The Chicago Exhibition.

Manawatu Herald, 2 April 1892, Page 3

The Chicago Exhibition.

» Mrs Potter Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Vanagers of the Exposition, as already announced, will drive the last nail used in completion of the Woman's Building. This nail will be furnished by the women of Montana, and will be a very wonderful one, as is indicated by this description of it, given by the Helena, Montana, Independent The nail has been so made as to form the back or cross bar of a brooch, which is to be a shield bearing the coat of arms of Montana reproduced in native gold withont a trace of alloy in its composition. The shield will be of gold, and the symbolical figures will be made of the same metal but of different colors The waterfall in the foreground will be of light colored gold sunk into the shield, and the plow and pick, standing at the foot of the falls, will be of a darker shade, as will be the back ground of relief. The wreath surrounding the escutcheon will be of native gold, and the figures of the two men supporting the whole on either side will also be of the same rich, yellow gold. Underneath will be the scroll, bearing the motto of the state, " Oro y Plata." In the two upper portions , •_£*.- the wreath two Montana sapphires MHfftl be inserted. Instead of merely the figures, each will be wrought separately and then fastened together, making the task of shaping the brooch not only a delicate, but exceedingly difficult one, and one that will require muoh skill and patience. To Mrc fT, TS. Riohftnlt, of Butto,

0-' belongs the credit of the happy idea - ' of making the last nail one of such t ' interest. In design, the nail, which is being made by a Butte jeweler j will be the counterpart of an ordinary )• twelve-penny nail and will be coni- - ' posed of three strips with silver in ) j the center and the gold and copper I ! on either side. The nail and brooch t ; are distinct articles and after the y \ former has been driven it will be 3 ' drawn from the wood, fastened to ■i I the brooch and the whole presented to Mrs Palmer. The women of Nebraska have 1 undertaken to furnish the hammer c with which this " last nail. H will be i driven. A description of the hammer . ! has not yet been given, but it is the L - intention to make it worthy of the i aristocratic nail with which it will be . brought in contact by Mrs Palmer. i ft has been suggested that it be made : of native Nebraska woods, inlaid . with gold, silver and pearl 4 ' i ■ ii b It is reported that it is the intenf tion of the Government to establish .. at the Exposition grounds a com- ; plete post office, equal in capacity to 3 that required by ft City ol 200,000 or i more inhabitants, and to operate it, r not only during the Fair but for i several months previous to the openi ing and alter the closing. A got vernmenfc post office inspector is > now on the grounds pei-fecting plans I and estimates. It is believed, that > the number of exhibitors will be » between 150,000 and 175,000 To . these mail will be delivered hourly. i Mails sorted on the mail cars, tVill i, be dropped afe the grounds from inf I coming trains whenever possible. [ Afc a rough estimate, this Exposi- [ tion post office will require about 300 employes and entail an expense i of about $250,000 on the part of the I Government.