CHAPTER XIII.

MINES AND MINING BUILDING.

The Department of Mines Excels all Former Exhibits of its Kind — Included in This Display is Every
Kind of Material from the Rough State to the Finished Product — Artistic and Instructive Group-
ing — Striking Exhibit from New South Wales — Michigan Makes a Fine Display of Copper in
Various Shapes— Missouri Shows Zinc, Lead, Iron and Other Minerals — Canada Contributes
Nickel, Silver and Gold — Montana's Pavilion a Centre of Attraction — The Silver Statue of Ada
Rehan — Colorado Makes a Magnificent and Dazzling Display -California Shows Gold, Silver,
Copper, Tin, Borax, Quicksilver, and Many Other Minerals— Its Marble and Onyx Exhibit Chal-
lenges General Admiration— Ponderous Mining Machinery in Operation — Miniature Mining Plants
With Devices for Boring, Lighting, Hoisting and Pulverizing— Methods of Separating Ores — Old
Style Rockers and Long Toms — All the New Implements— Magnificent Exhibits of Coal and Iroif
by Ohio and Pennsylvania— The Wonderful German Exhibit— The Finest Ever Made Before it
Any Country — Sketch of Chief Skiff.

an aggregation of the products of the mines of the
world as is now represented in the Mines and Mining
building has never been seen before. All the states
and territories of the Union; far-off Alaska, Australia,
Brazil, Mexico, and Southern AfricajGreat Britain, Germany,
Canada and Greece — all are represented. Of the foreign
countries Germany and Australia lead; while the friendly
but vigorous rivalry between the great metal-producing
states and the territories of America has been productive
of wonderful results. The German exhibit includes a dis-
play of iron and steel girders in pyramids arranged in either an ar-
tistic or grotesque form, and a tree made up of wire and iron pipe
of all manufactured sizes. This display, which cost $50,000, is the finest iron and
steel exhibit ever made at a world's exposition. Native workmen, labored on
this exhibit for four months.

The exhibit of New South Wales attracts much attention, not ofjly from the
character, but the size as well, of the display. The entrance to the New South
Wales Pavilion is marked by columns of metal ingots; each containing six tons of
copper, tin, antimony and silver ore. There are also pillars of bituminous coal
twelve feet high, the blocks being four feet square, representing the average thick-
ness of the vein from which they were taken. A column of cannelcoal is also shown.
This coal, which is locally known as "petroleum shale," yields 150 gallons of crude
petroleum to the ton. On raised platforms are shown specimens of reef and placer
gold, while samples of iron, copper, manganese, antimony and other metals are ad-

346 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

vantageously displayed. The coal columns are spanned by a triple arch, sprinkled
with coal dust, on which are shown in silver letters the yearly output of coal and
minerals.

California, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, and
Wisconsin astonish the beholder even if he be familiar with the mineral resources
of these states.

Among the state exhibits Wisconsin stands in the very front rank and
attracts admiration. Many of its most valuable specimens enter into the construc-
tion of a magnificent pagoda twenty-five feet high and occupying a floor space
on one of the best blocks in the building, forty-nine feet long by forty-five feet
wide. This pagoda consists of four monoliths resting on elaborately carved bases
furnished by the Prentice Brown Stone company. There are two entrances of terra-
cotta surmounted by the coat of arms of the state. The railing extending around
the four sides is made of green jasper and fancy granites with wrought brass panels
of clever design. The plans show that the pavilion in the center rests on four blocks
of different colored granite, and the capitals of the columns which hold them are
liberally studied with amethysts and other brilliant stones. The fountains in the
center of the pagoda are also of amethyst, the whole forming one of the most attrac-
tive features in Chief Skiff's department of the great show. The entire display rep-
resents an outlay of $20,000. The pagoda is filled with handsome show-cases con-
taining the best specimens of ores and mineral of all kinds that Wisconsin can pro-
duce. For instance, there is one case holding $250,000 worth of pearls. It was
designed by the Beatty Manufacturing company. This display rests on a plat-
form made of white and black marble tiling, the whole being surmounted by a
beautifully-gilded dome, richly ornamented, thus giving the display a showy effect
both from the galleries and distant sections of the building.

