official duties, no more competent, better equipped or
patriotic body of men ever served a State; and it is a
pleasure to record the fact that, without exception,
they responded to the appeal of the Board, accepted
the onerous exactions without protest, and entered at
once upon the labor of preparation. The most cordial
relations were established and, in due time, their several
plans for exhibition, installation and supervision with
estimates of cost, were presented. In every instance
these bore the evidence of careful, intelligent delibera-
tion, a broad and clear comprehension of the spirit and
12
requirements of the law, and a just sense of the respon-
sibility resting upon them. They knew, and it is to be
assumed that the Board recognized the fact that, within
the scope of their several departments, they and they
alone could intelligently dictate and properly execute
the work required by their several exhibits; that upon
themselves primarily must depend the substantial char-
acter of the State exhibit as a whole, and that to them
would be largely due the honor of success or the dis-
honor of failure, provided only their efforts and plans
were not thwarted by causes beyond their control in the
matters of cost and allotment of space for display.
Their original plans and subsequent correspondence are
on file for preservation and reference, and when their
several reports shall be in the archives of the State
their record will be fully made up.
I do not care to comment here on this branch of the
State exhibit farther than to express the opinion that
if in any of these exhibits, when finally installed, there
was manifest any want of completeness in material or
representative character, no just censure can properly
attach to any officer or employe of the State govern-
ment.
Other Sections.
Aside from the foregoing strictly governmental ex-
hibits, and, in some instances, supplemental to them,
other important displays were made by direction of the
Board, in accordance with specific requirements of the
organic law. The most important of these were the fol-
lowing:
1. Public Common Schools.
The methods and results of educational work as pur-
sued in the Public, Technical, Art and High Schools of
the State.
13
The official duties of the State Superintendent of Pub-
lic Instruction precluded the possibility of that officer
giving any attention to the organization of this most
important exhibit, except by counsel and suggestion,
and with the approval of the Board, Prof. Wm. Jenkins,
of Mendota, was induced to accept the position of
Superintendent. In that gentleman were found com-
bined the qualifications of ripe scholarship, thorough
familiarity with the subject through many years of ex-
perience as a teacher and superintendent of schools, a
wide and favorable personal acquaintance with educators
of every class, and executive ability of high order. The
State Teachers' Association, of which he held the secre-
taryship, approved the selection without reserve, and at
once the most cordial cooperation of every educator in
the State was assured.
The result was exactly as anticipated. A great wealth
of material, intelligent discrimination in the selection and
perfection of systematic arrangement, gave us an exhibit
truthfully representative of pupils' work in every grade
of the public common school system throughout the
entire State. Supplementing the kindred exhibits by the
two Normal Universities and the University of Illinois,
it rounded out the educational feature of the State ex-
hibit, and rendered it a source of just pride and con-
gratulation to every citizen intrusted in the work and
mission of the "Little Red School House" in America.
2. Relief Map of the State.
A literal, full compliance with the provision of the
law relating to topography would have required the
Board to conduct a general topographical survey, for
the proper accomplishment of which there was neither
the necessary time nor funds. Hence it was decided to
proceed no further in that direction than the construc-
tion of a Relief Map of the State.
14
Fortunately, Prof. C. W. Kolfe, an accomplished civil
engineer, and also professor of geology in the University
of Illinois, consented, chiefly as a "labor of love", to
organize and direct the necessary survey and the con-
struction of the map. A corps of assistants, some of
whom had been pupils of the University, were selected
by him and placed in the field. He was entirely familiar
with this delicate and difficult work, was already in
possession of much valuable data, and the time being
limited, was able to press the survey to completion as
rapidly as was consistent with careful regard for accu-
racy. There is no reason to question the correctness of
the observations as reported by his assistants, and the
data obtained may, if occasion should offer, doubtless
be safely relied upon in connection with a more extended
survey at some future time. Already the puplishers
have utilized the data thus obtained in the correction
of many errors existing in previous editions of State
and county maps.
