USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. II > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
1
402
World's Columbian Exposition.
enthusiasm of the forces at their disposal. Otto Young, D. K. Hill, and others too numerous to name, had pushed the work of personal subscriptions to aid the cause, till over 28,000 persons had taken shares in the enterprise, in sums varying from $10 to $100,000 each. The corporation that had been formed, just before the favorable decision of congress, was com- posed of nearly 30,000 stockholders, small and large, as subscribers to its capital stock. A call for the meeting of them at Battery D, on the lake front, was made April 10, 1890. Mayor Cregier was chosen chair- man, and James W. Scott secretary. To complete this organization, a board of forty-five directors was chosen, consisting of the following persons:
Owen F. Aldis.
Cyrus H. McCormick.
Samuel W. Allerton.
Andrew McNally.
William T. Baker.
Joseph Medill.
Thomas B. Bryan.
Adolph Nathan.
Edward B. Butler.
Robert Nelson.
William H. Colvin.
John J. P. Odell.
Mark L. Crawford.
Potter Palmer.
De Witt C. Cregier.
J. C. Peasley.
George R. Davis.
Ferdinand W. Peck.
James W. Ellsworth.
Erskine M. Phelps.
John V. Farwell, Jr.
Eugene S. Pike.
Stuyvesant Fish.
Martin A. Ryerson.
Lyman J. Gage.
Anthony F. Seeberger.
Harlow N. Higinbotham.
Charles H. Schwab.
Charles L. Hutchinson.
William E. Strong.
Edward T. Jeffery.
Charles H. Wacker.
Elbridge G. Keith.
Edwin Walker.
Rollin A. Keyes.
Robert A. Waller.
Herman H. Kohlsaat.
John R. Walsh.
Marshall M. Kirkman.
Charles C. Wheeler.
Edward F. Lawrence.
Frederick S. Winston.
Thies J. Lefens.
Charles T. Yerkes.
Otto Young.
Two days later, April 12, this board met at the Sherman house, of which Edwin Walker was chosen chairman. At this meeting committees on finance and by-laws were appointed, and at a meeting of the same board, on the 30th following, Lyman J. Gage was chosen president, Thomas B. Bryan, first vice-presi- dent, and Potter Palmer, second vice-president. On May 6, following, the board elected William J. Acker- man, auditor, and Anthony F. Seeberger, treasurer.
403
World's Columbian Exposition.
The secretary's office was only temporarily filled, until July 11, when Benjamin Butterworth was elected. Mr. Gage, the president, appointed committees as follows: COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. Ferdinand W. Peck, Chairman.
Elbridge G. Keith. John R. Walsh.
John J. P. Odell. Otto Young.
COMMITTEE ON GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. De Witt C. Cregier, Chairman.
Owen F. Aldis. Potter Palmer.
George R. Davis.
Eugene S. Pike. Charles H. Schwab.
Joseph Medill.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION. Edwin Walker, Chairman.
William T. Baker. George R. Davis.
William H. Colvin. Frederick S. Winston.
COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL AND STATE EXHIBITS. Erskine M. Phelps, Chairman.
Samuel W. Allerton. Edward T. Jeffery.
John V. Farwell, Jr. Anthony F. Seeberger.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN EXHIBITS. William T. Baker, Chairman.
James W. Ellsworth. Thies J. Lefens.
Harlow N. Higinbotham. Martin A. Ryerson.
COMMITTEE ON CATALOGUE AND PRINTING. Rollin A. Keyes, Chairman.
Mark L. Crawford. Cyrus H. McCormick.
Herman H. Kohlsaat. Andrew McNally.
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION. Stuyvesant Fish, Chairman.
Marshall M. Kirkman.
William E. Strong.
J. C. Peasley. Charles C. Wheeler.
COMMITTEE ON FINE ARTS. Charles L. Hutchinson, Chairman.
James W. Ellsworth.
Robert A. Waller.
