Minneapolis City (part 33 of 80)

Sec. 2. Said librar3' board shall consist of the mavor of the cit3' of Minneajiolis, the president of the board of education of the cit3' of Minneajiolis, the president of the university of the state of Min¬ nesota, who shall be members e.v ofJicio thereof, and si.v other members who shall be elected from time to time, as herein provided, b3' the legal voters

At the annual city election to be held on the first Tuesday of April, 1886, there shall be elected two librar3' directors for the term of six 3'ears, and thereafter there shall every second 3'ear be elected two library directors for the term ofsixyears from the third Tuesday in April after their election. In case any librar3^ director shall die, resign, remove from the district or otherwise vacate his office for more than one 3'ear before the expiration of his term of office, a librar3' director may be chosen at the annual election after such vacanc3" shall occur, to fill the place for the unexpired term of the direc¬ tor so vacating.

Sec. 3. All elections for library director shall be at the annual city election, and as a part of such city election, and such librar3^ directors shall be voted for upon a separate ballot, and a sef)arate ballot-box shall be provided at each precinct, which shall be kept by the judges to receive the ballots of such persons as are entitled to vote for such library directors. The judges ofelections shall make returns of the votes east for library direc¬ tors, and the cit3^ council shall canvass the same as in the ease of cit3^ officers. The eity clerk shall forthwith notif3^ the persons elected of their elec¬ tion, and in all matters not herein speciall3' provi¬ ded for, touching such election, the rules provided for the election of cit3' officers of said city shall ap¬ ply.

Sec. 4. Every librarv direetor, before he shall enter upon the duties of his office, shall take, sub¬ scribe and file in the office of the city clerk of said city, an oath or affirmation that he will support the constitution and laws of the state of Minne¬ sota, and discharge the duties of his office to the best of his ability. The officers of the library board of the city of Minneapolis shall consist of a president and secretary, who shall be the librar3^ directors. The city treasurer shall be the treasurer of the board and the comptroller shall perform such duties in connection therewith as are herein¬ after prescribed. The secretary of the board and the city treasurer of the cit3- of Minneapolis shall each, before entering upon the duties of his office, execute and deliver to the library board of the cit3' of Minneapolis a good and sufficient bond, payable to the library board of the city of Minneapolis, in such sums as shall be fixed upon by the board, and with sureties, who shall be freeholders of said city and shall be approved b3" the Iroard, and who shall justify in the aggregate to double the amount of the bond, eonditioned that the principal in the bond shall well and faithfully perform and dis¬ charge all the duties of his office and pa3' and turn over to his successor to whomsoever the board may direet, all moneys and ever3' valuable thing which shall come into his hands by virtue of his of¬ fice belonging to said board. Such bonds shall be filed for safe keeping with the city comptroller of the cit3' of Minneapolis.

Sec. 5. The president, or in his absence apresident pro tempore, shall preside at all the meetings of the board and sign all orders on the treasurer for all moneys voted to be paid, and shall perform all duties nccessar3^ for the transaction of the busi¬ ness of the board, and which are usuallv performed ly the president of a corporation. The secretary, or in his absence the secretary pi'O tempore, shall keep a full and fair record of all the proeeedings of the board at its meetings, and shall draw and at¬ test all orders drawn upon the tr'easui'er, and keep a record thei-eof showing the date, numbers, amount, purpose for which drawn, and names and pa3^ee of each order separatel3^ All such orders shall be made payable to the order of the payee therein named, and shall not be paid without his endoi'sement, either personally or by his authorized agent or attorney. The secretary shall perform such other duties as are usually performed b3' such officer or as may be directed b3" the boaid, and shall draw no orders on the treasurer except such as have been allowed br^ the board by a majority vote of all its members taken by ayes and nays and entered on the record of the proceeding of the board. The eit3r comptroller shall keep the regu¬ lar books of account of the board, in which he shall enter all indebtedness of such board and which shall at all times show the precise financial condi¬ tion of said board, the amount of bonds, orders, or other evidences of indebtedness outstanding and the redemption of the same when redeemed, and shall contersign all bonds, orders or other evidences of said board, and keep an exaet account thereof, showing to whom and for what purpose issued and the amount of each, and all mone3fs re¬ ceived or paid out b3" the cit3- treasurer on account of said board. All claims allowed b3^ the board shall be audited by the citv comptroller. The city treasurer shall I'eceive and safely keep all mone3's of the board and pay the same out only upon or¬ der signed by the president and attested 133^ the seeretary of the board and contersigned by the comptroller and endorsed by the pa3ree, and shall keep full books, reeords and vouchers of all his transactions. He shall deposit the moneys of said board as the moneys of the city of Minneapolis in any bank which shall be designated by the city council of said city as depositories of funds of said city, and the funds, while on deposit in such bank shall, for all purposes conneeted with sueh de^josit.

Ije rejrardcd as the nione3'^ of the eitj' of Minne¬ apolis, and may be reeovered as sueh ))y said cit\' from said banks and the sureties of such banks, upon the bonds said banks which shall execute to the said city, but when drawn or recovered from such banks shall be accounted for to its proper fund. And the treasurer shall have the same ex¬ emption respecting such funds deposited in such banks as in respect to other funds of said city. The secretary of the board is hereby forbidden from signing or issuing anj^ orders upon the treas¬ urer of said board, except when there is money in the hands of the treasurer to pay the same. The said board shall never issue any bonds or promis¬ sory notes, certificates of indebtedness or other obligation, for the paA'inent of money, except that the same shall be made to come due at a date not later than the first daj" of Juh' the next ensuing, and then for no greater sum than can be paid, when due, out of the regular revenues of the board for the year in which such bond, note, certificate of indebtedness, or of other obligation indebted¬ ness is issued.