3. Archaeology.
The certainly of limited time and of large expense in
conducting the exploration of mounds conspired to cir-
cumscribe the work of discovery in that direction. The
collection already in the State Museum was made the
basis of the exhibit in this section. To this were added,
chiefly by purchase, many specimens found on the sur-
face of the ground in all parts of the State.
Prof. William McAdarns, of Alton, Geologist and
Archaeologist, with much experience in this department
of science, and residing near one of the most interest-
ing and extensive groups of mounds in the world,
was engaged to direct the work of collection. Limited
operations among a few of the most promising mounds
in appearance were rewarded by valuable results, which
his report details in full, and which are certainly encour-
15
aging to future effort. Surface collections possess little
scientific interest as compared with those from the
mounds, because they are not necessarily and generally
not at all characteristic of the locality where found, but
they are desirable in museums, and are fast disappearing
through the industry of commercial collectors and dealers.
The Federal Government, through the intelligent direc-
tion of the Smithsonian Institute, is pursuing a sys-
tematic exploration of the mounds of the United States,
which will, ere long, invade the territory of this State,
and absorb for the National Museum such relics as our
mounds may give up, unless that work shall be antici-
pated by a State survey of the same character.
4. Agriculture, Horticulture and Floriculture.
With the main specific purpose of illustrating the cli-
matic conditions of this State, as they relate to and
effect rural husbandry throughout our nearly four hun-
dred miles of latitude, the law required a full and com-
plete display of all the cultivated products of the several
branches of agriculture, farm culture, horticulture and
floriculture. To facilitate operations, the display was
divided farm products constituting one section, horticul-
ture and floriculture the other. With the approval of
the Board, Commissioners Vittum and Chester were as-
signed to the superin tendency of the former, and Commis-
sioners Pullen and David to the superintendency of the
latter. Owing to the delicacy of the material, and the
difficulty of transporting plants and flowers, a profes-
sional florist, Mr. John C. Ure, of Chicago, was engaged
to make the floricultural display. His exhibit was emi-
nently beautiful, artistic and profuse, and was admir-
ably maintained from the opening to the close of the
Exposition.
In the sections of the farm products and horticulture,
no descriptive words can do justice to the intelligent;.
16
conscientious and successful labors of the gentlemen who
personally, arid with the aid of competent assistants,
selected by themselves, conducted the work of collecting
and installing these displays. The stated purpose of the
law was strictly complied with. Abundant material
truthfully represented the varied and varying production
of every section of the State throughout the entire season
of growth. The installation was systematic, and per-
vaded by decorative forms which challenged the admira-
tion of every visitor, and early became a well known,
attractive feature of the Columbian Exposition. As a
whole and in detail, they afforded a wealth of practical
information in regard to rural husbandry in Illinois
which could not be otherwise or elsewhere obtained.
Their catalogues and records are fully made up, and
possess an enduring value.
5. Architectural Drawings.
In framing the provision of the law relating to archi-
tectural drawings of State buildings, it was assumed,
without inquiry, that in case of every important build-
ing erected bv the State, the original drawings and
specifications used in letting contracts, or copies of them,
were in possession of the State, or otherwise obtainable,
On discovering such not to be the fact, and that a strict
compliance with that provision within the time available
would involve the necessity for the expenditure of a very
large sum, it was thought best to substitute photogra-
phy. A full and complete series of large and first-class
photographs, representing all public State buildings,
with many views of interior rooms and of surrounding
grounds, was executed and appropriately installed for
exhibition. The effect was, in all respects, satisfactory,
while the cost, compared with that of architectural
drawings, was nominal only.
17
6. History and Statistics.
The direction of this work was placed in the hands of
the Secretary of the Board, under whose instruction a
synopsis of the civil history of the State has been pre-
pared. Statistical tables have been compiled, showing
the progress and growth of the State, by counties, in
population and industrial development, by decades, from
the date of its organization (1819) to the year 1890, so
far as correct data proved to be available. A correct
map of each county now organized is included in this
compilation, which is full of facts interesting to every
intelligent citizen of the present day, and will, doubtless,
form the reliable basis of a similar compilation to be
prepared by our successors for the World's Columbian
Exposition of 1992.