Potter Palmer. Charles T. Yerkes.
COMMITTEE ON MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. Adolph Nathan, Chairman.
Edward B. Butler. Robert Nelson.
De Witt C. Cregier. Charles H. Wacker.
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS. Otto Young, Chairman.
Edward B. Butler. Edward F. Lawrence.
William H. Colvin. Cyrus H. McCormick.
Stuyvesant Fish. Andrew McNally.
Harlow N. Higinbotham. Adolph Nathan.
Rollin A. Keyes. Charles H. Wacker.
Herman H. Kohlsaat. Robert A. Waller.
The stockholders of the Exposition held a special meeting June 12, 1890, and changed its name from "World's Exposition of 1892" to "World's Columbian Exposition." This was done to conform to the act
404
World's Columbian Exposition.
of congress, authorizing the Exposition to be held in 1893. At the same meeting the capital stock was increased from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. These com- mittees were elected to superintend the various depart- ments of which the Exposition was to consist. An act of congress provided that the time and place of holding the Exposition should be determined before the Executive should issue an invitation to foreign nations to participate therein; and that notice should be given him that the World's Columbian commission had pro- vided grounds and buildings for its use, and also that $10,000,000 had been subscribed to be expended for its purposes.
It was necessary to settle this matter promptly, but, to the disappointment of the friends of the Expo- sition, a controversy sprang up as to where it should be located, owing to a rivalry of interests between real estate owners of the vacant lands around Washington and Jackson parks, and the owners of property in the heart of the city. The former interest won the victory, and the entire South Park system was handed over to the Exposition company, but not without various legal difficulties to be settled, in order to modify the original chartered rights accompanying the grant of the parks for free public use. The delay occasioned by this issue at one time assumed a serious aspect, lest it should not be settled in time to make preparation for the erection of the buildings for the large number of departments of the Exposition; but when it was settled both rival interests harmonized together and worked for the best good of the Exposition. It was now imperative that the committee on grounds and buildings should act promptly, and in order to facilitate, as well as hasten the completion of their labors, the board of directors created a construction department, of which Daniel H. Burnham was chief, John W. Root became architect, Abram Gotlieb engineer, and Olmsted & Co. landscape architects. The designs of the buildings were the next
405
World's Columbian Exposition.
things to be improvised. To insure this important requisition in a style in keeping with the high standard on which the Exposition was based, a board of consult- ing architects was selected from leading men in that profession. This board entered upon their work with commendable zeal. Foreign talent was also enlisted in the work from New York, Boston and other places. The estimated cost of all these buildings, including the preparation of the grounds, to May, 1893, was $16,075,- 453. This estimate was made with great care, and could not be minimized, therefore the only thing to be done was to hew to this line; and it must be confessed that the various committees, who had taken such im- mense responsibilities upon themselves, had made a heavy draft upon the enthusiasm of the public, as well as the financial element that was to pay the bills. But any misgiving or wavering on their part would whelm the whole fabric in ruin. Fortunately no such signs were shown. The dredging and filling, which must precede the building, was begun February 11, 1891, and continued without intermission till the "White City," as the whole when finished was called, was completed, but not without many changes, modifications and dilem- mas frequently coming to the surface as the laborious months and years rolled on to the limit of preparation. During this period of uncertainty the counsels of Henry B. Stone, Lyman J. Gage and others were of essential service, not to say indispensable, to the suc- cessful solution of the troubles that beset the path of progress of the work before them. August 18, 1892, a council of administration was created to meet new exigencies that came up as the completion of the build- ings was near at hand, when the practical work of the Exposition had to be planned out. All that had been done up to this time would have been a waste of money and labor without executive action from the president of the United States. By act of congress, as already stated, he could not invite foreign nations to participate
406
World's Columbian Exposition.
