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 Chicago and New York — Chicago
Successful — Congress Votes in its Favor — Preliminary Action — Subscription of Stock — Board of
Directors and Other Officers Elected — LymanJ.Gage the First President of the Chicago Directory
—Congressional Provisions for Commissioners— Raising of Money— Appointment of Commis-
sioners— 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.

T IS admitted that, during the past twelve or fifteen years,
there has not been an insignificant number who have pro-
^ ,'yM HP Posed and even agitated a World's Columbian Exposition —
/ IBy Hv that is, a world's celebration of the four hundredth anniversary

4 *l%il °^ t'le discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. But

I *3mL l* seems to be conceded that Dr. T. W. Zaremba, a well-known
• ifef^» German-American, is the person to whom the distinguished
honor most properly belongs, as abundant proofs are accessible
that this gentleman, impressed with the grandeur and benefits
of the Centennial, in a few years afterward imparted to Gen.
John C. Fremont, Peter Cooper and Charles A. Lament,
whom he met in New York at the Cooper Institute in 1882, his views regarding
his new scheme.

It was not until June n, 1884, however, that Dr. Zaremba made any pro-
nounced movement, upon which day he sent to the diplomatic representatives of
foreign powers at Washington an invitation to a conference to consider the celebra-
tion of the fourth centenary of America's discovery by Columbus by a World's
Fair in Mexico. Sixteen days thereafter he confided his plan to George R. Davis

WELCOME.

Ani

nterior view of the parlor of a resident of Chicago as it appears after he lias completed arrangements for the reception of friends
who have signi6ed their intention of visiting him during the WorkPs Fair.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 23

and P. V. Duester, at that time members of Congress, and a day or two later to
William F. Poole of Chicago, whom he met on Broadway in New York. July n,
1884, he wrote concerning it to Benson Lossing, the historian.

In the summer of 1885 Dr. Zaremba was in Chicago. Still enthusiastic over
his plan for the celebration he conferred with Levi Leiter, John P. Reynolds, Edwin
Lee Brown and John B. Drake on the subject. In Wisconsin, in the fall of the
same year, he chanced to see an article in a Chicago newspaper suggesting that a
World's Fair be held to celebrate Columbus' discovery, and that Chicago be the
site. Dr. Zaremba immediately returned to Chicago and began to work on his own
proposition with not altogether encouraging results. November 24, 1885, he re-
ceived from Secretary of State Dement license to organize "The Chicago Columbian
Centenary World's Fair and Exposition Company." He immediately called a
meeting, which was held in club room 4 of the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago.

Among the men who responded to his invitation were A. C. and Washington
Hesing, A. B. Pullman, John A. Sexton, W. K. Sullivan, and several newspaper
reporters. The meeting resulted only in a general talk, but the lukewarm interest
evinced by the public in his pet project did not check the ardor of Dr. Zaremba.

In 1886, while the American Historical Society was in session in Washing-
ton, Dr. Zaremba brought his Columbus monument and attendant propositions to
the notice of that body. A committee to confer with the President of the United
States was appointed by the Historical Society with the hope that the chief magis-
trate would call the attention of Congress to the question and thereby obtain an
expression of opinion as to the best manner of celebrating the fourth centenary of
America's discovery. Philadelphia, which had kept its eye on the movement, imme-
diately sent a committee to Washington for the purpose of obtaining an appro-
priation for such a celebration to be held in that city. Thus for the first time the
dim possibility of a World's Fair in this country to celebrate Columbus' feat took on
an aspect of probability. In February, 1882, the year that the indefatigable Dr.
Zaremba was impressing the advisability of his scheme on the minds of Peter Cooper
and other New York men, there was printed in a Chicago newspaper a letter from
Dr. Harlan, a Chicago dentist, m which he suggested Chicago as the proper place
for a World's Fair. In 1885 Dr. Harlan's suggestion was revived, and a joint com-
mittee was appointed from the Chicago, Commercial, Union League and Iroquois
clubs to take action on the matter and report.

Early in 1886 a Board of Promotion was organized in New England to
secure congressional action in the direction of a centenary celebration. Ex-Governor
Claflin, of Massachusetts, acted as president of this board. Following closely upon
its organization, July 3ist, a resolution was introduced by Senator Hoar, of Mas-
sachusetts, for the appointment of a joint congressional committee of fourteen to con-
sider the advisability of holding a Fair. Senator Hoar's proposition was to have
temporary and permanent buildings for 'such a Fair erected in Washington, D. C.