Sec. G. Said libraiw board is herebj' authorized and empowered to levj' upon the taxable property" of said city in each and ever3^ 3'ear such taxes as will raise sufficient sums of money as will be re¬ quired during the suceeding 3 ear for the establish¬ ment, maintenance and government of the libraries and collections contemplated b3' this act, and for the pa3'ment of all other expenses properly inci¬ dental to the same, provided that the aggregate annual levy of such taxes shall never exceed in atn' one year one-half of 1 mill on the dollar upon the assessed valuation of said district. The board shall make a retuim of i!s annual levy of taxes on or before the first day of November of each 3'ear to the count3' auditor of the county of Hennepin and such taxes shall be collected and the pa3-ment thereof enforced with and in like manner as state and count3' taxes are collected and the payment thereof enforced, and when collected, together with all costs, interest and penalties collected thereon to be paid over by the county treasurer to the cit3^ treasurer of the city of Minneapolis as often as said county treasurer is required to make settle¬ ment with the city treasurer in respect to cit3' taxes. Provided, however, that if for any reason said board shall in an3' year fail to make return of its annual levy of taxes to the count3' auditor b3' the time herein specified, that in such case the rate of taxation determined and fixed b3' the board of tax le\"3' of Hennepin count3' at the maximum rate which said librar3' board shall lev3' for sueh 3'ear, and shall be taken to be the rate of taxation de¬ termined upon 1)3' said libraiw board for such year.

and the county auditor shall govern himself accordingl3'; and an3' taxes which shall hereafter be ex¬ tended upon the tax list of Hennepin county by the count3' auditor of siiid count3' based upon the action of the board of tax lev3', and library board having for any reason failed to make a return as herein provided, shall be and remain legal andvalid.

Sec. 7. Said library board may purchase real estate for the jiurposes contemplated 1)3' this act whenever six librarv directors shall vote to make such purchase, and the board 11133- sell and convey any of its real estate, but onl3' when five of the library directors shall vote to make such sale. In the case of a sale of real estate by the board, the deed of conveyance thereof nia3' be executed 1)3' the jiresident and secretary officiall3', having the seal of the board affixed thereto. All votes under this section shall be 1)3' ayes and na3'es, and re¬ corded ill the record of the proceedings of the board. Any person desiring to make donations ofm.oney, personal propert3', or real estate for an v of the purposes herein contemplated shall have the right to vest the title to the money, propert3' or real estate so donated in the board of directors created under this act, to be held and controlled 1)3' such board when accepted, according to the terms of the deed, gift, devise or bequest of such propert3', and as to such property, the board shall be held and considered to be special trustees.

Sec. 8. The annual meeting of the board for the election of officers for the year shall alwa3's be on the third Tuesday of April at such hour and place as the board ma3', by its rules adopt for its regular meetings. But vacancies may be filled whenever they shall happen during the year, and officers shall hold until their successors are elected and qualified, unless they cease to be eligible. The regular meetings of the board shall be fixed bv its rules and by-laws. Special meetings may becalled by the president or any two librarv directors 1)3' written notice, stating the time, place and object of the meeting, to be served personalh' or 1)3' mail at least twenty-four hours before such meeting. But when a majority of all the directors are i)resent at any meeting the same shall be a legal meet¬ ing at which any business which could come before a regular meeting, ma3' be transacted, irrespective of whether an3' legal notice was given of such meeting or not.

Sec. 9. Said library board may enter into association with 3113' independent societv or other organization owning libraries or museums or ex, isting for pur])Oses kindred to those contem])latcd in this act, upon such terms and conditions as shall best promote the object for which said board is created.

Sec. 10. All libraries and mnseums established nnder this act, and so far as consistent with the preceding sections, all collections in any manner under the charge of the library board herein estab¬ lished, shall be forever free to the inhabitants of the city of Minneapolis, alwa3"S subject, however, to such reasonable rules and regulations as shall be necessary for their effective administration.

Sec. 11. That Thomas Lowr3r, M. B. Koon, John B. Atwater, Sven Oftedal, T. B. Walker, E. M. Johnson together with the ma3'orofthecity, exofficio, the president of the board of education of the cit3% ex-officio, the president of the university of the state of Minnesota, ex-officio, are hereby appointed and constituted the first directors of the library board of the cit3r of Minneapolis, and the six first above named shall be theelective members of said board, and, shall hold office, two for one year, two for three years, and two for five 3^ears from the third Tuesday of April nexj following the passage of this act; and at their regular meeting shall cast lots for such respective terms. The library board herein appointed shall meet at the office of the cit3' clerk of the city of Minneapolis, on Saturday, the 21st day of March, 1 885, or as soon thereafter as practicable, and ma3^ then and there effect a temporary organization and attend to the transaction of an3^ business.

Recognizing the great interest and very active part taken by Mr. Walker in the development of the library scheme, he was unamimonsly elected president of the new board. Mr. Johnson was elected secretary, and the president ajDpointed the following committee:

On Grounds and Buildings, Thos. Lowry, M. B. Koon and J. B. Atwater; Library Committee, Sven Oftedal, Presi¬ dent Northrop and J. W. Johnson, presi¬ dent of School Board; Finance Commit-

A supplement aet passed at the same session of the Legislature ]n'ovided for the issuanee of $100,000 of bonds, the proeeedstobe used by the Library Board upon the eondition that no less than $50,000 in subseriptions to the fund by citizens should be obtained. Accordingly lists were drawn up and subscriptions to the amount of $61,665 were secured as follows :

Subscription List

On the first day of September, 1885, the Library Board entered into a con¬ tract with the Atheneum Association for the trasfer of all their books to the new building when completed, and for their free use by the public, and to pro¬ vide room also for additional books to be purchased in the future; to pay the expenses of maintenance, binding, cata¬ loguing and the salary of the assistant librarian to supervise and care for the books of the association. The contract was to run for 99 years and was most favorably viewed by all parties, as it en¬ abled the old stock-holders and their successors to use the books of the Ath¬ eneum without expense. It also furn¬ ished to the city a large collection at the outstart, as well as the advantages of a fund arising from the Spencer bequest that will, in time, make it one of the most important reference libraries in the United States. An agreement was also entered into with the Academy of Science authorizing that association to use the third floor to place its collection and hold its meetings free of expense. A simi¬ lar agreement with the Art Societ3' ])crmits the use of a portion of the upper floor for its Art School and meetings.