in the Exposition till $10,000,000 had been raised, and plans and specifications of the buildings had been ap- proved; to meet which conditions $5,000, 000 more must be raised. Although the state of Illinois had, by consti- tutional change, made it legal for the city of Chicago to bond the city for $5,000,000 to the stock company of the Exposition, $6,000,000 or $7,000,000 more were necessary to pay for work already contracted for, leaving still a deficit. Many ways were now considered for raising more money, none of which seemed possible, until a souvenir coin was thought of. This last expedient was submitted to congress, which body, after much hesi- tating, finally voted a sum of $2,500,000 in silver half- dollars, with an emblematic design, so as to enhance their value as a memorial heirloom of the Exposition, the price of which was fixed at $1 each: and from their sale the company expected to realize $5,000,000 as soon as they could be sold after being issued from the mint. In addition to this measure, $5,000,000 in 6 per cent debenture bonds were thrown on the market, made payable by the Exposition company, at their option, after May 1, 1893, but not later than January, 1894.
Neither of these two plans had entirely fulfilled the expectation of the company, in the amount of ready money required, till extra efforts had been made to get the banks and railroad companies to raise more funds. James W. Ellsworth now ably advocated this measure to the various railroad companies, and sold them bonds to the amount of $850,000. Several banks of Chicago also advanced money to the Exposition company, taking the souvenir coins that still remained unsold as collateral security. Neither the banks nor the rail- road companies would have invested with such doubt- ful collaterals, had not the necessities of the case demanded the venture, in order to make a success of the Exposition. They did it while its fate trembled in a balance between hopeless despair and unparalleled grandeur.
407
World's Columbian Exposition.
At an annual meeting of the stockholders of the company on the date fixed by the by-laws, first Satur- day in April, 1891, the following additions were made to the board of directors: C. K. G. Billings, Isaac N. Camp, William J. Chalmers, Robert C. Clowry, George B. Harris, Egbert Jamison, William D. Kerfoot, Milton W. Kirk, William P. Ketcham, Alexander H. Revell, Edward R. Ripley, A. M. Rothschild, George W. Saul, George Schneider, James W. Scott, Bernard E. Sunny, Hempstead Washburne (mayor), John C. Welling. An equal number of the original board retiring, Lyman J. Gage resigned the presidency, William J. Baker being elected to succeed him. Mr. Gage had first accepted the presidency of the Exposition, out of a willingness on his part to make personal sacrifices for its good. The time had now come when its success was assured, and he resigned, owing to the pressure upon his time, of other duties. His administration was one of the highest efficiency, ascribable in a great measure to his signal ability. Mr. Baker, his successor, now appointed the following committees :
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
Ferdinand W. Peck, Chairman.
Lyman J. Gage.
Elbridge G. Keith.
Harlow N. Higinbotham. John J. P. Odell.
COMMITTEE ON GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. Edward T. Jeffery, Chairman.
Lyman J. Gage. George W. Saul.
William P. Ketcham. Charles H. Schwab.
Edward F. Lawrence. Robert A. Waller.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
Edwin Walker, Chairman.
Egbert Jamieson. Erskine M. Phelps.
Ferdinand W. Peck. Frederick S. Winston.
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. William D. Kerfoot, Chairman.
Isaac N. Camp. William P. Ketcham.
Edward H. Lawrence.
Thies J. Lefens.
COMMITTEE ON MINES, MINING, FORESTRY AND FISH. Charles H. Schwab, Chairman.
William J. Chalmers. Bernard E. Sunny.
Robert Nelson. John C. Welling.
COMMITTEE ON PRESS AND PRINTING. James W. Scott, Chairman.
Edward B. Butler. Alexander H. Revell. Milton W. Kirk. George Schneider.
408
World's Columbian Exposition.
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.
Marshall M. Kirkman, Chairman.
George B. Harris. George W. Saul.
Edward P. Ripley. John C. Welling.
COMMITTEE ON FINE ARTS. Charles L. Hutchinson, Chairman.
James W. Ellsworth. Martin A. Ryerson.
Potter Palmer. Charles T. Yerkes.