As soon as it became evident that the World's Fair would be a coveted
honor and that the rivalry among the leading cities of America for the distinction of
holding it would be keen, Chicago prepared to get it. The City Council passed a

24 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

resolution July 22, 1889, instructing the mayor to appoint a committee of one hun-
dred to induce Congress to locate the Fair in Chicago. A few days later Thomas
B. Bryan was requested by several prominent men to write a resolution favoring the
location of the Fair at Chicago. This Mr. Bryan did, and at a meeting held in the
council chamber the resolution was adopted after a thorough discussion of the sub-
ject in all its phases.

August 15, 1889, the Secretary of State at Springfield, 111., granted a license
to De Witt C. Cregier, Ferdinand W. Peck, George Schneider, Anthony F.
Seeberger, William C. Seipp, John R. Walsh and E. Nelson Blake to open sub'
scription books for the proposed corporation entitled "The World's Exposition of
1892, the object of which is the holding of an international exhibition or World's
Fair in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois to commemorate on its four hun-
dredth anniversary the discovery of America."

The first World's Fair bill was introduced in the United States Senate by
Senator Cullom, of Illinois, December 19, 1889. January n, 1890, De Witt C.
Cregier, then mayor of Chicago, Thomas B. Bryan and Edward T. Jeffery appeared
before a special committee of the United States Senate and addressed the same in
support of Chicago's application. It was at that meeting that Mr. Bryan experienced
the satisfaction of defeating Chauncey M. Depew, who led the New York delega-
tion. For this victory Mr. Bryan was complimented by the entire press of the
country outside of New York.

How bitterly the battle was waged between east and west all the world
knows. Nothing that could influence the decision of Congress was left undone.
Nothing that the press could contribute toward the settlement of the problem was
left unwritten. It was, therefore, a signal indorsement of Chicago's persistency and
pluck, when in the face of the opposition of the representatives of the Eastern
interests Congress voted, February 24, 1890, to have the Exposition in Chicago.

Then began on the part of the citizens of Chicago that united effort for the
carrying out of the project which has resulted in success so complete and so mag-
nificent as to break down all prejudices, and to compel the admiration of the civil-
ized world. Capital for the organization of the World's Fair was subscribed March
23, 1890. A meeting of subscribers to the capital stock was held in Battery D,
April 4, 1890, and a full Board of Directors was elected, which, in turn, April 3Oth,
elected Lyman J. Gage, president; Thomas B. Bryan and Potter Palmer, vice-
presidents; Anthony F. Seeberger, treasurer; Benjamin Butterworth, secretary, and
William K. Ackerman, auditor. The first meeting of the new directory was held
April 1 2th. President Harrison signed the measure, locating the Exposition in
Chicago. This provided for the creation of the World's Columbian Exposition
Board, to consist of two commissioners appointed by the President for each state
and territory, of eight commissioners-at-large, and two from the District of Col-
umbia, each with alternates.

The question of funds was met promptly by the Illinois Legislature, which,
in a special session held June 12, 1890, authorized the city of Chicago to increase its
bonded indebtedness $5,000,000 in aid of the Exposition. The name was changed

\J IV I

BOVERr "- STATE UNIVERSITY

PARK FbBEST SOUTH, ILL

DIRECTORS WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.

1.
4.

7.
10.
18.

LYMAN J. GAGE. 2.

FERDINAND W. PECK. 5.

THOMAS B. BRYAN. 8.

WILLIAM T. BAKER. 11.

ROBERT A. WALLER. 14.

HARLOW N. HIOINBOTHAM.
GEORGE R. DAVIS.
EDWARD B. BUTLER.
GEORGE SCHNEIDER.
ALEXANDER E. RETELL.

5. FREDERICK 8. WINSTON.

6. CHARLES H. WACKER.
9. JonN J. P. ODELL.

12. CHARLES HENROTIN.

15. EDWIN WALKER.

26 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

to the World's Columbian Exposition, with the capital increased to $10,000,000.
While this action of the State Legislature by no means solved the financial problems
with which the Fair had to contend, it went a long way toward inspiring confidence
in the movement, and placed the Exposition on a sound basis.