In October, 1885, a site was pur¬ chased on the corner of Tenth street and Hennepin avenue, with a frontage of 162 feet on Hennepin avenue and running back along Tenth street a distance of 190 feet. In the spring of 1886 conjietitive plans were submitted from numer- ons architects, and the Minneapolis firm of Long & Kees was selected by the board to design and superintend the eonstruction of the building. It was decided to build two seetions of the building and leave room for a third. The front sec¬ tion, 70 feet in width, and extending along Hennepin avenue a distanee of 116 feet to a point 16 feet from the side of the lot, the section on Tenth street ex¬ tending from the baek of the front sec¬ tion just mentioned a distance of 80 feet, and 32 feet in width. The basement story, the floor of whieh came a few feet below the grade of the street, together with the main floor next above to be used for library and reading room pur¬ poses; the next floor above (being prop¬ erly the third) for a museum and meeting room of the Academ3^ of Science ; for a direetor room and a lecture hall used by various societies. The upper fourth floor eontaining one large sky light, art galler}^, an interior art room and two corner rooms oeeupied by the society" of Fine Arts for its art sehool.

A better understanding of the build¬ ing can be obtained from the cvit and plans of the various floors here pre¬ sented. Its construction was carried on under the careful supervision of the building eommittee who looked after the details, and an ecpiallj^ attentive and interested general supervision b^' the whole board. Nearly' all the work was done by Minneapolis firms. Eveiw por¬ tion of it was done in the most eeonomical, substantial and thorough man¬ ner. There was neither jobbing nor wastefulness allowed, and one of the most perfect and substantial buildings ever constructed in this eountry was produeed, and at an extremely moderate eost.

stitution during the afternoon and even¬ ing jammed the building from turret to foundation stone. Many of the old members of the Atheneum met and shook hands, and those who had misun¬ derstood and combatted the ehanges in the old Atheneum which had led up to this more than satisfaetory termination of the old controversy, were more hearty in their congratulations than any of the rest. They then understood the motives and intentions of the parties who were at the head of the movement.

one mill. This 3^ear, 1891, onlj^ fourtenths was levied and this will net about $56,000. The Atheneum book fund from the Spencer bequest will be about $11,- 000.

The library contains now about 50,- 000 volumes, of which number 25,825 volumes belong to the Atheneum collec¬ tion. The number of cards taken out this year is about 7,000. The total num¬ ber of books drawn is about 275,000.

A marked feature of the libraiw as now running is the freedom of access to the books. No other large library' of this t\'pe has ever ventured so far in this respect. The public have been permitted free access to the book shelves, and on Sundav's and holidays large numbers of books have been placed in open cases in the reading room. In this way the books have been extensively used, and with a v^er\' small loss in comparison with other large libraries of this country where such privileges have not been accorded. This feature is being carefull^^ watched by other librarians of this country', and the final outcome will determine the practi¬ cability of the new departure.

On February 20, 1890, a branch librar\^ was opened in the basement of the North Side high school building, in rooms funiished, heated and lighted, and tendered rent free bj^ the Board of Edu¬ cation. On April 23d, a second branch was opened at the corner of Franklin and Seventeenth avenues south. The rooms for this were offered rent free for the term of one year bj' citizens of fhe South side. Furniture also was provid¬ ed. At the end of seven months the\'had expended some $600 in rent and furni¬ ture. They were then relieved of their obligation, and since November 1st the entire expense of the branch has been met b\' the librarv ])oard. During the pi'esent 3^ear (1892) a third branch has been estal)lished in the Winthrop school building on the east side, and reccnth' the reading rooms have been doubled in capacit3q showing the wonderful interest taken in the use of the books and rooms. Each of these branches being a deliver3' station, has a reading room attached with some fifty leading periodicals and several hundred volumes of miscellaneous for reference use. Books in the main lib¬ rary called for at a branch in the morn¬ ing are delivered there b3' wagon in the afternoon. Thebooks thus issued through the branches are included in the general statistics of circulation.

The Art Galler3' at this date contains 51 fine oil paintings, forming a collection of great merit and one that attracts much attention and is visited 1)3^ a large number of people dailv. Six of these paintings were presented to the libraiw board b3" Hon. J. J. Hill, of St. Paul. Among these DeNeuville's "Tel-el-Kebir," a large painting well known in the art circles of the world. The others are smaller, but works of merit. One other painting was presented to the board 1)3^ Millard E. Bowman. The exposition board have loaned to the librar3' 18 paintings, all of high grade, amongthem Bierstadt's "Alount Whitney" and J. H. Witt's "The Widow's Christmas," A. Wallander's "Returning from Church," C. T. Aagaard's "Earh' Alorning," K. Usherman's "After the Hunt," and Ed¬ ward Ga3''s "Waving Corn."

Twent3"-six of these paintings have been loaned bv Air. Walker. Amomr these are to be found Win. Von Kaulbach's "Dispersion of the Nations," one of the artists three greatest painting, and well known in Europe. David's "Napoleon in his Coronation Robes," Aladame Demont Breton's "Her man is on the Sea," a painting of the highest merit; Paul Falconer Pool's "Messengers of Job," reporting the distruction of his servants, a work well known in Eng- land; Lafavre's large portraits of Jose¬ phine and Marie Louise, the two Empres¬ ses of Napoleon; Schnek's "Sheep in a Storm," and other well known canvasses, all of high grade.