In Review.
As a member, and its chief executive officer, my
duties held me to a qualified responsibility in connec-
tion with every act of the Board in all its relations,
particularly from the date of its organization to the
close of its preparatory work on the opening of the
general Exposition May 1, 1893, necessarily, during this
term conducting its important correspondence with all
outside organizations and individuals, and being present
as a representative at all interviews and conferences in-
volving its interests and policies. This intimate and
continuous relation with the transactions of the Com-
mission seems to require of me in this report at least a
brief reference in review of the work which has been ac-
complished.
The vital question which has" been asked, and which
will be asked again and again is: Has the participation
of the State of Illinois in the World's Columbian Expo-
sition, so liberally provided for, substantially fulfilled
its purpose?
_9
18
With a full knowledge of what has been done and of
the conditions under which it has been accomplished, and
assuming to speak only in regard to the Exposition
itself, I do not hesitate to reply in the affirmative.
The law which prescribed and mapped out the work
of the Board was, as nearly as possible, exhaustive in
its requirements and without precedent in its aims and
purposes. The field was large and its path untrodden.
No single citizen of the State possessed that compre-
hensive and definite information which justified him in
deciding in advance just what showing should be or
could be made within the lines laid down, nor, of course,
even approximately fixing the cost. In illustration of
this uncertainty it will be remembered that the original
estimates aggregated $987,000.00; that the available
sum of the appropriation was finally reduced by legisla-
tion to $608,500.00, and that of this sum, at the close
of our labors, there remains an unexpended balance of
about $83,000.00. A similar uncertainty pervaded
others than the financial department, and, necessarily,
more or less modified, if it did not embarrass, the efforts
of some of those engaged in preparing their exhibits.
Nevertheless, while it would be idle to claim that no
error of commission or omission attended the execution
of the task assumed by the Board, while looking back
it is now clear that in some of the departments the dis-
plays might have been more nearly complete, more
valuable and more fully representative, it is safe to say
that, as a whole, the result was creditable to the great
State for which it stood before the world, and that it
presented to the mind of every thoughtful citizen and
visitor, however intelligent, a new fund of useful, prac-
tical information far beyond any just estimate of finan-
cial value. Reference has not been made to the con-
struction, transportation or financial departments for
19
the reason that they were in charge of members having
ample and far more experience in those affairs, and be-
cause other duties seemed to require, as they certainly
received, my conscientious and unremitting attention
during my official term.
In obedience to the instructions of the Board, and just
previous to the public openings, I assigned to special
duty and continuous service during the full term of the
Exposition, in connection with the care of the exhibits,
building and personal property, members of the Board
who were willing to accept such duty. I also presented
an estimate of the force of employes required for the
same term, and apportioned their selection among the
members so that every congressional district might have
an equitable share of such appoinments.
With the force thus fully organized for the remaining
six months' campaign; the work of collecting and pre-
paring material for exhibition in the several depart-
ments substantially completed, save only in those of
farm products, horticulture and floriculture, which
were fully assured; with the installation also substan-
tially complete; with a board of twenty-one members
regularly organized, and to receive monthly salaries for
continuous service, and with no apparent further execu-
tive duty to be performed which did not properly belong
to the functions of a regular presiding officer, I em-
braced the very welcome opportunity to tender my
resignation as Director-in-Chief on the 1st day of May,
1893, in the consciousness of having endeavored, at
least, to discharge my whole official duty to the people
of the State, to the several exhibitors and to the Board.
Respectfully,
JOHN P. REYNOLDS,
CHICAGO, May, 1894. Director-in-Chief.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION AND
INTERIOR FURNISHING.
f'HE Committee on Construction and Interior Fur-
nishing respectfully submit their final report:
The members of the Illinois Board of World's Fair
Commissioners met at the Sherman House in Chicago,
on the 1st day of July, A. D. 1891, and organized
by electing a President, Vice-President, a Secretary and
a Director-in-Chief, and providing for thirteen standing
committees, to be appointed by the President, the first
and chief of which was the Committee on Construction
and Interior Furnishing of the Illinois State Building.
