The
The Joseph
Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont
5105 Kennett Pike,
302-888-4600
or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Creator: [unknown]
Title: Remeniscenses [sic] of our trip to the
Columbian Exposition from August 21/93 to August 31/93.
Dates: 1893
Call No.: Doc.
280
Acc. No.: 84x138.1
Quantity: 1 volume (87 pages)
Location: 31 C 2
BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT
The
identity of the man who kept this diary is unknown. He lived in Buffalo, New York, and traveled
with Mary (probably his wife, also called Marie) and Etta (possibly his eldest
child).
SCOPE AND CONTENT
Records one family's impressions of the World's Columbian Exposition. The family set out from Buffalo, New York, for
Chicago on August 21, 1893, traveled by train, stayed in the Hotel Garfield,
and enjoyed ten days of sightseeing at the fair and in the city. Most of the entries are devoted to naming the
various exhibitions seen and making comments about the highlights of each. The diarist approved of the Tiffany Company's
display and found much to admire in historically-oriented exhibitions,
remarking on the Convent de Larabita: "This
convent I consider the most interesting exhibit ... as it contains nothing but
relics and documents of Columbus."
Writing of a beauty show, presented to display native costumes, the
diarist noted it was "another of the many fakes in the Midway Plaisance."
The
manuscript also includes an itemized listing of expenses for the vacation. Each day the family paid $1.25 for fair
entrance along with additional fees for featured attractions, souvenirs, and
food. Although $163.75 was budgeted for
the trip, only $119.80 was spent.
ORGANIZATION
The
entries are in chronological order.
LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS
The
materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS
Collection
is open to the public. Copyright
restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchased from Craig W. Ross.
ACCESS POINTS
Topics:
World's Columbian Exposition (1893 : Chicago, Ill.)
Vacations.
Exhibitions.
Exhibition buildings.
Finance, Personal.
Chicago
(Ill.) - Description and travel.
Reminiscences.
Diaries.
Account
books.
Travelers.
Additional
title:
Reminiscences of our trip to
the Columbian Exposition from August 21/93 to August 31/93.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE DIARY
Location: 31 C 2
[page numbers have been added, as has some punctuation]
[p.1]
Remenicscenses
Of
our Trip to the
Columbian Exposition
from August 21/93
to August 31/93
On
August 19th we decided after long wishing for it, to go to the Exposition at
Chicago with the Buffalo & Western N.Y. day Excursion leaving August 21st
via L.S. & M.S. [Lake Shore and Michigan Southern] Ry
at 8 am. - Mich. Central. 7:45
Nickel Plate 10 am. and N.Y.L.E. & W. Ry some time in the evening - the
first 2 R.R. charging $13.50 the round trip, the last 2 $12.00, each ticket
good to return for 10 days, no sleeping car accommodation. We de-
[p.2]
cided on the L.S. & M.S. Ry being in our judgement the best & most [illegible] table to take,
so I purchased 2 and 1/2 tickets - for Mary, Etta and the writer of this.
Preparations were quickly finished, as it took but very little to get ready &
so by Monday morning we were ready to go.
Further events will follow now.
August
21.
Weather foggy & cloudy. At
4:40 am. Lulu called me
for a glass of milk, after that I layed down again
till 5, when I got up to get ready. After
feeding & cleaning the horse & greasing the 2 seater
it was 6 am. when I called Marie and
[p.3]
Etta. At 6:30 Miller's Baggage wagon called
promptly on time as ordered for our trunk.
After eating Breakfast & Marie putting up a lunch for the trip, we
left the House at 7:15 in our 2 seater, C. Kaiser accompanying
us. On the way we called for John Weis
to take us to Depot & take the rigg back; he was
exciting [sic, i.e. excited] for us, and at 7:40 we arrived at Depot, checked
our trunk to Englewood, Ills. & got aboard our train, where quite a crowd
was seated already & we had to wait until another car was [illegible] and
got comfortable seats. By 8:15 a.m. the
train left depot on its journey, without any noise or demonstration.
[p.4]
The
train consisted of 14 day coaches, all well filled, not all by Buffalo people
as Western N.Y. was well represented by about 4 coaches. After the conductor collected the tickets I went
to see what acquaintances there were on the train and found R. Grieser & family, F. Kaiser & family, Breithecker & family, Maishoss
& wife, Proudy of the Howard Iron Works, Mrs. Lee &
daughters. Fred Gris & his brother
in law, Mary Glawatz, A. Noeltner[?] & his friend Wippert
and many more, that I do not remember now.
A reporter of the times was on the train, took our names and provided us
with silk patches to be worn on Western
[p.5]
N.Y. and Buffalo day at the Exposition (August 23rd). See
Patch amongst curios. At 9:30 we arrived Dunkirk where the clouds were
gone & the sun came out warm & bright, which made everybody feel happy.
Erie was reached next, where I went for the first glass of Bier for myself and
a Bottle for Mary. After leaving there I
went in Smoking car, where Grisser, Kaiser & myself played 66, in which game Breithecker joint [sic]
us afterwards.
Cleveland was
reached at 1 p.m. and Toledo at 4 p.m. West time without any thing specially to
mention. On reaching Toledo we found our
Lunch Box depleeded [sic] so I wanted to buy some
Biscuits, but
[p.6]
5 cts a pieces was too much for me to
pay, more so where we could get nothing but coffee & tea to drink, so I
decided to waite till we
reached Elkhard. Upon arriving there Etta & I had a cup of
coffee each, bought some Biscuits & struck out for Saloon near Depot for a
large Bottle of excellent Bier. As it
was dark already, I did not see a hitching post & fell headlong over it,
shook dust off myself and went on. At
8:45 we started off for the end of our journey & arrived at Englewood at
11:30 p.m. West time. On our train were
quite a few Runners for
one or the other Hotel near Exposition. Many engaged rooms, a good many were quite ner-
[p.7]
ous for not knowing where to go, but I took it cool, as we had
but very little Baggage to carry & knew there was plenty of hotel accomodations & had made up my mind to get as near to
the grounds as possible, which proved very satisfactory afterwards. A great many excursionist
got off at South Chicago, more at Grand Crossing and most all at Englewood,
very few rode up to the Chicago city station.