The interior art gallery contains a magnificent collection of anticpie casts loaned by the exposition board. This is not onh^ a collection of interest to the public but is likewise of great value to the art school which is becoming an im¬ portant edticationai institution, being the most important one of its kind in the Northwest.

The Academ\^ of Science has gathered a quite interesting collection of natural curiosities, includingtwo Egyptian mum¬ mies, many preserved animals and a large assortment of minerals, shells, etc. Like the Art Gallery it is visited daihG^y large numbers of people, including man3^ strangers.

The official terms of the elective mem¬ bers of the present board are as follows: J. B. Atwater, term expires in 1893; Thos. Lowinq term expires in 1893; T. B. Walker, term expires in 1895; Sven Ofte¬ dal, term expires in 1895; J. G. Moore, term expires in 1897; A. M. Goodrich, term expires in 1897.

Air. Walker has remained the presi¬ dent of the Library Board from its form¬ ation. Mr. E. M. Johnson was its secre¬ tary until retired the first of this 3'ear, and took an active part in the work of the board. Air. Lowry has remained a member from the first, and while the building was under construction was at the head of the building committee. Judge Koon has been on the board from 1885 until the beginning of this 3'ear; was a member of the building committee and took a ver3^ active part it its work. Air. John B. Atwater had continued through to the present as a member, has been on the building committee from its formation and is one of the most active and efficient members. For the past^'ear he has been chairman of his committee. Prof. Oftedal has remained through to the present time, and during the year 1887-8 was a I'epresentativein the double capacity of president of the Board of Ed¬ ucation and elective member. He has been at the head of thelibrar\' committee from the beginning and has taken a most active part in the work.

President Northrup, of the State Universitv, has been from the formation of the looard to the i^resent time one of its most valuable members, taking great interest in the work, and in connection in the double capacity of member of the building committee and of the library committee.

The ma^'ors of the cit3', feeling them¬ selves burdened with other public work that demanded their attention more than the work of the library, have not given the amount of attention that has been bestowed by the elective members and President Northrup, of the State University, although they fulh" apjjreciated the value of the work being done by the board to which the^' were members, although Mayor Pillsbuiw devoted con¬ siderable time to the work. Presidents J. W. Johnson and A. C. Austin of the Board of Education have been active members and devoted considerable time during their shorter connection with the board.

These prominent citizens who have, in the capacit3^ of servants of the citv of Minneapolis, built this magnificent libraiw, have worked faithfulh', devoting a large amount of time and care to the work without compensation, and the re¬ cognition of their work as given in this histoiw is but a slight return to them for the valuable work which the\' have done for the citv.

in the citv' 3'et erected ( 1888 ) is that known as the Minneapalis Industrial Exposition Building. The histoiw of this enterprise well illustrates the public spirit and indomitable energ3" which characterize the population of the cit3'. No cit3' of like size has ever undertaken so important a work and brought it to successful comjiletion in so brief a time. At the time of the inception of the enter¬ prise, the cit3' contained less than 150,- 000 inhabitants. There was no jniblic appropriation for the object. There were few people of an3' considerable wealth. But the whole cit3- took hold of the work with enthusiasm, and in a very short time over $300,000 had been subscribed. The laboring men even took hold with a will, and man3' subscriptions as low as five and ten dollars were re¬ ceived. It was emphaticalh' a popular movement. The following sketch of the Histor3" of the Exposition, taken from the first catalogue, published in 1886, is interesting and wortlu' of permanent preservation.

History of the Exposition. Minne¬ apolis has had so-called expositions frecpienth' before - the3' were more in the nature of fairs, and usualh' located in the suburbs of the cit3', and continuing but a week. A week's rain destro3'cd their utilit3', damaged the fabrics hurriedh' placed in insufficient buildings, and cut off the principal sources of revenue, horse racing and ballooning, etc., thus rendering eveiw such ephemeral effort hazardous, uncertain and unsatisfactoiw. The first meeting for a permanent Exposition at Minneapolis such as had been maintained at Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, Atlanta, with such signalK' useful results was held on call of several gentlemen interested, in the rooms of the Produce Exchange, on the evening of Sept. 21, 1885. A brief discussion de¬ veloped a singular unanimit3' among those present, and eommittees were ap¬ pointed inviting the eo-operation of the Chamber of Commeree, Board of Trade, the Citj^ Council and various labor or¬ ganizations to send representatives to a futui'e meeting which was held at the West Hotel Sept. 26th, and the following resolution unanimoush" adopted : raised as an initial effort. Othc iic meetings were subsequently i.eld at which the utmost enthusiasm p .vailed, and the subscriptions poured in from all classes and conditions of the pt pie. It was emphatically" a popular movement.

Minneapolis Industrial Exposition

Resolved, That we, the members of these com¬ mittees, representing the varions organizations of the city, do most heartily and fully endorse the project of a permanent Exposition in Minneapolis, and believe it to be entirely practicable to success¬ fully establish such an Exposition, and that it will bring inestimable benefits to every interest of this citj", individual and corporate.

Up to this point the business had been carried on by a temporary organization with Hon. E. S. Corser at the head. The Exposition was incorporated under the general laws of Minnesota, the general nature being stated in the articles "to establish, maintain and conduct in the city of Minneapolis, Minn., exhibitions and expositions of industrial and other objects: I and to receive and place on exhibi+' 'indnstidal and other products, re. ,s and curiosities, and any and all efiCvCs of human art, industry and skill, Its capital stock is $500,000.