COMMITTEE ON LIBERAL ARTS. Robert A. Waller, Chairman.
Isaac N. Camp. Egbert Jamieson.
Charles L. Hutchinson. Alexander H. Revell.
COMMITTEE ON MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
Robert C. Clowry, Chairman.
C. K. G. Billings. Bernard E. Sunny.
Robert Nelson. Charles H. Wacker.
COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURES.
Harlow N. Higinbotham, Chairman.
Adolph Nathan. Erskine M. Phelps.
Elbridge G. Keith. A. M. Rothschild.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN EXHIBITS. Martin A. Ryerson, Chairman.
James W. Ellsworth. Herman H. Kohlsaat.
Harlow N. Higinbotham. Thies J. Lefens.
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS. Lyman J. Gage, Chairman.
Edward B. Butler. Edward F. Lawrence.
William J. Chalmers. Adolph Nathan.
Harlow N. Higinbotham. Edward P. Ripley.
William D. Kerfoot. George Schneider.
Milton W. Kirk. Charles H. Wacker.
Herman H. Kohlsaat. Robert A. Waller.
Notwithstanding all these preparations, and the large sums invested in them, Chicago, on the extreme western verge of political as well as commercial forces, had been regarded by the eastern world as a doubtful aspirant for the honors that had decorated the brows of London, Paris and Vienna, when even New York and Philadelphia had been patronized by Europe with but a frugal hand. Owing to this want of confidence in our virgin attempts to honor the occasion with regal dignity, jurisprudence must be thrown into the scale, a mantle of honor must depend from men bred in busi- ness, but not without the native culture and qualifica- tions that have never been found wanting when a test came which was vital to the honor of Americans. To this end a commission was appointed to visit northern Europe, consisting of the following persons:
409
World's Columbian Exposition.
William Lindsay, a member of the commission from Kentucky, and afterward United States senator from that state; A. G. Bullock, member of the com- mission from Massachusetts; Ferdinand W. Peck, chairman of the committee on finance of the board of directors; Moses P. Handy, chief of the department of publicity and promotion; and Benjamin Butterworth, secretary and solicitor general of the World's Colum- bian Exposition, who was unanimously chosen by his colleagues, president of the commission.
In July, 1891, they sailed, and visited the principal governments on the Continent, not omitting many com- mercial companies. On account of the official action which the United States government had already taken abroad, for the same purpose, together with the earnest enthusiasm of the commissioners, tempered with can- dor, a general friendliness to our cause was secured, and liberal contributions of material, in the way of manufactures, curiosities, sculpture, paintings and all the wealth of art with which the old world was en- dowed, were promised. These treasures came to Chi- cago in greater profusion than had hitherto been known to be exhibited at any World's Fair preceding it. Here it may not be improper to say that the press of Europe was enjoying a relief from war's alarms; "balance of power" problems and hostile speculations as to polit- ical possibilities took a back seat, while the arts of peace came to the front; and he who would do anything to substitute "war's wrinkled front" for them would be set down as an enemy to mankind by those inter- ested in the work now in preparation for the fraternal jubilee at Chicago.
Southern Europe had not yet been visited, and to occupy this field in behalf of the ends and aims of the Chicago enterprise Thomas B. Bryan and Harlow N. Higinbotham were selected. Mr. Higinbotham, when alone in London, held an interview with the lord mayor, and was tendered a banquet at the Mansion
410
World's Columbian Exposition.
