USA > Indiana > Indiana at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, comprising the work of the Commission, including its report > Part 11
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A ball was given the cadets in the Indiana State Building on the evening of August 19, and was said to be one of the most attractive social functions given on the Terrace of States.
INDIANAPOLIS NEWS NEWSBOYS' BAND.
A very pleasant occasion was the coming of the Indianapolis News Newsboys' Band. They came by invita- tion of the World's Fair officials to take part on Indiana Day. There were fifty pieces and they were under the direction of Prof. J. B. Vandaworker. The Indianapolis News paid all expenses of the trip in way of acknowledg- ment of the faithfulness of the boys.
It was the night of August 31, that this party left Indianapolis in two Pullman sleepers, arriving at the World's Fair, September 1. They were assigned the best quarters at the Inside Inn and, before entering that famous hos- telry, lined up in front and played, "There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight." The boys were loudly ap- plauded by the guests of the hotel. They were assigned a place in the Indiana Day parade and in the afternoon gave a concert on the veranda of the Indiana Building, attended by a throng of admiring Hoosiers.
This boys' band attracted so much attention that the Minneapolis Journal Newsboys' Band challenged them
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for a contest; the challenge was taken and the contest was arranged to take place on the Plaza Saint Louis, Sep- tember 2, where the two bands met in battle for supremacy. Each band played four selections in the presence of thousands of visitors. The judges were: A. Williams, (Conductor Grenadier Guards Band, London); Wm. Weil, (Conductor Weil's Band, St. Louis); Emil Mollenhauer, (Conductor Boston Band, Boston). The first prize was awarded the Indianapolis News Newsboys' Band without discussion.
John H. McGibbons, Secretary of Awards, in making the awards filed a detailed report. It was highly compli- mentary to the Indianapolis boys, and their three days' trip to the World's Fair will be a bright spot in their memories as long as they live.
Mr. Frank G. Hay had charge of the party and to him great credit is due. There could have been no better managed affair.
PACKARD BAND, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
The Packard Band (Fort Wayne City Band), which organization had the honor of escorting the Governor and his staff in the Indiana Day parade, as well as furnishing concert programs in the afternoon, and at the reception at the Indiana State Building in the evening, is one of the largest and best known musical organizations in the west. To it was accorded the same honor on the similar celebration at the Columbian Exposition in 1893.
Its part in the celebration of Indiana Day consisted in escorting the Governor and his staff in the parade through the grounds to the Indiana State Building in the morning, and in rendering a concert program in the afternoon, and another in the evening at the reception.
PROGRAM:
1. March from Tannhauser.
R. Wagner.
2 Selection from Carmen Biset. 3.(a) Sextette from Lucia V. Suppe. 4. Overture, Poet and Peasant, directed by Master Wade Verweire, aged 11 .Donizetti. (b) Intermezzo from Pagliacci Leoncavalli. 5. Cornet Solo, Columbia Fantasia, J. L. Verweire. Rollison. 6. Fantasia from Parsifal. R. Wagner.
7. Tone Picture, Forest Scenes Orth.
S. International Congress.
Sousa.
The band is composed of forty-two musicians, under the direction of Bandmaster J. L. Verweire, a student and graduate of the National Conservatory of Belgian, at Ghent, and a man of wonderful power over his musical forces. His ability to please the public was demonstrated on this occasion, as at various numbers of the program great ap- plause was evoked, and gradually the crowd grew, making the event a memorable one. When the final number was reached, portraying the music of many nations, each melody seemed to find response in the heart of some countryman, showing that tribute to the State of Indiana was being paid by many nationalities; and when as a climax "The Star Spangled Banner" was played, the enthusiasm knew no bounds.
The Packard Band was organized in 1871 and was incorporated in 1879, and has the distinction of being the
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oldest similar musical organization of the kind in the state, having been in continuous existence since that time with- out change of management. Fred. J. Reineke has been at the head of its business affairs since the inception; and its meritorious work through all these years and wide reputation gained thereby, entitled it to represent the State on this occasion.
ANDERSON BOYS' BAND
The forty-two members of the Anderson Boys' Military Band who attended the St. Louis World's Fair, left Anderson on September - and will retain through life the fondest memories of that trip. No crowd of boys ever had a fuller week's enjoyment, and it is possible that of all the bands at the great Exposition, none attracted more attention.
