' Brewing company.
J. II. Mlllard , president of the Omaha Na
tional bank.
C. S. Montgomery , senior member of the
firm of Montgomery & Hall , attorncya-at-law.
Frank Murphy , president Merchants' Na
tional bank , president of the Omaha Street
Hallway company and the Omaha Gas Manu
facturing company.
Alfred II. Noyes , manager for the G. II.
Hammond Pocking company , South Omaha.
George II. Payne , president of the Fi
delity Trust company.
William A. Paxton , president of the firm
of Paxton & Gallagher , wholesale grocers ,
and president of the Paxton & Vlerllng
Iron works.
Edwin C. Price , purchasing agent for
Swift & Co. , meat packers. South Omaha.
Allen T. Hector , treasurer of the Rector-
Wtlhclmy company , wholesale dealers In
hardware.
Abraham L. Reed , president of the Byron
Reed company , dealers In real estate.
EJward Rosowatcr , president of The Bee
Publishing company , The Bee Building com
pany , and editor of The Omaha Bee.
Alvln Saundcrs , president of the Omaha
Heal Estate and Trust company.
Arthur C. Smith , member of the firm of
M. E. Smith & Co. , wholesale dealers In
dry gooJs.
Dudley Smith , general manager of the
Stccle-Smlth Grocery company , wholesalers.
Henry A. Thompson , member of the firm
ot Thompson , Belden & Co. , retail dealers In
dry goods.
Gurdon W. Wattles , vice president of the
Union National bank.
John L. Webster , attorncy-at-iaw.
Charles F. Wcllcr , vice president of the
Richardson Drug company , wholesalers.
Lucius Wells , member of the firm of
Deere. Wells & Co. of Council Bluffs , la. ,
lealcrs In agricultural Implements.
John C. Wharton , nttorney-at-law.
Robert S. Wllcox , manager for Browning ,
King & Co. , clothiers.
Charles M. Wllhelm , treasurer of the
Orchard & Wllhelm Carpet company.
Casper E. Yost , president of the Nebraska
Telephone company.
Fred M , Youngs , president of the Print-
ng Pressmen's union.
OFFICERS OF THE EXPOSITION.
The Board of Directors , after full and
careful consideration , decided upon a plan of
organization which provided for the usual
officers and an executive committee of seven
uembcrs , each of whom should be the head
of a department. The following officers and
executive committee were then elected :
Gurdon W. Wattles , president ; Alvln
Saunders , resident vlco president ; Herman
Kountzo , treasurer ; John A. Wakcfielcl , sec
retary. ' '
Executive Committee Zachary T. Llndsoy ,
chairman and manager Dapartment of Wnyn
and Means ; Edward Hosewatcr , manager De
partment of Publicity ; Gilbert M. Hitchcock ,
nanagcr Department of Promotion ; Freeman
> . Klrkendall , manager Department of Build ,
ngs and Grounds ; Edward E. Bruce , man-
tgcr Department of Exhibits ; Abram L.
Iced , manager Department of Concessions
and Privileges ; William N. Babcock , man
ager Department of Transportation.
The articles of Incorporation of the expo.il-
Ion provide that each of tbo transmlsshslppl
tales shall bo represented by a vlco presi
dent to bo appointed by the governor. In
ccordanco with thld provision the governors
f thceo elates wcro requested to make their
ppolotuicote and up to tb.ts. time sixteen
have responded and the vlco presidents
named arc1 as follows :
Iowa. Hon. George F. Wright , Council
BlutVa ; South Dakota , Hon. Thomas H. Wells ,
Hot Springs ; Nebraska , Hon. William
Neville , North Platte ; Missouri , Hon. John
Donlphan , St. Jcseph ; Kansas , Hon. C. A.
Fellows , Topeka ; Arizona , Hon. Charles R.
Drake. Tucson ; California , Hon. George W.
Parsons. Los Angeles ; Texas , Hon. Gus Hey-
mershoffer , Galveston : Oklahoma , Hon.
Eugene Wallace , Oklahoma City ; Idaho , Hon.