We took the 63 Str. Electric Street car, right on front site [sic i.e.
side?] of Depot & rode straight down to Stoney
Island Ave. & asked for Hotel Alliance,
which was recommended to us by Fred Mohr & I. Roehmer but
could not find it, so we walked up to 58 Str.
[p. 8]
& stopped at Hotel Garfield, with intention to stay over night, as it was past midnight & look for better
place in morning if it would not suit. I
engaged room 206 with 2 Beds for $2.00 per day, meals in Restaurant adjoining
Hotel office 25 cts. each.
Our first
impression of Hotel & our Room was not inviting, but being very tired we
fell asleep & slept soundly until day light, or rather till the sun was
shining in our Room.
[p.9]
August 22d
Weather fine, Sun shining bright & warm.
We got up at 6
a.m. & were pleasantly surprised to find our Room windows right opposite
Exposition, so we got the first glimpse of the white city. Right opposite our windows was the California
State Building. As we enjoyed a good
rest, our room, Hotel & surroundings looked much more inviting, so we
decided to stay at the Garfield during our stay, more so as we had but a couple
of 100 feet to 58 Street entrance to fair grounds.
After dressing
myself & waiting for Mary & Etta to get ready, I completed my [p.10]
memorandums not finished last night & wrote to Carie Kaiser, so as to let her know where to find us. While coming down stairs, young Frank of Broadway
ran into me, who was
stopping here with Mr. Niederp[illegible] & 2 others; also met Emil Yundt of Wende Station.
After Mary &
Etta came down, we went to Breakfast, which consisted of Scrambled eggs, Bacon,
Pork Sausage, Potatoes, Rolls & coffee, which we enjoyed very much & at
8 a m. we were ready to enter the Exposition grounds. As most of the State
Buildings don't open till 9 or 10 am. we found
only the Washington State Building open, which was our first examination.
[p.11]
From there we walked to N. Y. State Building, which was closed, so
we took a walk around all the State Buildings & found ourselves in a short
time on the Parade grounds in front of Government Building, where we saw a very
interesting Drill by West Point cadets, who were camping in tents right here,
and at 9 am, we entered the Manufact. & liberal
art Building. Of all exhibits our
American Exhibits take the lead. French
Exhibit with few exceptions the poorest. Was also disappointed with
some of the German & more so Japanese exhibits. In German Exhibit Dresden & Meissen China,
also Bohemian glass, are very nice; also Saxony yarn & silk, &
Prints. Furs & Robs sic, i.e. robes?] are very
[p. 12]
good in American & Russian Exhibit. Tiffany’s Exhibit of precious stone is grand,
so the Keyston watch case factory and watch factory
next to it.
At noon we went
for lunch at Wellington's in this Building, which consisted of Sandwiches &
Bier, Our first Bier on the grounds. After
this we intented [sic] to finish Manufact.
Building, also wanted to Register at N.Y. State
Building, so went there & as we were right amongst these Buildings now,
concluded to inspect all these smaller State & Foreing
[sic] Buildings. On the way to N. Y.
Building we passed through Government Building also Army Hospitals & fisherie's Bldg, then visited the
Buildings of Venezuela, Guata-
[p.13]
mala, Costa-Rico, Isaac Walton's House (Fishermen's), Cylon, France. Here
in one large Room are kept the crown jewels of France, which is guarded by
French Sailors and admittances can only be had by card, which we did not have,
so we peeped in & went on as the rest of this Building is not worth
spending any time. Now we came to &
inspected the State Buildings of Main, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Pensilvania, Mississippi, Louisianna,
Minnesota & Arkansas. Each of these
Buildings has one thing or the other of great interest & each is
characteristic of the State it represents. In Pensilv. State Buildg. we saw the liberty Bell, which
[p.14]
I saw the last time in Philadelphia during the centennial
Exposition. This is guarded by U. States
Soldiers. In N Y. Building we
registered, set down a while & looked over the Building, which is layed out nicely with large well furnished Rooms and a
splendid view from top of Building, otherwise there is nothing extra
attractive. From here we took in the Esquimaux Village, which is good enough to see but nothing
attractive as these people are very unclean; in fact near their dogs it was
impossible to stand the smell, so after looking it over, learning their ways
& habits of living & buying a doll for Else Kaiser at their
[p. 15]
Bazaar, started back amongst the State Buildings. Visited the Buildings of
South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Kansas, which later [i.e.latter] is very interesting on account of its Exhibits
& Decorations in Farm produce and mounted animals. By this time it was 6 p.m. when all State
Buildings close & we had to stop here for to-day & went to get some
Bier and lunch in open shed of
Wellington Catering Co. amongst State Buildings. Only Bottle bier was to be had here. After Lunch we discovered that the Ohio and
Wisconsin Buildgs. were open
for the evening, so we visited them yet in our way to Electrical Building,
which
[p.16]
is open every evening till 10 p.m. On the way there we
stopped at Building called Public Comfort, a large Building with chairs to
rest, writing room, Post office, Parcel Room, closets and stand for the sale of
all kinds of Bric a Bric
[sic] as Souvenirs. Then we called yet
[this word later struck through] at the Puck Building & White Starline of Steamships Buldg. and
spent Rest of evening in Electrical Building, which is very interesting, if one
knows anything about Electricity or not, but as we were very tired, only took a
superficial look at everything, deciding to come again. After taking a few glasses
of Bier and a lunch at Manufact. Buildg turned our way towards Hotel, where we arrived 10
p.m.
[p.17]
August 23d
Weather fine. Sun shining. Bright & warm, cool during night.
Although thouroughly tired out last evening, we got up at 6:15 fresh
and well rested after all of us enjoyed a good sound sleep all night and are
ready for another good days work or rather sightseeing and study.
Mary was late in
getting ready this morning, missing her home comforts, which no-one can have in
a Hotel, so we did not get over to the Exposition grounds till 8:30 after we
had a good solid Breakfast consisting of Scrambled Eggs, Pork sausage,
[p.18]
Bacon, Pan cakes, Rolls and coffee. As we
did not get back to Manufact & Art Buildg yesterday started for the same this morning to finish
it. On the way there took a look at the Children's Building and looked at the
western half of Horticultural Building, which contains many rare &
interesting plants, shrubs, flowers, etc., & entered Manufact.
