CHAPTER I.

HOW CHICAGO SECURED THE CELEBRATION.

How and when the Columbian Exposition was conceived — The idea of a celebration of the four hundredth
anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus originated with T. W. Zaremba — His
first desire was to have it in Mexico — How this indefatigable gentleman pursued the object of his thought
— How Chicago took hold of the enterprise — Other metropolitan cities take a hand — Splendid work of
leading Chicago men in Washington — Persistency of all parties interested — The real contest between Chi-
cago and New York — Chicago successful — Congress votes in its favor — Preliminary action — Subscription
of stock — Board of Directors and other officers elected — Lyman J. Gage the first president of the Chicago
directory — Congressional provisions for commissioners — Raising of money — Appointment of commission-
ers—Zaremba's active life — Appointment of Hon. Thomas B. Bryan commissioner-at-large — Mr. Bryan's
splendid work in Europe — A gentleman and a scholar — Few men living with such rare attainments . 91

Commissioner-At-Large Thoc. B. Bryan's opinion of the lasting benefits of the Fair .... .29