The site of the Exposition Building was decided on in January last; the coi'- ner stone was laid May 29. The build¬ ing itself was estimated to cost .$250,- 000. It is constructed of brick and iron, and practicalh' fire-proof. It is one of the h t and best permanent exposi¬ tion bi lings in the world, the dimen¬ sions being as follows : Main street (or river) front, 360 feet; First avenue side, 340 feet; Ortman street front, 360 feet; Bank street, 340 feet. The height from ground line to main cornice, 80 feet ; from ground line to top of main tower, 240 feet. There are 367,500 square feet of space for exhibits, and accommodations for 45,000 visitors. The three floors 'nvei'r'''^ over seven acres of floor space, been be^ delivered by rail at the

. 1.0 V ^er of the walls it may be sta¬ ted that scnne of the footings ai'e eleven feet in width. Few of the walls are less than 2.4 feet in thickness and some are 4.5 feet thick. From the ground line to the top of the basement the arches are faced with Mankato stone, which ex¬ tends to the pox'tals, where it is cut into great columns. The stone tlius used is generally quarry faced. The bands and stream courses are of the same material similarly worked. Above the basement arches to the coimices eream brick are used. The great pilasters, having a pro¬ jection of two feet, four feet face, separ¬ ating the ba3'S, are flnished with terra cotta capitals sustaining a boldl\' moulded cornice, with pediments over each pilaster. The pavilions above the main cornice are treated similarl}' with coupled pilasters, having terra cotta pilasters sustaining the regular cornices, small domes and French pavilion roofs. Each grand entrance is surmounted with broad pediments, one of which termin¬ ates against the great dome on the Main street front. The t\'mpans of the said pediments are filled in with scidpturein base relief. The entire construction is of solid material consisting of heaY\' gird¬ ers and floor beams all trussed with iron. The floors are three inches thick. There is no wood lathing or plastering, the in¬ terior walls themselves being flnished in brick similar to the exterior, thus insxiring protection from Are in all construc¬ tive features. Fire plugs and hose are provided in all parts so that it wovild seem impossible for a Are to get a serious start. The interior is painted instead of whitewashed, as exposition buildings are usualh' treated, and the entire build¬ ing has a refined and finished appear¬ ance. In st\de of architecture the struc¬ ture is of the modified Renaissanee.

Within the building is separated into two distinct sections, separated b\' a brick wall. The similar compartments, next to First avenue southeast, in which the art display' is placed, is 30x160 feet and 40 feet high. It has a slanting glass roof and is splendidU" adapted to the dis¬ play' of art works. In the southwest corner of the main hall are the boilers and engines by which the grand machiner\' will be worked. In the center is the magnificent light well, at the bottom of which is a reservoir in the shape of an ellipse 60x120 fget and fmmished with a fountain.

Across the central opening runs a galler\' with a seating capacity' of 4,000, and commanding a view of all the ex¬ hibits. Entrance is gained to the Expo¬ sition building through two arehed doorwa\'S on Main and Ortman streets, each 32 feet wide. Within the building the spectator finds everr'thing clear, ex¬ cept for the exhibits and columns suffi¬ cient to sustain the floors. On the right and left of the' entrance are broad stair¬ ways leading to the floors above, and two passenger elevators in the tower are kept constantly busy. Waiting rooms, check rooms, dining rooms and a large restaurant complete the arrangements for the convenience and reception of the thousands of guests who throng the building.

S. C. Gale, chairman of the building committee, made the opening addi'ess, presenting the building to the corpora¬ tion. Hon. W. D. Washburn made the address receiving the building. We quote further from the opening exercises :

Congratulations and starting the machinery : The co-operation of Grover Cleveland, the President of the United States, and Mrs. Frank Folsom Cleve¬ land, was enlisted in the opening exer¬ cises. On the conclusion of the address of the orator of the darq Hon. Cushman K. Davis, of Saint Paul, President Wash¬ burn sent the following telegi'am to President Cleveland :

The Officers and Directors of the Minneapolis Industrial Exposition, now rcad_v to be opened, desire to present their compliments to the Presi¬ dent of the United States and Mrs. Cleveland, and regretting that tlie3^ could not accept the invita¬ tion to be present on the occasion, trust that ther" will find it convenient to visit the Exposition before its close. The great concourse of people now pres¬ ent will feel gratified and honored if Mrs. Cleve¬ land will participate in the inaugural ceremonies b\' setting in motion the Machinerx' Department of the Exposition, which for that purpose has been connected with Saranac Station, New York, Iw

With many thanks for the kind message sent to us b\' the officers and directors of the Minneapolis Industrial Exposition, Mrs. Cleveland joins with me in tendering to them hearty congratulations upon the auspicious inauguration of an exhibition which not onl\' demonstrates the prosperitj' and progress of the gi-eat Northwest, but also reflects credit upon a countiw whose greatest pride is the happiness and contentment of its people, and their enjo\-ment of all the gifts of God. Mrs. Cleveland gladh' complies with your reqnest and will set in motion the machineiw of the Exposition. She now awaits v'our signal.

Grover Cleveland

The machinery in the Exposition building having been connected by tele¬ graphic wire with the President's hotel in Upper Saranac Lake, at the conclusion of the reading of the above dispatch from the President to the assembled thousands in the Exposition building. Mrs. Cleve¬ land touched the transmitter which started the Exposition machinery. The great engine and the vast network of wheels started, the whistles screamed, cannon boomed, the bells rang, the band plaj^ed, the vast concourse of people rose to their feet, waved hats and handker¬ chiefs, and cheered and shouted, and the Exposition became a living, throbbing, pei'inanent influence.