Dr. Zaremba was born July 29, 1842, at Koenigsburg, Prussia, where his
father was a petty officer in the Third Regiment of Cuirassiers, and afterward an
internal revenue officer at the city of Memel, where Zaremba attended the primary
school until 1854, when in October of that year he entered the military school at
Potsdam. In 1857, being transferred to the Military Academy, he studied the
higher branches in connection with military education and tactics, becoming at the
same time personally acquainted with the late Emperor Frederick of Germany. In
1859, he entered the service of the Royal Guard Artillery at Berlin, and within ten
months was transferred to the staff of Prince Wilhelm of Baden, who took special
interest in him, and secured a special permit for Zaremba to attend the lectures of
the Berlin University. In 1862, he went to Moscow, Russia, and while finishing his
studies in medicine and philosophy he wrote a manual of military gymnastics for
the Russian army. 'In September, 1865, Zaremba coming with his mother to
Chicago went to St. Joseph, Mich. He soon returned to Chicago, however, and
practiced his profession as a physician until the great fire. In 1871, he became one
of the founders of the Chicago Athenaeum; Dr. Zaremba was one of the prime
movers' in the Interstate and Industrial Exposition in 1872 and 1873. In November,
1878; when the International Commercial Convention assembled at Farwell Hall,
Dr. Zaremba was appointed a city delegate by Mayor Heath. In January, 1879,
he started with the first Industrial Excursion from Chicago to Mexico, which formed
the entering wedge for American, trade in that country.

In the fall of 1891,; the Exposition company sent a commission (presided
over oy the commissioner-at-large, Thomas B. Bryan) , to southern Europe. Up to
that time neither the people nor the rulers in that region of the world had mani-
fested the slightest interest in the Exposition, but the commissioners appealed to
both the potentates and the people, informing them fully of the stupendous under-
taking in which this nation had embarked, and after some five months so spent in
industriously disseminating all the information available, the most gratifying
change of sentiment occurred and the liveliest interest was inspired. Not only did
kings and queens respond most encouragingly (speaking alternately in French and
German, as they had been addressed) , but the Pope also acknowledging that he
was surprised to learn of the grand scale of the international Exposition, promised
to contribute generously to its success, and did so first by his cordial letter to Com-
missioner-at-large Bryan (translated and circulated in many lands) , and next by
contributing treasures never before permitted to leave the Vatican. The commis-
sioner-at-large has, since that European mission, been incessantly occupied in con-
ducting correspondence, and in multifold office work, delivering lectures and other-
wise advancing the interests of the Exposition.

Thomas B. Bryan was born December 22, 1828, in Alexandria, Va. His
father, Hon. Daniel Bryan, was a prominent man in Virginia. He represented his

HON. THOMAS B. HRYAN.

COMMISSIONER-AT-LARGE, WOKLD'S COLUMBIAN COMMISSION.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 27

d.atrict in the State Senate, besides holding other important positions. James and
Philip Barbour, his mother's brothers, served in the highest offices of the State, in
the United States Senate, United States Supreme Court, and in the Cabinet as
Secretary of War. Mr. Bryan was graduated at Harvard University in 1848.
While pursuing his college studies he wrote a book in the German language, the
aim of which was to make it easy for Germans to acquire the English language.
Many editions have been sold, it being pronounced an excellent work. He is also
familiar with the French, conversing quite fluently in that tongue. Mr. Bryan
married early in life Miss Jennie B. Page, daughter of an Episcopal clergyman.
She is spoken of as a most gentle, accomplished and excellent lady. Their wedded
life, which has already passed the fortieth anniversary, is very harmonious. After
several years' successful practice of his profession in Cincinnati, in partnership- with
Judge Hart, Mr. Bryan came to Chicago in 1852, where he has been engaged in
business up to the present time, with the exception of three years in Colorado, and
during his governorship of the district of Columbia. Although Mr. Bryan is a very
energetic man he is not ambitious. He has occupied many prominent positions
with great credit to himself, and if he had been more eager for fame or political
power, he might have been a leading opator, statesman or diplomat. After the
death of Bayard Taylor, Mr. Bryan was strongly recommended for his successor as
ambassador to Germany, the leading newspapers of the United States uniting in
the recommendation. But, when Andrew D. White, of Cornell University, was
mentioned for the position, Mr. Bryan encouraged the appointment, gracefully
retiring from the field. Mr. Bryan, as vice-prasident of the World's Columbian
Exposition, addressed conventions in many of the States, besides visiting Europe,
where he succeeded in overcoming strong prejudices against the Exposition, and
in arousing latent forces in its behalf. After his successful efforts at Washington
. he gained another great victory in the effort to get the consent of the Legislature
of the State of Illinois to authorize the city of Chicago to issue $5,000,000 in bonds
for the benefit of the Fair. He was afterward appointed commissioner-at-large.
Mr. Bryan is a sound lawyer, being a close student in his profession, and, as a con-
vincing speaker, unusually gifted.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR

COMMISSIONER-AT-LARGE THOS. B. BRYAN'S OPINION OF THE
LASTING BENEFITS OF THE FAIR.

HE mammoth temples now dedicated to industry and the arts
will survive that dedication but a few months and then be
demolished. But there will be some salvage. Much of their
material will enter into other structures of a more enduring
character, if not of equal renown. And so from the Expo-
sition itself there will be great salvage — much, indeed, that
will escape identification with its origin, but much directly
traceable to the great Fair. This fruitage is too prolific a
theme for skilful handing in so narrow a compass as this, but a
glance may be had at a choice specimen of the fruit, here
and there, just as one might stop to pluck an orange or a
star-apple in some inter-tropical region.
One resulting benefit, and perhaps that of widest reach and greatest value, will
be the largely increased acquaintance we may thenceforth enjoy with other peoples,
and their better knowledge of Americans. It is not less true than amazing that
millions upon millions of otherwise enlightened people scattered over the Eastern
Continent know but little more of America than did its discoverer when the float-
ing thorn branch with its flowers and scarlet berries gave promise of the coveted
land on the morrow. The Indians, of whom he wrote so often and so graphically, are
supposed by many people in the Old World to still constitute a very considerable if
not dangerous part of our population. Those millions abroad seem never to have
heard of the touchingly pathetic lament of Red Jacket (and which at the close of
another year we hope may not be echoed by our Exposition): "We stood, a small
island in the bosom of great waters. They rose; they pressed upon us, and the
waves once settled over us; we are gone forever! Who now lives to mourn us?
None! What marks our resting-place? Nothing!"

The Ethnological Department of the Fair will greatly extend our general
knowledge of those aborigines, as well as of the prehistoric races that inhabited
this land. Although at first blush we are apt to regard the discovery of America
as of a very remote period in the past, yet, in fact, why should four centuries be
considered more than a mere break of old Father Time, but four links in his end-
less chain, a single arch in the bridge of history and tradition? Science and re-
search are now spanning that arch to bring all mankind into the immediate
presence of the great event that we are now celebrating.

Ten thousand times ten thousand benefits of a practical nature must
assuredly result from the exhibits in all departments of human industry and skill.
The ingenuity of man, already exercised to its utmost capacity for impressive dis-

30 HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR.

I

play at the Fair, will be stimulated in numberless directions by observation at the
Exposition and by the suggestions to which it may give birth. This expansion and
improvement or beneficial development of the inventive faculties and of skill will
extend in some measure to the fine arts, here comparatively in their infancy.
From the fact of that infancy America may at least derive one consolation — that it
is not included in the sad lament that "the names of great painters are like passing
bells; in the name of Valesquez you hear sounded the fall of Spain; in the name of
Titian that of Venice; in the name of Leonardo that of Milan; in the name of
Raphael that of Rome."

Of the general educational advantages to flow from our grand Ex-
position it is impracticable here to treat further than in the most casual mention.
Then the great Krupp gun, to transport which special derricks, a, special ship, and
special cars were provided, can give an instructive idea of the formidable energy
of modern warfare as compared with the primitive cannon introduced but shortly
before the birth of Columbus. But it is to be hoped that peace congresses may ad-
vance the cause they champion, teaching the world to speed the time when "nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." In
America, above all lands, should be heard and heeded the lessons from the mouth
of the schoolmaster rather than those from the mouth of cannon.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S FAIR. 3'