Building after passing through the wooded island, to which I shall refer later.
As our time is short to see everything in the time allowed us by our tickets we
had decided we must finish Manufact. & Liberal
Art Building by noon. We finished up at
12: 15 p.m.
[p.19]
and took lunch at Wellington Catering Co. in Manuf. &
liberal Art Building, consisting of Beans etc. Beans were half cooked, so they made Mary
& Etta sick, still they did not give up. While eating our lunch I got up &
went back to Manufact. Bldg to get some more Picture cards
from Singer Sew. Mach. Co. and watch openers[?]
from Keystone Watch case Co. After this we
started for the Convent Delarabita where all relics
of Columbus are exhibited. On the way
there we stopped at Baker's Building of cocoa fame, where they served cocoa by
girls dressed in Dresses of the last century, same
dresses as Baker is using in his advertisements.
After this we
wanted to visit Music Hall, but it was
[p.20]
closed till 3 p.m., as at that time a Band
concert was to take place (100 Musicians). We did not want to waite
for that time so we walked on and took a ride on moving side-walk, which is build on dock ententing [sic,
i.e. extending] about a mile out in the lake, all Steam Boats
arriving & leaving from here. This moving sidewalk is about the same as a
double merry-go-around, one can ride as
long as one feels like & get a very good view of lake and surrounding Buildgs. The Ship Santa Maria and consort (Spanish
Caravels) are anchored near by here so we visited
these Boats next and then arrived at convent De Larabita
This convent I consider
[p. 21]
the most interesting exhibit of all the exhibits in this Columbian
Exhibition as it contains nothing but relics and documents of Columbus, and
most of all the Document and great seal of Queen Isabella creating Columbus a
Commodore of a fleet to find a nearer way to the West Indias,
which is actually the commencement [sic] of out American History. This document is under glass and frame and is
watched by U. St. Soldiers and every gentleman is requested to remove his hat
when looking at this venerable Document. After we left here we went towards Krupp's
exhibit. On the way there we passed
[p.22]
the Nautatorium, which is a
Restaurant and Bath-House, where lots of men were enjoying a Bath in Lake
Michigan. On arriving at Krupps Exhibit, which is a Building for itself, we found it
closed till 4 p.m. on account of some kind of a meeting of Machinist being held
there, so we
walked over to the Indian School Building, which shows how far our Indians are
advanced as Scholars and Mechanics, then visited the Indian Village which do'nt amount to much.
The whaling Bark Progress which is located right near here, we did not
visit, but looked
[p. 23]
at the Ruins of Yukaton and then
went for Refreshment in Tunis Restaurant & Bazaar. After taking in some more of the Bazaars in
this neighbourhood, we went to see the Ruins of the
cliff dwellers, which was quite interesting, more so the museum connected with
it; saw more
mummies, sculls [i.e. skulls] and Bones and old pots & Kettles here, than
ever before. From here we visited the
old Kentucky Distillery, which was in operation, but of very little interest to
such as we, who do'nt know
much about making whisky. From here we
passed across [sic] the street into the Anthropological Building, containing
[p.24]
medical & Hospital appliances, mummies and
prehistoric relics, which was very interesting, more so the prehistoric relics.
From here we visited the Forrestry Building, which contains nothing but products produced
in and by forests; saw the biggest log and biggest board in existance.
Picture of log and dimensions of same we have in scraps Book. From here we looked through Shoe and leather
Building only superfluously as all of us were very tired and not fit to enjoy
the sights and exhibits to be seen, so we decided to take a ride on the
elevated R. Road to
[p.25]
get up the other end of grounds, that is to the N.Y. State Buildg. As we had to
stop at Iowa State Building, when R. Road stoped, we
gave this a flying visit, as it was getting towards 6 p.m., and arrived at N.Y.
Building just in time to see it closed up and hear the Iowa State Band play
their last
piece of the afternoon concert. After
looking around to see if we could find our acquaintances here, as this was
Buffalo and Western N.Y. day, we decided to go to our Hotel, as we were
thoroughly worn out and not able to enjoy the sights. On the way to Hotel we
found the California Buildg open, so we went in
[p.26]
but there is so much to be seen & learned, that we
concluded to call again later on. The Exhibit of fruits is grand, too much to
take it in while tired. From here we
went to our Hotel, too glad to be so near by, as a
Street car ride with pain in our legs and in back would have used us up
entirely, so after enjoying a hardy supper, we retired to our room, I finishing
up today's event for this diary, while Mary & Etta were sleeping already,
whom I followed suit befor [sic] 9 o'clock.
This was W.N.Y.
and Buffalo-day & was our intention to attent the
[p.27]
ceremonies connected with it at 11 this morning, but
we were too far away and did not like to loose so
much time. Details
about this celebration is preserved in a newspaper cut amongst curios. This was also Delaware day, for which occasion
the Delaware Building was decorated.
This afternoon, where going from Manufact.
Building towards convent, we heard Gillmore's Band in
open air concert playing a Quartett of a popular German
song & responded as encor with [German song title], in which every body who understood it, joined in; at finish grand
applause.
[p. 28]
August 24
Weather fine. Sun bright & warm. Although retiring early last night &
enjoying a sound sleep we did not wake up till 5:45 am despite of a great deal
of noise across the street in California Building. Shortly after 6 o clock, we were all up and
dressed, and after eating a hardy Breakfast, consisting of Beaf
steak, Liver & Bacon cakes & coffee, we were ready to start out again
for more to see, and entered the grounds at 7:15 a.m., making our way right
over towards the Midway Plaisance, where we intent to
spend this whole day, finishing up
[p. 29]
this part at once.
Upon entering we
found quite a few or most all shows closed yet, so we could not follow our
intentions and go from place to place, but had to pick out whatever was open
and wherever there was any thing going on in the way
of theater performance or entertainment, as they all perform at different
times, so as to give people a chance to go from one place to the other. Our first stopping place this morning was the German
village, where we looked at the different architecture of the houses, went
through the different Saloon's
[p.30]
and Biergardens connected with it
and bought a few nic nacs
[sic] in the different Bazaars. The
museum was not open yet. From here we went to the Turkish Village, which
amounts to nothing else but a Bazaar for the sale of Oriental Goods, such as we
see most every day in Buffalo. Here we met
Moses who was so nicely pictured in the Sunday Express as "Moses and the
fair."