President, Hon. W. D. Was hbium; vice president, S. C. Gale; secretary, W. G. Bjwon; treasurer, H. G. Harrison; gen¬ eral manager, Lewis B. Hubbard. The articles of incorporation were filed Novendier 5th, 1885. The capital stock was fixed at $300,000, and the limit of indebtedness at $50,000.

W. Glenn, H. G. Harrison, A. C. Haugan, C. B. Heffelfinger, Geo.Hnhn, V. G. Hush, T. B. Janney, Anthony" Kelly, W. S. King, Rev. James AIcGolrick, E. A. Merx'ill, B. F. Nelson, C. AI. Palmer, O. A. Pra}", Wm. AI. Regan, AY. E. Steele, W. I). Wash¬ burn, all residing at said city of Alinneapolis, Hennepin county, Alinnesota.

The following year, A. A. Ames, A. J. Blethen, C. Ad. Palmer, Thomas Lowi'y, and C. R. Chute were added to theboai'd. The officers continued the same except that C. AI. Palmer was elected general manager. In 1888 AAb G. Byron was elected general manager. The officers for 1889 were: President, Hon. AAA D. AAffishburn; vice president, S. C. Gale; treasurer. Geo. Huhn; general manager and secretary, AAA G. Byron; superinten¬ dent of art department, H. Jay Smith.

From the report of the secretary for 1886 it appears that in that 3'ear, dur¬ ing the thirtj'-six da^'s the Exposition xyas opened it was visited b\' 888,000 people. During 1887 and 1888thenumbers had increased to over 850,000. In 1889, a r^ear of unusual depression, the number was perhaps a trifle under 850,- 000, but in 1890 it again rose largeh', the attendance being estimated at 450,- 000. In 1891 it was estimated to have exceeded half a million.

To speak of the great advantage of this Industrial Exposition to the ciffi^ would be a work of supererogation. AAdiether the institution pa\-s financialh^ is comparativeU" a matter of no great moment. Indirecth', it is of inestimable value. As an art educator in music and painting, its benefit is incalculable. The works of art exhibited in 1886 exceeded half a million dollars in value. Each suc¬ ceeding year has jxrogressiveh' exceeded that amount b3'man\' thousand dollars. Taken as a whole it ma3' be safeh" aver¬ red, that no similar exhibition, west of New A'ork and Philadelphia, has exceeded this in interest and value. The officers of the Exposition for the 3'ear 1891 are as follows, viz: Pi'esident, S. C.Gale; vice president, T. B. Janne3^; treasurer, L. Swift, jr.; director of art department, H. Ja3' Smith; secretaiw and general man¬ ager, W. AI. Brackett.

The Board of Directors for the 3'ear 1891 consist of the following named gentlemen, who are universalE' recog¬ nized as among the most public spirited and leading citizens of Alinneapolis, viz:

The receipts of the Exposition for the 3"ear 1889 were $60,21 3.82. For theyear 1890, $123,410.37. In each of these 3"ears the disbursements were somewhat in excess of the receipts, owing largeh" to the fact that bills and indebtedness contracted in previous 3'ears were paid out of the receipts of these 3"ears. And to the further fact that the management have wiseh" determined that no expense should be spared to make the Exposition attractive to the public, and worthy of the city which has founded it, irrespec¬ tive of the question of whether it was a pa3"ing institution to the stockholders.

And in regard to this, onh' one in¬ stance ot the liberalit3" of the manage¬ ment in one direction need be named, that of the music engaged.

For the different 3'ears since the estab¬ lishment of the Exposition the following eminent bands of national reputatioji have been engaged, viz.: In 1886, the Alexican Band of the 7th Cavahw Regi¬ ment of Alexieo ; in 1887, Signor A. Liberati's Band of New A'ork; in 1888, Cap- pi's 7tli Regiment Band of New York; in 1889, F. N. Innes'22d Regiment Band of New York; in 1890, Reeves Ameriean Band ofProvidenee, R. I., and the Strauss Veinna Orchestra; in 1891, the Mexican Band.

The names of the above bands is sufficient proof that the music furnished by the management has alwa\"S been of a high grade, and has been a most im¬ portant factor in promoting the success of the institution, as well as an educa¬ tional force of no small importance. This last consideration has justly had weight with the managers, and proves that they are governed by higher motives than mereh^ to give a successful pecu¬ niary show.

In 1891 an important step was taken by the Exposition management in ac¬ quiring a reversion right held by the city, in the property of the corporation. In a petition presented to the city council on the 11th of December of that year, by the president, S. C. Gale, on behalfof the Exposition, the grounds for the action requested fulh^ appear, and as in the same connection other interesting facts are stated, an extract from the petition is here made as follows, viz:

Gentlemen. - The Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Industrial Exposition Association, petition and pray the Council of the Cit}'^ of Min¬ neapolis to release said Association from the rever¬ sionary rights which said city now holds in and to the propertjGnvested in said Industrial Exposition.

The right of the city is but reversionary, and is based on the mere condition that the said Indus¬ trial Exposition Association shall hold twenty-two Expositions in twenty-four years from the date of its organization, which occurred early in the year 1886, six of which have already taken place; other¬ wise the title of all the propert3' of said Associa¬ tion, including land, buildings and machineiw, is held b3' the Association.

This propert3' has been erected and completed at a cost of $413,000, the larger part of which has been contributed by the citizens of Minneapolis in sums ranging all the way from $10, u^j the several thousands, so that to day there are nearly 1,800 stockholders all told in this Association.

It is proposed to issue and deliver this stock to the Cit3'^ of Minneapolis, as a consideration for the relinquishment of the cit3^'s reversionary rights, which issue can be made in the name of a trustee, such as the Ma3'or or president of the Council, and which, when so issued, will make the cit3" by far the largest stockholder in the Association.