This committee was originally composed of John
Virgin, Chairman, Pace, Pearce, Pullen, Bradley, Vittum,
and Judy, and J. M. Washburn was afterwards added
by an order of the Board ; and Secretary Garrard was
made clerk of the Committee.
On the 5th day of August, W. W. Boyington & Co.
were employed as architects, to prepare and furnish plans
and specifications for the Illinois Building in Jackson
Park, and to supervise the construction, erection, repair-
ing, taking down and removing it, for a gross sum of
$11,500.00.
The plan of the building, made by the architects, ap-
proved by the Committee and adopted by the Board,
was for a main building 450 feet long, east and west,
by 160 feet wide, north and south, three stories high
across each end, w r ith a main entrance at the middle of
each end, with a dome in the center of the building 75
feet in diameter, built up from the foundations of the
building, to the height of 235% feet, and surmounted by
a flag pole 40 feet above the dome. At the center of
20
23
the south side of the main building is a projection or
wing 121 feet long, east and west, by 75 feet wide,
north and south, also three stories high, with a main
entrance at the middle facing south. Also a projection
or wing at the middle of the north side two stories high
and 75 feet long, east and west, by 50 feet wide, north
and south, with a main entrance at the middle facing
the north.
This north wing is also called Memorial Hall, and was
made a fire-proof building. The main building, except
30 feet across each end, which is three stories high, is
built two stories, the floor of the second story consist-
ing of two large galleries, each 16 feet wide, running
from one end of the main building to the other, with
an open space between them 32 feet wide, and between
these galleries and the north side and south side walls
of the building are open spaces, each 48 feet wide.
The foundations of the main building and south wing
are of wood placed on sand, and the walls are of wood
and mortar covered with staff.
The foundations of the north projection are of heavy
timbers; the walls are of brick and mortar, also covered
with staff, and the girders and roof are iron.
That part of the dome below the roof of the main
building is made of timber and mortar, covered with
staff. That part above the roof is made of iron. The
joists, girders and stairways in the building are made
of wood. The roof is made partly of glass, partly of
iron and tin and partly of gravel.
The contract for furnishing the material and erecting
the building complete and keeping it in repair till the
end of the Exposition was let by contract to the lowest
bidder, after advertising the time, place and terms for
thirty days in the Herald, Inter Ocean, News, Tribune
and Times.
22
The bids were opened by the Board of Commissioner?
in session, on the 18th day of November, A. D. 1891,
when it was found that there were quite a number of
bids for the several parts of the work, and one bid of
$195,800 for the entire contract. This bid was by Wil-
liam Harlev & Sou.
After persistent opposition and much consequent delay,
the contract was awarded to William Harlev & Son on
their said bid, it having been ascertained that the lowest
aggregate of the other bids was $204,278.
During the progress of the building a number of
changes were made, some involving an addition to, and
some a deduction from, the original sum contracted for,
and some extras were incurred, adding to the original
price of the building; for all these we refer to the final
report of the Committee on Finance.
The building was accepted and occupied by the Board
of Commissioners on the 15th day of February, A. D.
1893.
Interior Furnishings
Were made from time to time, as their necessity became
apparent.
An ornamental fountain or grotto for drinking water
was erected in the center of the base of the dome and
furnished with two faucets on each of its four sides by
J. B. Mora, under a contract for $1,500. At this foun-
tain pure cool water filtered by the Pasteur system by
Brooks & Clark for $1,600, was furnished free to all
the millions who admired and patronized it.
In the fish department a grotto, with cavern forming
a mountain scene, with a lake at the mountain base and
streams running from the lake, was made by J. P.
Mora for $1,750. The water used in the Fish Exhibit
was filtered by the Jewel Filter Company without cost
to the Board.
23
For the use of the agricultural exhibit a pagoda or
pavilion was erected in the Illinois Building by Whar-
ton, English & Co., and a like pagoda in the Agricul-
tural Building by the same persons. They also built
pyramids, tables, cases, etc., for these agricultural ex-
hibits.