House, and addressed a meeting of the Society of Arts at that great metropolis. Arriving at Rome, the commis- sioners secured audiences with the Premier, Rampolla, and with King Humbert himself, besides many other persons of note, who were addressed in French by Thomas B. Bryan (that language being best understood by them), all of whom manifested a friendly interest in the cause advocated by these able exponents of Amer- ican progress; for this was the real keynote to the ques- tion at issue, and these advocates were qualified to rep- resent it. In order to finish the work so auspiciously begun, the commissioners visited Florence, Naples and Palermo (where an exposition had just been opened by King Humbert), at which places success attended their efforts; but Mr. Higinbotham then returned to Chicago before all their work could be finished, leaving to Mr. Bryan the mission to the pope. Few persons, if any, could have been chosen so well qualified to execute this delicate business. The Chesterfieldian suavity of Mr. Bryan reached the inner temple of his Holiness, and he obtained an autograph letter from the pope, which was translated and published in many languages throughout Europe, as a pontifical indorsement of the Exposition. Mrs. Bryan, who accompanied her husband to Europe, was granted an audience by Queen Margherita, and this pleasant interview was rewarded by the contribution to the Exposition of Queen Mar- gherita's remarkable collection of old laces.
On the return of. Mr. Higinbotham from Europe, February, 1892, he was elected vice-president.
Mr. Bryan was appointed commissioner at large, and visited other European courts.
The labors of the directors had greatly increased, in responsibility, and it became necessary to organize various committees, to make arrangements and plans in detail, for the dedication of the Exposition, to be held in October, 1892, and for its opening, in 1893.
411
World's Columbian Exposition.
The following were the committees of the board for the year 1892:
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. Ferdinand W. Peck, Chairman.
Lyman J. Gage. Harlow N. Higinbotham.
Elbridge G. Keith. John J. P. Odell.
COMMITTEE ON GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS. Henry B. Stone, Chairman.
Robert C. Clowry.
William P. Ketcham.
Edward F. Lawrence.
Charles H. Schwab.
Lyman J. Gage. Eugene S. Pike.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
Edwin Walker, Chairman.
Ferdinand W. Peck. Benjamin Butterworth.
Frederick S. Winston. Arthur Dixon.
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE. William D. Kerfoot, Chairman.
Isaac N. Camp. George Schneider.
Thies J. Lefens. Washington Porter.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN EXHIBITS.
Thies J. Lefens, Chairman.
Charles H. Wacker. Harlow N. Higinbotham.
James W. Ellsworth. Charles Henrotin.
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.
Edward P. Ripley, Chairman.
John C. Welling. Charles H. Wheeler.
Henry B. Stone. Charles H. Chappell.
COMMITTEE ON FINE ARTS.
Charles L. Hutchinson, Chairman. Elbridge G. Keith. Charles T. Yerkes.
James W. Ellsworth. Eugene S. Pike.
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.
Harlow N. Higinbotham, Chairman.
Adolph Nathan.
Edward F. Lawrence.
Charles H. Wacker.
William J. Chalmers.
Robert A. Waller. William D. Kerfoot.
George Schneider. Edward P. Ripley.
Milton W. Kirk.
Andrew McNally.
Edward B. Butler. Washington Porter.
COMMITTEE ON MINES, MINING, FORESTRY AND FISH.
Charles H. Schwab, Chairman. John C. Welling. Robert Nelson.
William J. Chalmers. Arthur Dixon.
COMMITTEE ON PRESS AND PRINTING. Alexander H. Revell, Chairman. Milton W. Kirk. Edward B. Butler.
Benjamin Butterworth. George Schneider.
COMMITTEE ON THE LIBERAL ARTS.
James W. Ellsworth, Chairman. Isaac N. Camp. Alexander H. Revell.
Robert A. Waller. George P. Englehard.
412
World's Columbian Exposition.
COMMITTEE ON ELECTRICITY, ELECTRICAL AND PNEUMATIC APPLI-
ANCES.
Robert C. Clowry, Chairman.
Robert Nelson. C. K. G. Billings.
Charles H. Wacker. Charles L. Hutchinson.
COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURES AND MACHINERY.
John J. P. Odell, Chairman.
Adolph Nathan. A. M. Rothschild.
Andrew McNally. Paul O. Stensland.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CEREMONIES. Edward F. Lawrence, Chairman.
Charles T. Yerkes. Charles H. Schwab.