As the entire property has cost the shareholders over $500,000, and as there are but thirt3''-five thousand shares, representing the par value of $350,000, the cit3''s interest thus obtained would amount to $28,000 all told. In other words the cit3^ would obtain property which has cost $28,- 000 as a consideration for a mere reversionary right which will never be permitted to accrue; for the Exposition Association can easily compb'' with the letter of the conditions on which this reversion¬ ary interest I'ests, even though such compliance shotdd be an actual detriment to the city itself.

Who can count or adequately calculate in dol¬ lars and cents the value that has and will accrue to thiscit3' on account of the results which have been obtained by reason of the Minneapolis Indus¬ trial Exposition, and the wonderful facilities of¬ fered b3' her magnificent building?

During all this time a board of directors consistingof 25 men, havegivensomeportionoftheir time out of each week, in each 3"ear, freely and without the slightest reward more than that which flows to every other citizen of Minneapolis.

For six 3-ears nearly 1,800 shareholders in this Assoeiation have permitted their mone3^ to remain tied up in this investment with no dividend re¬ turns, and with no hope of reward other than that which IS received b3- the city at large.

The time has come, however, when this board of directors believe that other and greater and ad¬ ded results should be obtained from this grand propert3', which has cost its stockholders more than half a million of dollars. But how can this be done? ^

There lays along Main street and direct^ in front of the Exposition building a strip of land 500 feet in length by about 150 feet in depth, now idle and non-productive, but which might be turned into one vast hive ofindustr3'. This strip of land belongs to the Industrial Association, and can be utilized for manufacturing purposes without in the slightest interfering with the holding of an annual

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of taxable propei'ty can be added to the eit\''s wealth, and five hundred to one tliousand men can be etnplo3'ed on this property, thereby adding thousands to the population of tlie city.

To do these things, however, recpiircs money; but none can be obtained on this pro])ert_y with the incumbrances now existing and held bv the city, and which amounts to a cloud on its title.

Hence we, who have given our time without a murmur and without a cents compensation, come to you for relief, with the full expectation that that relief will be granted for the reasons which have been set forth above.

The objects to be obtained are worthy-; the con¬ siderations to be paid to the citv are ami)le; the cause considered from everj- standpoint of public welfare and private interest is just; and the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Industrial Exi)osition place their petition and pray-er in the hands of the Council of the City- of Minnea])olis, yy-ith the fullest confidence that theirefforts yvill be rewarded yy-ith success.

The Repidilican National Convention meets in the Exposition building in June, 1892. It is proposed to make such ehanges in the building as toseat 12,()()() persons at an expense of some twentyfive thousand dollars.

City Hall. The old City Hall was erected on a triangular jnece of ground lying between Hennepin and Nicollet av¬ enues and Second street in 1874. The cost was about $50,000. It has been used for various purposes since its erec¬ tion - postolfice, telegraph office. Trib¬ une newspaper, and one or two other newspapers. In 1875 it was considered a pretentious building, but has ceased to attract attention since the erection of numerous more modern and costly build¬ ings. Of late y-ears it has been almost entirely^ occupied by- the city, yvith its various offices and dejiartments. Here the city council meets, and here are the offices of the citv clerk, comptroller, yvater yy'orks department, engineer's de¬ partment, mayor's office, police depart¬ ment, and committee rooms. The cen¬ tral location of the building makes it ex¬ ceptionally cony-enient for the purposes for yy-hich it is used, but its limited aecommodatio-ns in the yy-ay of space are a y^ery serious disadvantage. Probably long before the neyv City Hall is com¬ pleted, the present quarters will be found entirely inadequate to accommodate the increasing business of the ymrious de¬ partments. But the building has sery-ed a useful purpose, and has proy-ed an eco¬ nomical and profitable investment for the city.

Masonic Temple. Among the most elegant and striking of the semi-public buildings in Minneapolis is the Masonic temple, at the corner of Hennepin avenue and Sixth street. This building yvas erected by "The Masonic Temple Asso¬ ciation of Minneapolis," a corporation formed May 12th, 1885. The capital stock is $250,000, diyddcd into 10,000 shares of $25 each. The subscribers to the stock aie the several Masonic bodies of the eity' and individual Alasons. There are about 700 shareholders. The total amount received from shareholders to date is .$178,425.

The building yvas commenced in the fall of 1885, and completed in the spring of 1890. It is eighty feet front on Hen¬ nepin ay'enue, by one hundre.l and fiftythree feet deep. Messrs. Long and Keyes yvere the architects. The style of the architecture is yvhat is termed " Komanescpie." It is eight stories high, and the entire exterior of the biulding on street fronts is Ohio light sand stone. This material conveys the impression of dura¬ bility and simplicity, and the color so modified as to lie restful to the e\'e. Should it retain its pi'esent color, as it is confidently'' believed it will, the material is very appropriate for the purpose for whieh the building was designed.

The building is handsomely carved with Masonic emblems and other orna¬ mentation. The construction is of iron and terra cotta, fireproof partitions and ai'ches, and is in fact practically fireproof throughout. The ground floor is entirely devoted to business houses. There are 125 elegant office I'ooms, supplied with water, gas and electric lights. There are five lodge rooms, with fifty reception, ante and committee rooms attached. Eleven Masonic bodies occupy' these rooms. The eighth floor is devoted to dance and banquet halls, parlors, dress¬ ing rooms, etc. The dancing ( or drill hall) is 72 by' 100 feet, and lighted by' 450 incandescent lights. Lodge rooms are all furnished and fitted up in an ex¬ pensive and elegant style. The total cost of the building and ground was $359,- 525. The building is an ornament to the city' and reflects great credit on the enterprise and liberal views of the Ma¬ sonic bodies which have brought it to a successful completion.