As nothing else
was open yet, we spend the time till 9 a.m. in the Japanese Bazaar and entered
the Libbey Glass works next, which is well worth
seeing, as they work Glass in all kinds
[p.31]
of fancy nic-nacs from a common
glass Walking cane, to Lamp shades and Dresses all woven & spun of Glass. Being very hot in this Building our usual dry
throat was dry very early to-day, so, coming out of the Glass works, we went
over to Hagenbecks for some Bier and awaited the
procession of all foreigners in the plaisance, who
were to take part in the great military procession in honor of Illinois day,
set for to-day.
After the
procession passed, we went towards the Ferris wheel and took a ride on it. When
going up the first time, we felt a little shaky,
[p.32]
more so as the sensation of rising slowly on a wheel to such a hights (see Picture & dimensions amongst curios) and
the atmosphere naturally being thinner, is not agreeable and were ready to get
out, when down again, still there was no stopping, so we had to go up again and
are well pleased as
the 2d trip made us feel safe and we could enjoy the Panorama spread before us
to its full extend. All Midway Plaisance lay below us, on one
side the large city of Chicago, on the other Jackson Pary
with all the Exposition Buildings and Lake Michigan as far as the eye can see. After leaving the Ferris wheel we took
[p.33]
a walk up to the end of the Plaisance
to take in all worth seeing, systematically.
The wild East show we did not visit, as no performance was going on. This is the stamping ground of Arabian's with their
horses. From here we went to the Austrich [sic, i.e. ostrich] Farm, where 28 live Austrich's from California are shown. From here we walked accross
the street in the Hungarian Restaurant for a mug of Bier and after visiting the
Chinese Theater and Bazaar (Village they call it) we thought it time to get something
to eat, so stopped for lunch (Potatoe salad and
frankfurters) at
the Vienna Restaurant next to Ferris Wheel.
After a good rest
& being
[p.34]
refreshed we visited the Algerian and Tunis Bazaars,
then the Streets of Cairo with its Donkeys & Boys to drive them, and camel & drivers,
with its bazaars, temples and all kinds of fake shows. Now it was time to go to Hagenbecks
show of performing wild animals, which is well worth going, so is the menagerie
connected with it. After this
performance was over, we went to see the South Sea Islanders and Samoan
Village. Their huts are entirely
constructed without nails. Saw them
strike fire with 2 pieces of wood being rubbed together. After this we visited the Japanese Village which
I consider the dirtiest
[p.35]
(dusties)
exhibit in the Plaisance and as big a fake as there
is to be found. This finishes the upper
end of the plaisance so we started for the end
between Ferris Wheel and Jackson Park. At first I stopped at Libby Glass works again
to buy another glass cane as the one bought this am I broke at Hagenbeck's Restaurant while Marie & Etta were walking
towards Submarine exhibit, which Etta was very anxious to see & enjoyed it
too. Next we visited the electric scenic
Theater, which shows [sic] a small landscap [sic] changing
from night to day, moonlight to sunshine, etc. Good enough to look at, but not worth the
admission fee charged. Now we went
[p.36]
to see the Beauty show. In a large Building on a plattform
around the inside walls were seated they claim 40 women (I did not count them) dressed
in the different costumes of all nations; some I considered pretty, some not,
but very few were actual representativesof the
costume they wore; at least quite a few conversed in good English. As a whole this is another of the many fakes
in the Midway Plaisance. Being tired of this kind of
entertainment, we surely expected to find something worth the entrance-fee by
going in the Irish Village, but what is
[p.37]
it? A Bazaar for the sale and exhibit of
Irish laces much inferior to those to be seen free of charge in the Woman's
Building. A
creamery for the sale of milk, Buttermilk, etc., and an Irish tavern, where the
service was so poor, that we got tired of waiting for a 2d edition of Bier and
walked out. There are 2 items to mention
yet, the Blarney stone "sent over from" Ireland & put in position
in top of Castle-steeple by the mayor of Chicago (about the size of our Bricks);
to kiss this stone a fee of 10 cts was charged, as
the attendent claimed the stone had power to relieve
pain, tooth-aches, etc. In the yard I
found a pile of turf-
[p.38]
Bricks, used by my parents, in fact in
North Europe, as fuel, which I never had seen in America. This
finished the Midway Plaisance and had seen all but
the inside of Old Vienna, but had a good look at it from Ferris Wheel, so we decided to pass it.
Suppertime was
almost past now, as it was getting dark already, so we turned towards the Lake
front to see the display of fire works to night. On way there took Lunch at Wellington's in
Manufacturer's Building on the side to the Lake and awaited the fireworks to be
shot off, but the crowd was so large that it was impossible to get near
[p.39]
to it, so we only saw the pieces that exploted
[sic] in the air, which were fully as good as anything seen in Buffalo. At 9:15 we turn our faces towards our Hotel
and 15 minutes later saw us stretched out in our Bed, thouroughly
played out, but in much better shape, than last night.
As I stated
before, to-day was Illinois day, which drew the largest crowds that we had seen
since here and despite the large area covered by Jackson Park, it was once a
while uncomfortable to get along. To-day
we saw more Militia then I ever saw before.
N.B. just before
entering Hagenbeck's, we had a few drops of Rain, but
after the performances the sun was shining again.
[p.40]
August 25
Weather nice - a
little hazy, still
another nice day is in prospect.
After a good
night’s rest we got up at 6 am, enjoyed our Breakfast of Beefsteak, Eggs, Pancakes
& Coffee and entered the Exposition Grounds at 7:45, starting in with the
Woman's Building, which is full of all kinds of hand work of Women, most of it
very interesting. This building also
contains rooms for all kinds of Women societies – religious, educational, temperance. Now we stepped across [sic] the street into
the Children's Building, where they take care of Babies, etc., while their
parents are out sight
[p.41]
seing, [sic] part of this was up to a few days
ago in charge of our Buffalo Fitch[?] creech[?] and is very instructive. Here can also be found as perfect a gymnasium
as any one wants.