The trip was projected by the Anderson Morning Herald. Something like $700 was raised by the public spirited people of Anderson to defray the expenses of the trip. With this money in hand, the courtesies of railroads, of the Fair management and of the Fair concessionaires, permitted the boys to go to St. Louis in splendid style, to live at good hotels, to see everything and to have ample pocket money for the entire week's outing.
On entering the grounds the first day, the band was photographed in front of the Administration Building. From there they went direct to the Indiana Building, where they found a most enthusiastic welcome. From that time to the end of their visit they made their headquarters at the Indiana Building, and received many courtesies from those in charge. The instruments were stored there, the lunches were eaten there and at most any time a half dozen of the lads in their rough rider or white dress uniforms, could be seen lounging about waiting rooms of the beautiful building, resting from weariness through very enjoyable sight seeing tours. The band was under the management of its very talented leader, Prof. H. Neely, and the party was under the personal direction of E. C. Toner of the Anderson Herald, and it was through Mr. Toner's efforts that from the beginning of the week to the end, the boys had the freedom of the Fair. They played and serenaded everywhere, were addressed by governors of states and other functionaries, and either on the Plaza de St. Louis or on the Pike, they attracted attention. On Missouri Day the band was given a prominent place in the parade.
It was the greatest week the boys of this interesting organization ever had. With all of them the memory of it will last forever, and the especially delightful features of this memory are the manifold courtesies that were every- where extended the lads in uniform and with instruments.
EXCURSIONS APPRECIATED BY MANY
Many Indiana people who would not have found it possible to visit the Louisiana Purchase Exposition other- wise, were enabled to do so by means of a series of personally conducted World's Fair excursions run by the Indian- apolis Morning Star.
That such a plan would be of great advantage to many residents of Indiana was suggested through constant
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inquiries received by The Star from persons who were anxious to visit the Exposition at St. Louis but who were of necessity seeking an economical means of taking the trip. The matter was presented to the railroads and the result was that The Star was enabled to offer a five days' trip to the World's Fair, including car fare, and lodging and meals at the Cottage City, for $11.50.
Nothing so clearly demonstrates the fact that the plan was appreciated as the statistical report at the end of the season showing that more than 3.000 persons took advantage of these excursions. Everything was done for the convenience of the excursionists that was possible and many kindly letters were received by The Star from those who took the trip, many of the writers explaining that they would not have found it possible to visit the Exposition except for this plan.
The excursions ran each Tuesday and were in the personal charge of Mr. E. E. Lowe, an experienced railroad man and excursion manager. The trips wererun alternately over the Big Four, the Pennsylvania and the C. H. & D. railroad systems.
Official Commendations
As evidence that Indiana's representation at the Exposition attracted the favorable attention, not only of the visitors from this state, but of those whose official connection with the general management of the Exposition was such as to render them competent and disinterested witnesses, the following official documents, letters from Fair officials to the Commission, selected from among many communications of similar character, are presented:
From President David R. Francis
"It has been my pleasant privilege on more than one occasion, I believe, to refer in public utterances to the very creditable showing which Indiana made at the Fair. Of course we expected a fine display from a state possessing the great natural resources and inhabited by a people of the well known culture and thrift of Indiana, and we were not disappointed. By means of the liberal appropriation placed in the hands of a Commission of representative citizens, Indiana was enabled to erect upon the Exposition grounds a beautiful state building and to make superior displays in the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Mines and Metallurgy, and Manufactures. The special corn exhibit was characterized by many new features and attracted much attention. The exhibits" of needlework and decorated china in the Department of Manufactures were favorably commented upon by the many thousands of visitors who saw them; while Indiana's exhibit of building stone in the Palace of Mines, I am informed by the Chief of that Department, was the finest ever seen by him at any Exposition.
"It is the sincere hope of the Exposition management that the results of Indiana's participation may not only be marked by increased commercial prosperity, but by a closer and still more friendly relationship between the people of your state and those of Missouri and this entire Trans-Mississippi section.
"I wish also to avail myself of this opportunity of thanking the Indiana State Commission and each in- dividual member thereof for the very cordial support and earnest co-operation that the Exposition management
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has received at their hands toward making the Universal Exposition of 1904 a marker of progress in the civiliza- tion of the world."
FROM HON. WALTER B. STEVENS, Secretary of the World's Fair.