Kentucky's mineral exhibit is one of the chief points of interest to all classes
of visitors in the Mines and Mining building. In addition to the display of mineral
products, tastefully arranged in a gallery nearly 150 feet long, under the building, is
reproduced a section of the famous Mammoth Cave. The wonders of the cave are
displayed by means of paper and plaster work, stalactites being reproduced in staff,
and a collection of blind fish and other animal life peculiar to the big Kentucky
hole are exhibited. The entrance to the Kentucky pavilion, which stands near the
north end of the Mining building, is a mammoth arch of polished cannel coal. This
arch is thirty feet high, twenty-three wide, and over the entrance in letters of gold
the word "Kentucky" is emblazoned. Just inside the entrance is a relief map of the
state, 5x10 feet, constructed on a scale of four inches to the mile, and showing every
river, town, village, city, mountain range, and other geological features. The dis-
play of iron ore from various sections of the state makes a splendid showing, while
the specimens of coal, building stone, and tile clayare artistically arranged in groups
representing the east and west sections of the state. Kentucky produces the finest
tile clay known in the United States, and some splendid specimens of the burnt tile
are shown at the main entrance and on the tiers of steps on each side of the pavilion.

"STATUE OF JUSTICE" IN MONTANA EXHIBIT OF MINES BUILDING.

348 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

Michigan makes a generous display of copper and iron ores and refined cop-
per, and exhibit of the machinery and methods of working the mines. The copper
mining industry of the northern peninsula has reached a great height, and thus far
the output more than equals the demand.

One of the most interesting of all the exhibits is that of the Cape Colony
diamond plant, and the daily operations of the Zulus attract great crowds.

The exhibit of Wyoming, in charge of Harry E. Grain, was collected largely
and installed by Ur. L. D. Ricketts, late territorial geologist of Wyoming, and is
one of the most attractive in the group of far western states, not from the stand-
point of gorgeousness, but from the fact that Wyoming is the "Keystone State"
of the West in the vastness and richness of its coal and iron and in its deposits of
sodium and sand and other minerals that enter into the manufacture of glass. Pro-
fessor John Berkenbine, of Philadelphia, says that, on account of its deposits of
oils, coal, Bessemer, and its timber and water courses, Wyoming will some day be-
come the greatest manufacturing state west of the Mississippi river. Its coal out-
put in 1883 was 779,620 tons, which has kept on increasing every year until in 1893
it reached 2,322,787 tons. Its oils are preferred to any other for lubricating pur-
poses by many of the western railways, while its iron ore fields are known to cover
an area of 26,000 square miles. The exhibit, itself, has been an artistic one from ,
the first, and some beautiful moss agates and slabs of other peculiar stones, pyra-
mids and shafts of coal and Bessemer and huge blocks of sodium may be seen,
while its collection of tin ore received the first award. The President of the State
Commission, John S. Harper, is one of the leading men of Wyoming; and Mr. Ell-
wood Mead is the secretary, who, although the principal executive officer of the
commission, has special charge of the agricultural section. The Yellowstone Park
stands conspicuously at the head of all other spectacular scenery in the world.