The next building this morning was for us to finish the Horticultural
building; the west side of this we had seen previously, so it did not take us
long to finish up. In the dom [sic, i.e. dome] of this Buildg. is
a large artificial cave which looks quite nice in the reflection of all the electric
lights inside of it. The next Building we met[?] is the Choral Buildg. which is devoted to singing concerts. Black Patti [Matilda Sissieretta
Joyner Jones, called the “Black Patti” in comparing her to Adelina
Patti] sang to day and as we
[p.42]
have heard her in Buffalo, passed on into the Transportation
Building, where there are so many different kinds of conveyances shown, that it
is impossible to mention all. From the mighty N.Y.C. Locomotive 999 and any kind of carriage
& wagon down to a small row-boat. This Building took us till after-noon, so it
was high time to look out for our dinner, which we took
at Wellington's in Electrical Building. After a good rest we entered the Agricultural
Building, which I consider one of the most interresting
[sic] on the grounds and kept us busy all the Rest of the day. If any one feels inclined
[p.43]
to make a meal out of Beef tea, coffee Bisquits
[sic], pancakes, etc., which are served here in the different exhibits for
advertisements, it is an easy matter to do so, as plenty of it can be had. The amount of souvenirs in all kinds of forms, that is distributed in this Buildg.
by the different exhibitors is immense [sic] &
some of them are quite expensive.
Tonight’s supper
we took in the German Restaurant under Manufacturers Bldg. Sandwiches 20 cts each, Seidels impored Culin Eacher
Bier 25 ct. As we learned that
the Fisherie's [sic] Building is open to-night we
went to see it, the exhibit of life [sic, i.e. live] Fish is nice and very in-
[p.44]
terresting, so are all the rest of appliances connected
with this kind of industrie [sic].
After enjoying a
couple of Bottle of Bier yet we went to bed at 9:35 p.m., worn out and sleepy,
still well satisfied to have spent the most interesting and instructive day, we
have had so far in Jackson Park.
To-day was
Colored Peoples day.
[p.45]
August 26
No change in
Weather, just as pleasant as yesterday.
At 5:45 this
morning we woke up after a refreshing nights rest,
ready for more to see and more to learn.
Sometime during
the night we heard some sweet Singing, accomopanied by
some string instruments, (what kind we were too sleepy to make out), which was
a very agreeable change from the usual quietness in our neighbourghood
[sic] between midnight and morning.
After our usual breakfast of Steak, Eggs, Potatoes Pancakes & Coffee,
we set out for the grounds shortly after 8 o'clock (8:20) and
[p.46]
started for the Government Building , which
contains representations of all the Branches of our Government such as exhibits
from Post office, Patent office, treasury Department, War department etc. The U.S. rifle factory in Operation
here is very interesting, so is the Indian exhibit and
the Exhibits of the Smithsonian Institut, [sic]
showing the human, animal, and vegetable life of the U. States in all its
different stages of development.
From here went again to the Agricultural Buildg after a few more souvenirs, which we were not able
to get the last time we were here. Of course
everything was almost
[p.47]
as new to us and interresting as if
we never had been here before, so we lingered around longer, than our time
actually allowed us, but after being satisfied we saw all, we left here well
satisfied with the time spent, for Machinery Hall. This Building it is impossible to me to give any
correct
description, as there is too much to be seen and would not know what to mention
as the most interesting. This day being
Machinery day, everything was in operation. While here the head of an engine blew out and every body rushed for the exits. Fortunately no one was hurt and with the
exception of some
[p.48]
smashed railings & torn up flooring no damage
was done. Dinner we took to-day in
Wellington's in this Building, too glad to rest the same time as this was our
first Rest since we entered the Grounds. Having finished pretty near here before
dinner, we looked at a few more weaving Machines and knitting Machines, now in
Operation and took a ride on one of the electric cranes accross
the whole Building, which was a beautifull sight, as all
the Machinery in operation and a constant mooving
[sic] & changing crowd of sight Seeers, were way
underneath us, and started for the Krupp
[p.49]
Exhibit, which is a Buildg by itself,
containing all kinds of guns and castings as are made by this firm. Next building to this is the Dairy Building,
containing all kinds of dairy produce and many artistic designs made of Butter.
From here we walked over to the Stock Pavilion, where judging of Percheron
Horses was in order, also saw some very pretty Shetland ponies out in the ring
for exhibition. Now we turned our walk towards
the Horse & cattle shets [sic,
i.e. sheds], after visiting the open German Exhibit, all kinds of monuments and fancy tile and
tile stoves, such as are used in Germany. The horses took all our attention, more so
[p.50]
the Russian stable, which was the best arranged stable I know
of. The cattle were about to me the same
as we see every year at our Hamburg fair, so we passed into the Incubator
Building, which is alive with little chicks and Incubators all anxious to show
the best hatch of chicks. After this we took a short rest and a glass of bier (probably 2) at
the White Horse Restaurant, which I suppose is meant
as a Rest for Horse and cattlemen.
As the mining
building was open to-night, we started about 6 p.m. for the same, where a great
deal of artistic work is produced out of coal, rough granit cement, iron etc. Any-one
[p.51]
interrested of what is under the surface of our earth
is well paid to spend a few hours in this Building. The column of coal exhibited by the Lehigh
Coal Company is worth remembering, so the Kentucky exhibit of an arch of coal,
also our N. Y. State monument composed of Blocks of every kind of Stone found
in N. Y. State.
After being tired
and satisfied to have seen enough, we went to the Midway Plaisance
to eat Supper at the Vienna Restaurant as their Potatoe
salad and frankfurt sausage is too good to be
satisfied with but once eating it. Furthermore
to-day being Missouri-day the Midway Plaisance was
[p.52]
iluminated [sic] from one end to the other and lots
of Red fire burned off, as an extra attraction. The Plaisance is lit
up pretty well every night but to-night the ilumination
[sic] was well worth going to see it, so were the crowds of people gathered
here on account of it.
That all the
theaters, shows, Bazaars, concerts, etc. tried their best to draw in people is
hardly worth mentioning, still the noise and different methods used to attract,
one must see to comprehend. While eating
our supper the Parade of all the foreigners in the midway passed by and I don't
think the noise and monotonous music
[p.53]
of their fifes & drums will ever come out of my hearing.\
The prettiest sight
of all is the Libby Glassworks illuminated & is only excelled by the
Ferris Wheel with its thousands of electric lights, constandly moving [both sic] around.