In the horticultural department in the Illinois Build-
ing they built the tables on which the horticultural ex-
hibits were displayed. There were a number of long,
plain tables and also a number of pyramidal tables sur-
rounded with railings, and on which the horticultural
exhibits were tastefully displayed.
In the grain inspection department there were built a
car-box, an office, a number of grain bins and ornament-
al work, and lettering on the wall showing the amount
of business by the Grain Inspection Department in the
year 1892.
Forestry Exhibit.
For the better display of the forestry exhibit, there
was erected a platform on which was exhibited 25 differ-
ent varieties of cultivated woods, inserted into a highly
ornamental farm wagon. Also, frames were built in
rustic work, in which were placed the specimens of both
the native and cultivated varieties of trees and shrubs
grown in Illinois. Also, a very ornamental rustic frame-
work in front of the forestry exhibit.
Clay Exhibit.
A pyramidal platform was built for the accommoda-
tion of the brick, tile, terra cotta and ornamental clay
exhibits.
Geological and Archaeological Exhibits.
For these exhibits there were furnished, by the Grand
Rapids School Furniture Company, 21 geological cases,
each 15 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 52 inches high.
24
One upright archaeological case, 17 feet long, 8 feet
high, and 12 inches deep, and two hexagonal stands for
building stone. The cases were covered with sash filled
with American plate glass, and the contract price for all
was $2,205.43.
Exhibits of Natural History.
The following lists of furniture made at the University,
was paid for by this Board:
75 feet insect cases, 1 table, 2 gauze frames, 1 micro-
scope table, 1 table and office catalogue, 60 insect boxes,
1 tool and supply case, 1 stand table, 30 feet shelves
for insects, 1 table, 1 book-case 4 feet 6 inches, with
curtain, 1 book-cate, 40 inches, with curtain, 1 case of
drawers, 1 table for gas stove, 36 feet book shelves, 150
feet wall cases, 1 case for birds' eggs, 1 case for wild
turkeys, 1 case 45x45 inches, 4 cases (C. F. E. D), 41
feet double cases, case No. 1, detail sheet 7; case No. 2,
detail sheet 7; case No. 3, detail sheet 7; 1 table swing
shelf, detail sheet 7 a total charge of $1,592.60.
Post Office.
There was furnished a post office, located on the right
of the south entrance to Memorial Hall, consisting of
pilasters, counters, cornice, doors, 80 call boxes, a gen-
eral delivery for papers, a letter case and delivery wicket.
Also parcel bins, filling the rear wall space to the height
of 11 feet. Also, 1 work table 2x3 feet, 1 office chair, 1
stool and 1 step-ladder. Also, 2 receptacles for canes
and umbrellas of 45 capacity each. Also, a nest of latest
improved patterns, placed in window, consisting of 72
No. 1 and 16 No. 2 boxes all for $290.80. This outfit
was returned under contract at 40 per cent, of the cost.
25
Precautions Against Fire.
For the purpose of extinguishing any incipient fires,
there were purchased and placed in the building 1,750
feet of water hose, with reels and nozzles, at a cost of
$1,276. Also, there were hired 25 Babcock Fire Extin-
guishers, and placed in convenient parts of the building,
ready for instant use on occasion, at a rental of $375.
Lights.
The Illinois Building was furnished with 71 arc lights
and a number of incandescent lights during the latter
part of the Exposition, for the cost of which we refer to
the report of the Committee on Finance.
Heating.
The south projection of the building was heated by
steam by the Detroit Heating and Lighting Company
at a cost of $975.00.
Interior Decorations.
The following rooms in the south projection were
decorated by the Chicago Carpet Company for the sum
of $1,500, to-wit:
S. E. reception room and council chamber, S. W. re-
ception room and three other rooms connected there-
with, including the general reception room and the
ladies' national commission room.
Seats.
There were 250 settees provided for the public use
from 5 to 10 feet long, capable of seating 1,250 or