B. P. Shawhan. Payctte ; Nevada , Hon. Wil
liam J. Wcsterflcld , Reno ; Utah , Hon. Lewla
W. Shurtllff , Ogden City ; Colorado , Hon.
Henry P. Steele , Denver ; Now Mexico , Hon.
L. Bradfo'.d Prince , Santa Fe ; Oregon , Hon.
B. S. Cook , Salem ; Alaska , Governor Jamco
Shcaklcy , Sltka.
The subscription list having passed the
$100,000 mark , the officers of the associa
tion wcro Iiihtructcd to notify the Treasury
department that the conditions In the act of
congress making provision for a government
exhibit had been complied with. A certificate
was accordingly prepared , setting forth that
bon.a fide EiibscrlptloriH to stock had been
made by solvent persons , firms and corpora
tions to the amount of $420.000. The docu
ment was passed on by the secretary of the
treasury and the secretary of state promptly
took steps to Invite foreign nations to
participate with the government In tbo Inter
national exposition.
CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE AID.
About this tlmo a bill was Introduced
In congress Sy Congressman Mercer which
amended the former act and provided for an
appropriation of $200,000 for a building for
the govcrnrrcnt exhibit and an additional
appropriation of $300,000 for the transporta
tion and piorer arrangement of the exhibit.
This mcai-uro Is now before congress and
many of the senators and congressmen rep
resenting the transml.slaslppl states have
pledged their support to the bill , eo that Its
ultimate pastngo at this Kcwdon of congress
may bo considered as assured.
In the meantime the promoters of the ex
position have established a new mark and
have determined to Increase the stock sub
scription list to $1,000,000 , the limit
authorized by the articles of Incorporation.
There are ciumgh subscriptions now in sight
to Increase the list to nearly $000,000 , and
great efforts sro to bo put forth at once to
Increase the amount to the limit. In view
of the comparative case with which the first
half-million was raised no great difficulty Is
anticipated in doubling the amount.
The legliJntures of many of the trans-
mtaslsslppl Blatcri are now In session and
several of the governors , la their messages ,
have rccoitmi-ndcd liberal appropriations for
the purpose of enabling their states to make
creditable exhibits ,
The legislatures of but two states mot In
1895 Iowa nnd Louisiana. The Iowa
legislature made an appropriation of $10,000
for preliminary work and promises were
made of a liberal additional appriprlatlon to
be made at the special eesslon of the
legislature now in progress.
The Louisiana legislature was not approached
preached until the time for Introducing bills
had paeoed , but the proper authorities wcro
Instructed by resolution to prepare a crcdlta-
bio exhibit and a liberal appropriation for
that purpotiuatt pledged.
Bills are being prepared by friends and
supporters of the expcsltlon In all of the
transmlfiBluilppI states providing for Btato
exhibits , and these will bo Introduced In
duo time. On January 13 a bill was In
troduced by lion , Dudley Smith In the liouao
of representatives of the Nebraska legis
lature , appropriating $300,000 for the ex
position , On January 14 a bill was Introduced
In the Illinois legislature for an appropria
tion of f 100,0.00 for an exhibit by that state ,
STATES REPRESZNTED IN THE EXPOSITION
nicUlen Wealth Yet to Ba Brought lute the
World's ' Markets.
VAST COUNTRY BUT PARTLY DEVELOPED ,
Oharactor of the Products that Will Ba
ExhibitcJ.
UNEXCELLED INDUCEMENTS FOR SETTLER3
What tha Transmitslssippi Exposition Will
tauil For.
LATEST AND MOST RELIABLE STATISTICS
Di'M'Hptlvc Account of tin * A
ami Ili-NOiirccN of ( lie ( it-cut
'I'm UN in I MS I KM ! ppl Slat ON
ami Territories.