Having enjoyed
our Supper and listened to the Tyrolen singing and
music, we thought it time to turn in for tonight and by 9:15 p.m. all of us were
in bed resting our tired limbs, well satisfied with to-days sights and more so
with the souvenirs we gathered to-day.
[p.54]
August 27
The weather
to-day opens with bright Sunshine; still the air is a little cool, but quite
warm in the afternoon, towards evening very windy.
This being Sunday
we intented [sic] to sleep till late and take a good
rest, as we wanted to go to
Chicago & spend all day there, still 6 o'clock saw us all awake and rested.
Mary stored away all the souvenirs we
had picked up, that is she put them in the Bottom of our trunk, as they were
too many to dispose of otherwise, and then went to Breakfast (bill of fare same
as usual) and then started to take the electric street car at 63
[p.55]
street for Chicago. Passing the exposition gates at 58 Street we
saw they were open, so I inquired if the Art Gallery was open on Sunday. This being the case we changed the program
& went into Jackson Park straight towards the art Gallery, as we knew this
would take a long time & to-day
being Sunday we knew the crowd would not be so large and give us plenty of room and leisure to examine closely. It was shortly after 8 a.m., when we entered the Gallery and did not get through till pretty
near 3 p.m. and only spent a short time during these hours for dinner. Most every picture, be it oil or water-colour or pencil painting or a lithograph, every
[p.56]
Statue, either of Bronze, marble stone or Plaster Paris, is well
worth of close inspection, but their [sic] are so many of each that one finely
[sic, probably finally is meant]
gives up to look up the
guide book for each exhibit.
When dinner time came our trouble to get something to eat commenced, as we
learned that all Restaurants are closed to-day, but possibly might find the
clam bake open, as the West Point cadets were eating there. This we found closed, but the Banquet Hall (Knight
templars Restaurant) next to the clam bake) was open,
so we went there. Here we found the
waiters on a strike and the service in consequence
[p.57]
very much crippled, so we were glad after waiting quite a while to
get a glass of Bier and a sandwich, as we were not near done with the art
gallery and anxious to get back there.
To have the gates
open on Sunday, charge the usual admission fee and then have all the
Restaurants closed is in my judgment a very weak spot in the Exposition
management.
About 3 p.m. we were
tired of looking at more Pictures, in fact had gone through every room there
was, we went to see Buffalo Bill’s wild west show, which is right outside the
grounds between 62 & 63 Streets, who gives 2
[p.58]
performances daily, Sunday included, rain or shine. It is the same show as we had in Buffalo some
years ago, only on a larger scale and more finished. The crowd of spectators alone is a treat to
look at.
This performance
is over about 5 o'clock, so we strolled along Stoney
Island Avenue to see all the fake showes [sic] in
this vicinity, where anything goes, that can draw from a nikle
[sic] to a quarter of a Dollar; which took us till about 7 p.m., when we had
arrived at our Hotel, where we took supper.
Mary & Etta sat on the Balcony after this for a while and I wrote a
couple of
[p.59]
letters, then took a chair and set in front of Hotel office
enjoying a cigar, when Mary calls down to us to see what the excitement was
less than 1/2 block away from here. When
I looked up I saw the fire engines at work, Hook & lader,
more engines, hose cart and police patrol coming on account of a fire in one of
the Restaurant shandies [sic, i.e. shanties] only 4
or 5 doors away from our Hotel. (A gasoline
stove had exploted.) This all was done so noiseless, that nobody
was aware of anything being wrong. Fortunately
the fire amounted to nothing & the fire department left as quick and
quietly as it had come. Before 9 p.m. we
were all to bed and sleeping.
[p.60]
August 28
Weather this
morning fair, sun shining bright. Towards evening it got very windy, so that we
could not keep our hats on in Street car & the dust flying that we could
not look out of our eyes. The name of
windy City for Chicago I found very appropriate.
At 6 am we arose
as usual, dressed and took our usual breakfast, and at 7 o'clock we were ready
to start for Chicago. So we took the 63
Street Electric Street car to Englewood, this we did, so as to know where to go
to, when getting ready to leave for home, as it was Midnight almost when we
arrived here on
[.61]
August 21st.
From Englewood we took a C.R.I. & P.[?] Ry train, which
stops at same Depot as L.S. & M.S. Ry &
arrived at Chicago station at 8:50.
Upon leaving the
cars we went up Dearborn Str to State to find Norris Alister & Co's Jewelry
store to have names engraved on Souvenir spoons which we bought for our
children, as they agree to-do this free of charge by calling at their store. After this we made the rounds of all the
prominent Hotels of Chicago, looked at all the high Buildings such as Masonic
temple
etc., each 18 to 20 stories high and arrive at Hy Kleins & Co's
store, where we made
[p.62]
a friendly call. After
this we took in all the principal Business Streets and feeling hungry &
thirsty we dropped in a Saloon on Adam Street to enjoy a glass of Bier with one
of those celebrated liberal free Chicago lunches. There is enough served for lunch to make a
square meal out of. Here in this place
we saw the biggest glass of bier served to whoever asked for, that I ever saw,
so for curiosity's sake I took one and had my appetite well satisfied to ask
for no more, so much there was of it. From here we walked over to Wabash Ave. and took
Cable cars to Libby Prison, located
[p.63]
between 14 & 16th Street. This old prison of the rebellion is well worth
the time and money spent, to any one who takes an
interest in the history of the late war, as it is full of relics from the
federal as well as confederate Armies, during that struggle.
After spending a
few hours very pleasantly in this place, we took cable car back to Lake street. [The name of
the street has been written over, and it is possible that they went to State
St.] On the way there we saw a large
gathering of unemployed men around the Columbus statue. This
gathering is the one which after-wards marched to Cooper and Sibley's department
store to blunder [sic, i.e. plunder] it and was only prevented by prompt
[p.64]
action of the police. At Lake Street [in this case, it looks like
State was written first, and then changed to Lake], we took the North State
Street cars, rode as far as it went and changed to North Clark Street line
coming back, which line passes through La Salle street tunnell
under the Chicago River, which is a very agreeable change in the program.