The Pennsylvania pavilion is just in front of the north entrance east of the
main aisle. Stepping into the pavilion the visitor passes between neatly finished
glass cases containing 300 bottles filled with petroleum products. The bottles are
twelve inches high, four inches wide, and one inch thick, and bear the State coat of
arms. In front of these cases stands a huge relief map of the State 7x14 feet, show-
ing the location of all coal and iron mines, oil and glass fields, blast furnaces, pipe
lines, and railroads. The most attractive feature in the exhibit is a complete work-
ing model of a coal mine and breaker. The model occupies a space 24x8 feet. Nine
engines are shown and the work they do from the time the coal is hauled up the in-
clines, dumped into screens, where it is assorted into sizes and loaded into railroad
cars, while the mine cars return by gravity for fresh loads. Beside the model
stands a little pavilion constructed to show the possibilities of slate. Every use
to which slate can be put — for pillars, roofing, school slates, and so on — is
shown. At the west side stand sixteen trumcated pyramids, disposed in rec-
tangular form, showing all the varieties of anthracite found in the anthracite
region and also all the commercial sizes. Analyses of the different varieties are
exhibited. At the corners of the rectangle are glass cases two feet square and eight
feet high displaying the varieties of bituminous coal. A colored drawing is shown

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

349

illustrating the manufacture of zinc oxide and spiegelite, which is used for recar-
bonizing iron from the manufacture of steel. Another case contains samples of the
thirty varieties of fire clay found in the State, crude and burnt, and the bricks made
from it. Nextto it are casesshowingthe varietiesof tile clays, crude, floated, ground,

unburnt, burnt, glazed, and unglazed. There
are also samples of the seventy-eight varieties
of building stone in the State, finished and un-
finished, shown at the north end of the pavil-
ion. Then there are samples of the glass
sands of the State, the different mixtures used
for the various kinds of glass, and specimens of
the finished product. Soapstone, nickel, man-
ganese, iron ore, and the various stages in
the manufacture of iron with charcoal, an-
thracite, and bituminous coal are to be seen-
Near the model of the mine and breaker
stands a primitive furnace, such as was used
in the beginning of the iron industry. Grouped
about it are the various tools used in mining.
Upon the south and east walls are photographs^
charts, and maps of geological and mineralog-
ical surveys, relief maps, and the like. In
the center of the Mining building stands what
the Pennsylvanians call an anthracite "needle."
It is a shaft of anthracite showing a vertical
section through a fifty-four-foot vein in Schuyl-
kill County, with the coal-slate seams, etc.,
in their proper place. Creede's mineral dis-
play is one of the best from Colorado. It
comprises a collection of twenty-four samples
of ore taken from seventeen mines, showing
silver, gold, zinc, and lead. The silver assays
show from seventeen to 2,100 ounces to the
ton, the gold i-io to 4.35 'ounces, lead from
9% to 70 per cent, and zinc 30 per cent. The
THE MINER. mineral-bearing matter includes quartz, ame-

thyst, rose, jasper and tellurium, spar and

talc. Many of the specimens are said to show large flasks of fine silver and gold.
California's exhibit is worthy of that great state, costing about $10,000. It is
in the form of a Grecian temple, with three main entrances flanked on the sides by
smaller loggias. The central portion of the facade is 20x37 feet in dimensions and
the loggias are 12 feet high. This structure is composite in construction, the
materials coming from all parts of the state, including yellow and mottled marble
from San Bernardinocounty, grayish green sandstone from Alameda county, Rock-

350 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR,

i

land white granite from Placer county, Raymond granite from Fresno county,
yellow sandstone from Santa Clara county, veined marble from Amador county,
onyx from San Luis Obispo county, red sandstone from Ventura county, marble,
Sespe brown sandstone, and soapstone from the Catalina islands off Los Angeles,
and other materials from other parts of the state. The capitals of the four col-
umns at the entrance are of virgin gold and silver, while the bases are of composi-
tion and copper finished. The pavilion is roomy and sub-divided to show to advan-
tage the extensive mineral display that was sent by the state.

Ohio makes a fine display of its stone, coal, and iron. Montana makes one
of the best, its most attractive party being the solid silver statue of Ada Rehan
representing justice. Canada also makes 'a rich display.