Charles H. Wacker. William D. Kerfoot.
Charles Henrotin. Alexander H. Revell.
James W. Ellsworth.
We now come to the rounding up, to use a meta- phor, of the labors and results that the various com- mittees had brought into a state of probation only; to provide for such questions as might arise from unexpected conditions, growing out of rival interests or a conflict of authority, which was the problem that the friends of the Exposition saw the necessity of settling without delay; for the time to have every- thing in readiness for the dedication of the buildings appeared short. Said Mr. Stone, the chairman of the committee on grounds and buildings: "The Exhibition is about to break in." The board of reference and control of the directory and the commission now evolved a plan to create a council of administration, composed of two directors and two commissioners.
Up to this time the board of directors and the board of commission had the entire responsibility of managing all the affairs pertaining to the Exposition. As they were composed of equal numbers, a deadlock was liable to occur unless perfect harmony prevailed between the two boards. The object in constituting the council of administration was to prevent such a fatal dilemma. Harlow N. Higinbotham and Charles H. Schwab were chosen to represent the directory in this council. George G. Massey, of Delaware, and J. W. St. Clair, of West Virginia, were chosen to represent the commission. At the first meeting of this council Mr. Higinbotham was made chairman. This council
.
413
World's Columbian Exposition.
had absolute power to control all matters of general administration, but not power to expend moneys, except when duly appropriated by the board of direc- tors. Practical work was wanted at its hands, not per- functory ; success was the ultimatum at which it aimed, and was reached on time by making the most of the energy under its supervision, represented by an army of workers. If its duties were onerous, incentives to action were correspondingly developed to master the situation. The plan on which it was to act was em- bodied in a compact adopted by the committee of conference, August, 1892.
The date for the dedication of the buildings was fixed by the council of administration to take place October 21, 1892, instead of October 12, according to the act of congress.
For this change there were two reasons. First, courtesy to New York (which city had made provision for a naval display in her harbor, urged that Chicago should, out of deference to her, postpone her day of dedication lest it might interfere with the official attendance of persons whose presence at each place was desirable. Besides this, it was appropriate that the Chicago dedication should take place on the anni- versary day when Columbus first beheld the land of the western hemisphere, which would be the 26th, in the Gregorian calendar, which date corresponded with the 12th, in the Julian calendar, used in Columbus' time.
DEDICATION OF THE BUILDINGS.
The committee of ceremonies, on the part of the board, consisted of the following persons: Edward F. Lawrence, chairman, Charles H. Schwab, William D. Kerfoot, Charles T. Yerkes, Charles H. Wacker, Charles Henrotin, Alexander H. Revell. The dedication of the Exposition buildings six months before the inaugura- tion was done to make known to the world the immense preparations for the event. The ceremonies began
.
414
World's Columbian Exposition.
with a national salute fired at sunrise. The board of directors of the World's Columbian Exposition, the board of lady managers, and the distinguished guests in carriages, formed in line on Michigan avenue oppo- site the Auditorium, whence they were accompanied by military escort to Twenty-ninth street. Here they were joined by Vice-President Morton, who acted in behalf of the president of the United States, and President Palmer, of the commission; thence they moved south to Wash- ington Park, where 15,000 United States troops and militia companies of several states, all on parade for review, marched past the distinguished guests who formed the procession. It then moved to Jackson Park by way of the Midway Plaisance to the Manufact- ures building on the Fair grounds. A luncheon was now served to 70,000 persons. When the ceremonies were about to commence, a large crowd had gathered outside of the gates. Attention of Mr. Higinbotham being called to this, he ordered the gates thrown open to all who desired to enter.
The march of the procession had been placed under the charge of Major-General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., whose duties had been admirably executed in bringing so large a number of people to the grounds without detention or accident. Now all the responsibilities attending the occasion were assumed by Mr. Higin- botham, who had been made president of the Colum- bian Exposition and chairman of the council of admin- istration in the preceding month of August.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.