Those souvenir
spoons were to be ready at 4 p.m. so we went after them, but they were not quite
done yet, so we went off after some refreshments.
By this time oar
spoons were finished and now walked over to L.S. & M.S. Ry for time-table to
find out what train to take for Buffalo, but got left
[p.65]
on that, as the time table was changed the day before,
consequently the old time tables were N.G., [no good], so we walked back to
State-street and took cable car for our Hotel via 61-63 and 64th Street. This was a continuous ride of 1 hour and 10
minutes on streetcar and was an interresting sight to
be comfortably seated and see the crowds in the opposite direction fairly fighting
for to hang onto a car, as this time a [sic, i.e. of] day a great many leave
the grounds.
Arrived at our
Hotel; we took Supper (Dinner they called it) and then walked to the Manitoba
exhibit which occupys [sic] a building outside the grounds
on
[p.66]
Stoney
Island Ave., 2d door from our hotel. Next
door is the Model Sunday-School Building.
Manitoba has
fully as good an Exhibit outside the fair-grounds as most State-Buildings
inside, so we spend a couple of interresing &
instructive hours here, as I never believed the resources of Manitoba were as
great as shown here.
About 9 p.m. we
walked back to our Hotel and went to Bed.
[p.67]
August 29
To day the weather opens up cloudy and cold, but not windy.
Stopped blowing during
the night.
This last night
it was cold enough, that we had to close all windows & use the comforters
to good advantage.
We got up before
6 o'clock, enjoyed our usual Breakfast, and at 7:15 we were in Manufacturers
Building again to get a few more souvenirs and look the Exhibits over once more.
We found just as
many new Exhibits, as when we went through the last time and consequently spent
quite a little time here, more than we figured on. In
[p.68]
fact stayed so long, till it was time for lunch, which we had
at Wellington's in this Building.
To-day we had to go inside as to sit at the tables outside the
Building the weather was too cold. From
here we visited the model of the Battleship Illinois with all its appliances
used in modern
war-fare. even a coup of carrier pigeons was there. The whole exhibit is well worth to spend a
little time on it.
Being in this
neighborhood we visited the State buildings of Canada, Spain & Germany,
the later only being worthwhile inspecting and the only one around here, that
[p.69]
is always crowded. The
exhibit of all kinds of Books, maps, charts, and not least of religious
statuary is grand. The clock similar to
the Strassburg clock we did not waite to hear strike, as it was just after 12 noon,
when we were there. From here we walked
up to the Iowa State-Building once more as this is worth a second visit. Then we visited the state-buildgs.
of Maine,
New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Mount Vernon containing
nothing but relics of Washington and is always crowded, Virginia, Idaho,
Kentucky and Florida, the later [sic, i.e. latter] being nothing but a Jewish Bazaar
& by me considered a very poor re-
[p. 70]
presentation of Florida. Before we entered Florida Buildg
we took dinner at Wellington's opposite the Uta [sic,
i.e. Utah] Building, which is quite expensive for this part of the grounds.
On leaving the
Florida Buildg the Parade of all the horses on
Exhibition passed by, which showed the animals to fine advantage. Now we went to the California Building which
we examined closely as I consider it one of the best to show the resources of
the country. The elevator took us up to
the Roof garden caffee [i.e. cafe] where we invested
in a ½ Bottle of California Riesling, still it is not
[p.71]
worth-while to go there. All we had left now to inspect was the Illinois
State building and the Taylor's exhibit. The later we forgott to look up when near by
so dropped it all together. The
Illinois, Iowa and California State-buildings I consider the best of its kind
to show their resources, also as far as artistic use of country-produce is
concerned. The rider statues in Calif. Building made entirely of tried
[sic, i.e. dried] plums, the State-capital of Iowa in Iowa Buildg
all of glass and filled with all kinds of com, wheat, Beans, peas etc. and the
different Pictures in Illinois Buildg all made
[p.72]
of corn & corn cobs, are good studies for anybody and worth
examining. For outside show and
dimensions of Building, still all rooms comfortably arranged,
the New York state Building takes the lead.
After finishing
the Illinois building we had some time left yet, so we visited the Electricity
Building again just before dark, so as to see the Exhibits in daylight and then
after everything is lit up. This was the
last building to examine thoroughly & we considered ourselves to
have seen all there was on exhibition, some parts more thoroughly than others,
but intentionally we have missed
[p.73]
nothing. Of course there are many exhibits we would
have been happy to see again, but everything comes to an end, so also the limit
of our Railroad tickets and had to think of going home to-morrow, also we knew this
to be our last day in Jackson Park and used every minute to good
advantage. As a final adieu we walked
through the Midway Plaisance once more to take our
fare-well supper at the Vienna Restaurant and after enjoying this thoroughly we
turned toward our Hotel entirely worn out, as we were on our feet, or rather in
the fair grounds, from 7:15 am.to 9:15 p.m., so this
[p.74]
was not only the last but also the longest day of our visit.
When leaving the
grounds we turned around once more & gave a last look at the buildings,
very sorry we had to leave as our 10 days limit had passed too quick, still
staying longer would not have been of material benefit to us, as I was told
that it would take 13 years to see all exhibits and spend only 5 minutes with
each. At about 9:30 we arrived at our
hotel and retired for the
night.
To-day old Lake
Michigan gave us an exhibition of what he could do
[p.75]
in rolling up big & high waves, which was a grand
spectacle to see. These waves break up
and dash against the well built levees, leaving sand,
shells, crabs, fish, etc. as deposit & a reminder of their force. This exhibition of course was not on the
program for to-day, but was caused by the high wind yesterday.
I forgott to mention that on our way to the Midway Plaisance, we walked through the wooded Island which we
have visited every day, while passing from one Building to the other. Tonight this was illuminated by thousands of
chines [Chinese] Lanterns and coloured glass lamps, a
sight that will not so easy be forgotten .
[p.76]
August 30th
The weather this
morning is fine, Sun bright and warm.