The nineteenth century , nnd moro cs
pcclally the latter half of It , has witnessed
a marvelous development of material re
sources and colossal Incicaso In wealth In
the United States. This unparalleled mate
rial progress Is meat notable In that portion
tion of the continent lying west of the MIs
slsslppl. In this domain agriculture finds
a most prolific s-all , which , when fully de
veloped , can feed the population ot tha
world , while upon Its cattls ranges countless
herds are nurtured on natural grasses. Tha
rice plantations of the gull , states , the wheat
'
field's of Minnesota and the Dakotas , and
the corn belt of the Missouri valley , furnish ,
abundance for the teaming millions. The
granite-ribbed mountains of Missouri , Wyom
ing and Colorado vie with Pennsylvania In
deposits of coat and Iran , which are destined
at no distant day to shift the center of In
dustrial production from the Allcghanlcs to
the Rockies. The petroleum fields ot Wyom
ing will supplant the oil fields of Ohio.
And who can compute the mineral wealth
of the transmtsslsslppl states , with their
mountains of gold and silver and Inex
haustible deposits of copper , lead , zinc and
other valuable products of the mine ? All
these natural products of ( he mountain , for
est , orchard and farm , together with the
handiwork of the artisan and artist , and
the educational advancement made by tbo
people of the west , are to be placed before
the 'world ' In the great Transmlsslsslppl and
International Exposition of 1898.
From this region conies nearly all the ]
gold and silver produced In the United
States , and nearly every mineral known to
commerce Is dug from Its mountains. Be
tween the Mississippi river and the Rocky
mountains lies the granary of America.
Cereals of almost every description are pro
duced In great abundance. The production
of sugar In the United States Is confined
almost exclusively to the stated of Louisiana ,
Nebraska , Utah and 'California. Tbo cotton
of Louisiana , Texas , Arkansas and Ind-lan
territory constitutes one-half of the cotton
raised In the United States , and Its annual
value Is computed to bo $101,000,000. Tlio
timber of the Pacific coast states , Missouri ,
Arkansas , Minnesota and Texas Is almost
limitless In extent and variety.
This magnificent empire , with Its bound
less resources , which have scarcely begun
to bo developed , already has 67,000,000 acres
under cultivation , with agricultural product *
valued at $933,331,920 a y ir.
TIIU QHKAT CORN BELT.
Tlio states and territories west of the
Mlsslrslppl contain the great wheat and corn
belts , which In 1S95 are credited with rais
ing 1,100,000,000 bushels of corn , valued at
5235,000,000 , and 300,000,000 buahels of wheat ,
valued at $135,000,000. The transmlsBls.sIppi
hay crop for 18D5 aggregated 27,000,000 tons ,
valued at 1150,000,003. The Transmlsslsslppl
country Is par excellence the great cattle
raising ground of America.
Perhaps the meat striking proof of the
wealth and resources of the country west ot
the Mississippi is afforded by the statistics
of live stock. The number of horses and
imilffl In the states and territories west ot
the Mississippi was computed to bo 8,403,809 ,
and their value Is catlmatcd at $102,639,621.
The number of cattle la computed at 30,970-
6IC , and their value Is estimated to bo $461-
093,266. The number of fihcep and hogu la
computed at 50,811,000 , and their value $108-
158,075. In other words , the aggregate valua
of the livestock and hoiucs west of tha
Mississippi In round numbers Is $1,031,800-
962.
962.Tho
The mineral wealth of the transmlfisleslppl
states Includes practically all the prccloiw
metals and the bulk of other valuable min
erals produced In the United States. The
annual value of the gold and silver 4nlncd
In the transrnl 3l slppl states exceeds $100-
000,000 , Tbo production of copper and other
minerals exceeds In value the gold and silver
product. The vest ccal beds which for the
most part are lying dormant produce an
aggregate of 0,000,000 tons a year , valued
at from $25,000,000 to $30,000,000.
The country west of the Mississippi la
rapidly extending Its manufacturing capac
ity. According to the moat conservative
ultimate * ) , the number of operatives In mills
and factories exceeds 200,000 , earning In
wages over $70,000,000 a year. The value ot
the product of these factories and mllUj J
computed at $1,367,830,987.
With an aBtcstXHl valuation of real and
pureonul property aggregating over $0,000- $
000,000 , which represents lets than ono fourtb.
of actual property values , Me toffcgt esGffiaU.