Viewed from the galleries or the floor the Mining building carries out to the
letter its chief's account. Not only are its exhibits massive, natural productions,
but they are massed together in a manner which suggests their nature and purpose.
There are great obelisks of metal, solid piles of ore, substantial facades of stone and
cement, and small mountains of coal. One country shines with a pillar of silver
surmounted by Atlas bearing a silver globe, and another shows a shaft of metal
that looks as if it had been hewn out of a solid block, and the observer may see
mining machinery in operation, methods of separating ores, and devices for boring,
lighting, hoisting, and pulverizing.

The Mining building is situated amidst the most beautiful of natural and
architectural surroundings. It faces at the north the western and middle inland
lakes and the flowers and lawns of the Wooded Island. It reflects on the west the
gilded light of the Golden Door and the singularly handsome and unique high-
color finish of the Moorish Palace for the transportation exhibits. It is flanked on
the east by the turreted pavilions of electricity. At the south looms the lofty and
graceful dome of Administration. The architect has seized the inspiration of the
theme, the occasion and a favored environment. Upon a great floor 700 feet long
by 350 feet wide and covering over five and a half acres, he has constructed a
massive and solid structure, relieved and embellished with all the symmetrical and
classic forms and rich ornamentations known to his profession. An arcade consist-
ing of a loggia on the main floor and a deeply recessed promenade on the gallery
floor occupy the main fronts of the building. It is intersected at the center by an
enormous arched entrance 56 feet high and 25 feet broad and at the corners ends in
square pavilions surmounted by low domes. The loggia ceilings are heavily coffered
and emblematical decorations are massed at the prominent points of the furnace.
Its architecture, of early Italian renaissance, with a slight touch of French spirit,
together with the enormous and floating banners, invests the building with the ani-
mation that should characterize a great general Exposition. The interior design
is of no Jess interest than the exterior. The roof rests upon ten great cantilever
trusses so that the floor is practically unencumbered, there being only two rows of
iron columns on either side. This is the first instance of the application of the
cantilever system to building and the result is a structure signally adapted to
exhibition purposes, the gain in space being quite large. The gallery 60 feet wide

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 351

and 25 feet above the main floor extends entirely around the building and is well
lighted by clear-story windows above. The repeated series of large arched windows
along the walls and the extensive glass roof covering furnish abundance of light,
The cost of the building was $250,000. It was commenced in July, 1891, and was
the first building to be finished.

Missouri's pavilion, which is filled whith splendid specimens, is worthy that
great state. The location is central, and the structural materials were contributed
by enterprising local producers. The base of the superstructure is of granite and
the screen wall rising above is composed of yellow Roman brick. The coping,
pilasters, and frieze at the main entrance are of terra cotta, and the panels used in
decorating the entrance are onyx. Wrought out in conspicuous designs are the
Missouri coat of arms, with two life-size Cupids surmounting the main entrance and
festoons caught up at the top in the beak of an eagle. The general effect is very
striking. Among the specimens in the pavilion are a typical specimen of dissemi-
nated lead ore weighing 4,500 pounds, a chunk of pure galena ore weighing 6,500
pounds, and still another exhibit weighing 1,650 pounds, said to be the largest jack
ever taken out of a mine. The iron and zinc ores are also well represented, while
coal, kaolin, or china clay, brick clay, granite, limestone, sandstone, marble, in the
rough and prepared states, form an interesting portion of the exhibit.