"Indiana is represented by one of the most attractive state buildings, which has been the center of some of the most notable social and ceremonial functions during the World's Fair period. In the material sense, Indiana has done herself great credit by her exhibits of horticulture, of dairy, of corn, of agriculture generally, of needle and lace work, of decorated china, of coal, of stone; and her educational exhibits have illustrated the high standard of her school system and of her higher institutions of learning.
"The literature by Indiana authors, the paintings by Indiana artists, the drawings and manuscripts and art work have shown the state entitled to a place in the front rank of the commonwealths of the country."
FROM MILAN H. HULBERT, Chief of Manufacturers.
"I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate your Commission upon the attractive exhibit you have made in this department of the needlework and decorated china executed by the women of your state.
"Favorable comments upon both of the exhibits have reached me many times since the opening of the Exposi- tion, and I cannot allow this Exposition to come nearer to its close without advising you that I personally appreciate your successful efforts."
FROM J. A. HOLMES, Chief of Mines and Metallurgy.
"The Indiana exhibit of building stone here in the Mines Building is the finest I have seen at any Exposition and your Commission deserves great credit for the taste which they have shown in getting up and installing this exhibit. Your coal exhibit is also one of the largest I have seen."
FROM F. W. TAYLOR, Chief of Department of Agriculture.
"I beg to say that the Indiana exhibits in the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture are above the average of the states. To be more explicit; the general agriculture display is orderly, well grouped and artistically installed, and must reflect credit upon the state and praise to the Commission.
"The special corn exhibit, in which you participate with conspicuous credit, is one of the new features in this latest and largest of expositions. The work of your state in presenting its corn is most excellent. The varieties and the purposes for which the corn has been bred, are fully set forth, and together it makes one of the most pleasing presentations of a subject by any of the states. It is also imposing and pleasing in its physical aspects."
FROM HOWARD J. ROGERS, Chief of Department of Education.
"In the Department of Education, the State of Indiana received an allotment of space comprising an area of 1666 square feet. In this space there was exhibited the work of the public schools of the cities, counties and rural districts of Indiana, also a general exhibit of the colleges and universities of Indiana and the public library system of the State.
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"The installment of the Indiana Educational Exhibit, comprising an area of 1666 square feet in the northwest corner of the corridor of states in the Educational Building, was one of the most artistic and most admired installa- tions in the Educational Department. The exposition of the school work of the state was most thorough, and its rank, as compared with the other school exhibits of the various states, may be best judged from the fact that the exhibit received one grand prize, seven gold medals, four silver medals, and three bronze medals from the Inter- national Jury of Awards.
"I wish to express my very high appreciation of the great interest manifested and the hearty support given by the members of the Indiana State Commission to the Department of Education in the preparation of its exhibit. In our endeavor to place before the people of the world a thorough exposition of the resources of the United States, we had no more active co-operation or more satisfactory contributions than from the schools and colleges of the State of Indiana.
"In addition to the space occupied by the public schools of the state, there was granted a space of 560 square feet to Purdue University in the section of polytechnic schools. The exhibit made by this institution was thorough and comprehensive and was so highly appreciated by the International Jury of Awards as to receive a Grand Prize.
"In the Department of Social Economy, comprising Charities and Corrections, Hygiene, Municipal Improve- ment, Labor and Industrial Bureaus, etc., Indiana took a very prominent position, and the exhibits, particularly of the Juvenile Court of Marion County, the State Board of Charities and Corrections, and the State Bureau of Labor, were very complete and satisfactory.
"In the Department of Hygiene, no greater commendation can be given the State of Indiana than to state that the entire section was placed in the hands of Dr. J. N. Hurty, Secretary of the State Board of Health of Indiana, and the collective exhibit of Hygiene for the United States and for the world was prepared to our great satisfac- tion under his superintendency. His assistant was Dr. Severance of Purdue University, who was in direct charge of the working laboratory of hygiene during the Exposition period.
"The exhibit of the Indiana State Board of Health was of course an important feature in the section of Hygiene."
FROM CHARLES F. MILLS, Chief of Department of Live Stock.
"The exhibit made by Indiana breeders at the Universal Exposition held at St. Louis the past year, was highly creditable to the state and the very worthy class of your citizens who have made the commonwealth famous for the excellence of its herds and flocks.