After a good nights rest we woke up at 6:15, and packing up for the trip
home, was in order. Mary & Etta attented [sic] to this & I went out for information,
which train we could travel on, but was not successfull,
to find out what I wanted, but sifted it down to the 10:30 am. or 3:30 p.m. train. We preferred the 10:30 train & got ready
for it, & shipped our trunk back to Englewood. Now we set down to Breakfast, which
[p.77]
we did justice, knowing that we had a long trip before us. After this I paid our Hotel bill (18.00
Dollars) for use of Room & we were ready to start for home. We walked to 63 Street where we took Electric
for Englewood. Upon arriving there we
found out our tickets were not good on the 10:30 train so we could do nothing
else but waite for the 3:30
Express. To kill time we strolled all
over Englewood to get a glass of Bier and a lunch, but there is none to be had
here, so we walked back to the Depot. While
waiting here, we learned that over on State street,
only 1 block from here, we
could
[p.78]
get a good glass of bier, so we went
there to pass the time and by and by, 3:30 p.m. came around and our train showed
up. To judge by the crowd waiting for
this train, we were very much affraid to get
comfortable seats, but were agreeably surprised to find plenty of seats,
although at Grand
Crossing every seat was occupied, and after leaving South-Chicago a great many
had to stand up or make a seat of their hand-baggage. Laport and South
Bend were reachd O.K, so Elkhard
where our train stopped for Supper, so I bought 2 Bottles of Bier and got out
our
[p.79]
celebrated Lunch, which we bought at Chicago
(Garfield Hotel Restaurant) consisting of 9 sandwiches and 6 pieces of muskmelon
for which I had paid $1.50. The Roast
beef in sandwiches was so tough we had to throw it away, so had only slices of
Bread & Butter for $1.50.
After leaving here
it got dark, so naturally most everybody fell asleep, and reached Toledo
all right. Here we had to waite quite a while, as some of
the day cars were cut off & the passengers in same had to find seats in
remaining coaches and then the 2d section with the sleepers was coupled to our
train. This made
[p.80]
it a very heavy train for the engine to pull and consequently
our train was almost 1 Hour late at Cleveland. On our arrival at Erie, we were 40 minutes
late, which ratio was kept up till we reached Buffalo shortly before 8 a.m. on
August 31st, where C. Kaiser, Carie and Else were
awaiting us with our 2 seater, which took us home
hail [sic] and hearty, although a little tired from loss of sleep last night,
but otherwise, happy and well satisfied with our Columbian Exposition trip, which here with ends, so also the
purpose of these memorandums.
[p.81-87]
Expense account
Cash received
Check 125.00
Cash 5.00
Tickets 33.75
$ 163.75
August
21 trunk to depot .25
21 spent on train 1.85
21 electric RR to
hotel .15
22 spoons 5.50
22 lunch .70
22 gave Etta .25
22 Esquimaux .75
22 doll for Else .50
22 lunch .75
22 closets .30
22 lunch .70
22 trunk 1.00
22 breakfast .75
22 exposition entrance 1.25
23 exposition entrance
1.25
23 Etta (nic-nacs)
.55
23 beer,
shaving .40
23 China’s nick-nacks 1.20
23 breakfast .75
23 dinner 1.10
23 Mary breast pin .50
23 Columbus book .35
23 beer
in Tunis
Restaurant .25
23 Cliff Dweller .60
23 oranges .10
23 elevated R.R. .30
23 moving sidewalk .15
23 supper .75
23 2 hot whiskies .40
23 newspaper, water .05
24 breakfast .75
24 postage, newspaper .05
24 fair entrance 1.25
24 glass pins .25
24 rose oil and pipes 1.00
24 glass blowers .25
24 Carie
hatchet pin .60
24 plate and stand 1.00
24 beer .25
24 Ferris wheel 1.50
24 Austrich
farm .30
24 Chinese village .35
24 Japanese bazaar .25
24 Persian bazaar .20 [? might be 40]
24 dinner 1.10
24 rubber stamp, Tunis .25
24 beer,
Hungarian .30
24 sand[illegible] .10
24 Hagenbecks
menagerie
and beer 2.40
24 Ferris wheel
picture .10
24 pipes .30
24 Java village .80
24 beer &
cigarettes .25
24 40 Beautiful Women .50
24 supper .95
24 cane .25
25 whiskey .25
25 breakfast .75
25 fair entrance 1.25
25 cave[?]
in Hootic
.15
25 stones in case[?] .30
25 beer .25
25 dinner 1.50
25 cider .20
25 silk worms &
silk patch .50
25 supper 1.55
25 2 bottles beer .35
26 grapes, whiskey .25
26 breakfast .75
26 fair entrance 1.25
26 beer .25
26 silks in machine
shop 1.75
26 dinner .85
26 beer .30
26 cork tree, candy .10
26 supper,
Vienna
Restaurant .75
26 14 beer .75
26 1 cigar .10
27 whiskey .15
27 dinner & beer 1.60
27 breakfast .75
27 grapes .10
27 fair entrance 1.25
27 Buffalo Bill 2.25
27 beer .45
27 Buffalo Bill
program .10
27 Art Gallery guide .35
27 shaving,
newspapers .20
28 breakfast [blank]
28 R.Road
& Street cars
to Chicago .75
28 lunch & big scooner
of beer .35
28 dress .50
28 souvenir, candy 1.25
28 street car .15
28 Libby Prison
souvenir
guide
1.40
28 car back .15
28 pipes, tobacco
.85
28 street car to hotel
.15
28 lunch & beer
.60
28 supper & beer
.95
29 whiskey .15
29 breakfast .75
29 fair entrance 1.25
29 fane[?] .50
29 beer .35
29 German building
.25
29 lunch .60
29 California Rose
Garden .60
29 muskmelon .05
29 supper, beer 1.25
29 popcorn .10
29 supper .10
29 whiskey .30
29 fruit, newspaper
.25
29 hotel 18.00
29 lunch to take home 1.50
29 breakfast .75
30 trunk and fee
.75
30 cigars .10
30 beer .55
30 despatch[?] .25
30 2 bottles beer
.50
30 book .50
31 trunk .25
31 R.R. tickets 33.75
31 cash brought back 27.10
31 not accounted for 2.20
163.75
$163.75
Cash ret. $27.10
Present bght. 16.85 43.95
Actually spent $119.80