One of the most interesting exhibits in the Mining building is the collection
ot safety appliances commonly used by miners in their daily toil. Aside from the
danger incident to all excavations — that of caving in from crumbling roofs or poorly
constructed tunnels — the most prolific source of injury to miners is from fire damp,
causingexplosions, or noxious gases which cause death from inhalation. The exhibit
of apparatus used in ventilating mines, preventing explosions, and in detecting
poisonous gases is very complete. Among these contrivances the most interesting,
as well as the best known, is the safety lamp. The display is historical and progres-
sive, offering an opportunity for the study of the evolution of the safety lamp from
the simple gauze lantern of Davy to the many compartmented benzoline and
electric lamps of today, which combine the double purpose of safe illumination and
the detection of gas in however small quantities. Of the scores of varieties which
have at different times sprung into favor, had their day, and dropped into oblividn
to make room for improved appliances, six of each kind are shown. These are
arranged in the order of their discovery and are in charge of an expert, who ex-
plains all points as to principles of construction and relative merits. The lamps are
sectioned to show compartments, method of operation, direction of draughts, etc.
The most primitive lamps shown are Davy's. He was the inventor of the first lamp,
a flame isolated from the dangerous fire damp. His lamp had a fine gauze around
and above the flame, which, under ordinary circumstances, prevented the flame
coming in contact with the exterior air. The clanny lamp followed, the inventor
adding a glass tube, in which the flame was incased. Then, in rapid succession,
followed Geordie, Muessler, and Thomas with modifications of the glass and
draught. ' It was then found that the gas given off by the burning wicks was
injurious in itself, and recourse was had to various spirit lamps, one fed with air

352

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

saturated with hydrocarbon vapors, and another using benzoline from a sponge
reservoir. When it was found that the gas in coal mines in which fine dust was
flying became very dangerous, even when present in but small quantities, inventors
hit upon the plan of attaching gas ventilators to the lamps. When it was found
that the miners using safety lamps injured their eyes from straining to see by the
poor light of the lamps, caused by the use of the gauze, it remained for the promi-
nent electricians, such as Edison, Pollack, Breguet, and Stella, to come forward
with a safety light. Portable electric lamps were made, dispensing with the fumes
-of the old-style lamps, and answering all the requirements of brilliant light, sim-
plicity of mechanism, and lightness of weight. These lamps are shown with all the
intermediate steps in the progress of their development.

Swedish manufacturers are especially rich in the department of iron and
steel. Probably the most attractive single-piece is a mammoth polished steel shield,
eight feet high, on which are displayed, around a central medallion, twenty scenes,
illustrating the Frithiof's saga. It was made in Gothenberg and is valued at
$1,500. Another showy product of Swedish mines and factories is a giant band saw,
220 feet long and 12 inches wide, said to be the largest ever made. It was rolled at
Sandwick. Fine edge tools and specimens of Dannemora steel, the hardest in the
world, make the bulk of the iron exhibit. Fine pottery, carved woods, art furniture,
and safety matches, in the manufacture of which Sweden has never let the rest of

the world overtake her, are also shown. The
decorations of the building are largely devoted
to wax groups illustrating the peasant life of
the country, and the national pastimes, skating,
snow shoeing, sail skating, and other wintry
sports. Upon the walls are portraits of Swe-
den's great ones, such as Tegner, Linnaeus,
Oxenstiern, and Queen Christina. Frederick
J. V. Skiff, chief of the mines and mining de-
partment, was born at Chicopee, Mass., Nov.
5, 1851. He came west before attaining his
majority and settled in Lawrence, Kan., where
he entered the newspaper business. He lived
in Lawrence for eight years and owned and
edited the Evening Standards 1887, when he
left Lawrence and went to Denver to become
city editor of the Rocky Mountain News. He
subsequently went to the Denver Tribune, of
which paper he was general manager and part
owner in 1885, when he left the newspaper field
to organize a land and loan company. In 1887 Mr. Skiff was appointed superin-
tendent of the Colorado bureau of immigration and statistics, and in that capacity
made several collections of the mineral resources of the State, which were exhib-
ited in the St. Louis and Chicago expositions, and now are on permanent exhi-

CHIEF SKIFF.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

353

bitions in the Pueblo Mineral Palace. He was appointed a member of the Na-
tional Commission for Colorado in 1890 and was chairman of the committee on
mines and mining for that body. In June, i8gi, Mr. Skiff was made chief of the
mines and mining department of the Exposition, where he remained until the close.

COLORADO EXHIBIT.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

355