"On the illustrious list of the names of exhibitors of livestock receiving the highest honors at the World's Fair, the breeders of Indiana are as usual on the front line and only two states or nations make a better showing for the most coveted prize of the show, than this state. Indiana received more Premier Champion awards on cattle than any other state or nation, and this, the most distinguished honor of the Universal Exposition, was most worthily bestowed upon men who have long honored the state and their profession.
"The display of horses, cattle, sheep and swine made at the World's Fair by the stockmen of Indiana, con- firm the skill of our breeders and the enterprise of our citizens who made an exhibit seldom equaled in number and quality by the promoters of the livestock industry, residing in any state."
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INDIANA STATE BUILDING.
ONGJIUE STATE AKAICHI
د
Joint Resolution Passed by the 64th General Assembly
WHEREAS. The Indiana Exposition Commission, charged with the responsibility under an act of the Sixty- third General Assembly, for providing proper representation of the state's interests at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, has about concluded its official labors by submitting a report of its proceedings to the Governor of the state, and
WHEREAS, Through the faithful and intelligent service of this Commission, the State of Indiana achieved a place at the greatest of international expositions second to that of no other state in respect to the beauty and hospitality of her building, the number of her citizens in attendance, the character of her public and private exhibits, and the quantity and varieties of awards for excellence, and
WHEREAS, These notable results have been achieved by a Commission serving without any inducement other than a desire to promote the interests of their state and gain added glory for the name of Indiana, and the members of this Commission have given to their patriotic service such zealous care that among all states represented at the Exposition, Indiana secured a maximum of results at a minimum of expenditure, so that a considerable portion of the appropriation made by the last General Assembly will revert to the State Treasury, and
WHEREAS, The members of this General Assembly feel that it is as much a public service to commend faithful and successful doing of public duty, as to condemn the failure to perform it: Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, that the thanks and congratulations of the General Assembly be and hereby are extended to the Indiana Exposition Commission, and to the Hon. A. C. Alexander, Assistant Secretary of the Commission, for the zeal and efficiency with which they have performed their important duties.
Extract From Gov. Durbin's Message to the Legislature
The commission has performed its duty in a manner calling for special commendation. The representation of the State at the 1.ouisiana Purchase Exposition was such as to reflect great credit upon the commonwealth. Without lavish expenditure Indiana took high rank among the States and nations represented at St. Louis by reason not only of the beauty of its building and the simple hopitality extended to more than three million persons who crossed its threshold, but because of the character of our private and official exhibits. The Indiana State Building was erected and furnished at a cost of $60,000, and was one of the most commodious and attractive structures on the Plateau of States. The State collected and installed thirteen general exhibits on which four hundred and ten awards and prizes were given by the Superior Jury, including nine grand prizes awarded to the State. No other State surpassed this record. Two hundred and twenty-five school corporations and eighty-four counties were represented in the very creditable educational exhibit made by Indiana, which was by general consent accorded first rank and was awarded
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a gold medal. Thirty-seven counties were represented in the very creditable agricultural exhibit and the same number in the horticultural exhibit.
The State was represented by one hundred and eight individual exhibitors in addition to those who contributed to the State exhibits. Seventy-seven awards and prizes were given by the Superior Jury to these individual exhibits. A classified list shows thirty-two exhibitors in the Live Stock Department, thirteen in the Department of Liberal Arts, eight in the Department of Manufactures, eight in Machinery Hall, seven in the Palace of Electricity, twelve in the Transportation Building, sixteen in the Department of Agriculture, one in Horticulture. two in the Department of Mines and Metallurgy, two in the Department of Fish and Game, four in the Department of Social Economy, one in Physical Culture and two in the Art Palace. In the live stock exhibit Indiana inade a showing exceeded by only two other states or nations. Of premier champion awards on cattle Indiana received more than any other state or nation.
Including those who participated in the state exhibits and the individual exhibitors, there were eight hundred and six of our citizens who in some way exhibited products of the state at the Exposition, at an estimated aggregate value of $250,000. In attendance at the Exposition Indiana surpassed every state except Missouri. Indiana has just ground for pride in the prestige attained by the splendid comparative showing made at St. Louis and has reason to feel that the appropriation made for this purpose was an excellent investment. Of the $150,000 appropriated the commission will be able to return at least $15,000 to the State Treasury.
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