Guaranty Loan Building. Among buildings not owned by the city', nor de¬ voted to strictly' pidjlic uses, but of a semi-public character, the most expen¬ sive and prominent is the Guaranty'

Loan Building, situated at the corner of Third street and Second avenue south. No more imposing building, or one more convenient and appropriate for the pur¬ poses for which it was designed, is to be found in the United States.

This building was erected by the Guaranty' Loan Company', of which L. F. Alenage, Esq., is at the head. It was commenced in May', 1888, and completed and openedfor business Alay' 31st, 1890. It is twelve stories in height, with a tower above the main building forty'- eight feet, making the entire height from the ground 220 feet. The first three stories of the exterior material, are of green granite, the upper nine stories of red sand stone, four sides finished alike. The interior material is of iron, brick, terra cotta, and finished in antique oak. The street frontage on Third street and Second avenue is 287 feet. The area covered by' the ground floor is half an acre, and by the twelve floors six acres.

The building is designed for general 'business offices, including banks, rail¬ roads, insurance and manufacturing. The Security' and Northwestern banks are here located, and the offices of the "Soo" and Chicago & Alilwaukee rail¬ roads. The lawyers, however, as a pro¬ fession, monopolize a large part of the buildimi-. An extensive law librarv of about ten thousand volumes occupies a part of the tenth floor for their exclusive use. In the basement are bath rooms of all kinds, also a system of safe deposit vaults of the most improved iilans. An artesian well seven hundred and fifty' feet in depth under the building supplies it with pure water.

A unique feature of the Iniilding is the Guaranty Loan restaurant on the twelfth floor, arranged with ladies' cafe, gentlemen's cafe, large general dining room, private dining rooms, and billiard and smoking rooms. Over this floor is the roof pavilion adorned with an exten¬ sive variety of flowers, and where coneerts hy a string orehestra are given during the summer evenings and during the season when the weather is favora¬ ble. With these attractions it is a veiw popular place of resort during the sum¬ mer, commanding as it does an entire view of the city and its surroundings.

We are unable to state the exact cost of this magnificent building, but it is considerable in excess of a million dollars. The cost of the structural iron work alone was $165,000, and of the glass $4-0,000. The length of the electric wires is thirtj^-one miles ; length of ele¬ vator cables three miles. Number of incadescent lights is 3,000 and of arc lights fifteen. There are six passenger and one freight elevator.

The foregoing description will give some idea, although imperfect, of the finest building of the kind in the country, and of which eveiw citizen of Minneapo¬ lis is justly proud. It is onh' bv a per¬ sonal examination, however, that its perfection can be full v ap])rehended.

Louis Fr.4ncois Menage. The North Western Guaranty Loan Company is the largest financial institution in point of capital in Minneapolis, and surpasses all others in the Northwest. Its office building is the largest, as it is also the most elegant in decoration, and the most complete in arrangement, of an}' similar structure in its own cit}', or elsewhere west of Chicago, and is surpassed in these respects by few in the world. The paid up capital of the former originally two hundred thousand dollars has been increased and now stands at one million and a cpiarter of dollars. The latter in¬ cluding its central and commanding site, represents an investment of two million dollars. For both Minneapolis is indebted to the sagaeit\' and enter¬ prise of Louis F. AIcnage. Coming to Alinneapolis at his majority on the 19th of October, 1871, in feeble health, his mother having died of consumption, and himself suffering with the premonitions of that dreaded malady, he sought rather the benefit of the climate than business or pecuniar}' success. For occupation, a part of the first winter he taught a class in the Commercial College of Carson, Barnard and Parker in short hand. The next two winters wei'e spent in the pineries at the logging camp of W. H. Lawrence, on Pokegama Lake, as clerk and time keeper. The interven¬ ing summer he had charge of the wood dejiartment of one of the saw mills at the falls. The salubrious climate of the north, with the active out door work, checked the alarming symptoms and infused new vigor into his frame, so thatin 1874hefelt himself sti'ong enough to engage in business, and in connection with Air. H. C. Brackett he opened a real estate office near First and Washington avenues, and commenced that career which has been marked with such con¬ stant and unchecked success. The place of business was soon removed to the Nicollet House, and his partner retiring, was conducted by Air. Alenage alone. A feature of the business was the purchase of outlying tracts of land, platting it into blocks and lots, and putting them upon the market. Conspicious examples of these are those additions to thecity plat known as the various Alenage additions, Windom's Motor Line, Prospect Park, Bloomington Avenue, Calhoun Park and the several Remington additions. His efforts in developing these tracts have added thousands to the population of the city, and given employment to hun¬ dreds of mechanics, as well as hel])ed the growth of all branches of trade. In connection with the latter Mr. Menage was nnwittingly involved in the largest and most dramatic law snit which has ever oecupied the eourts of the conntj^ In the spring of 1882 he had purehased 1,157 acres of land lying aronnd Lakes Calhoun and Harriet, of Mr. Philo Rem¬ ington of New York, who had a record title derived from Col. W. S. King, the land having been the jDi'incipal part of the Lyndale farm. These lands he plat¬ ted and made aceessible by intersecting streets and street railway, and put up a large number of very tasteful dwellings. Many were sold, and elusters of settle¬ ments began on various tracts. The progress of improvement was suddenly arrested bjHhe commeneemcent of a suit in ecjuityin which Col. King alleged that the deed which he had made to Mr. Rem¬ ington was in trust. After a long trial in whieh the best legal talent of the city, and of eastern states was engaged, the deeision was given in Col. King's favor, and on review it was affirmed bj^ the su¬ preme court. Mr. Menage turned over to Col. King monej^, securities and pro¬ perty to the value of nearH two million dollars, without affecting his financial standing, scarcely ruffling his serenity.

The successful and rapidl3^ enlarging business led totheineorporationin Maj', 1889, of the Northwestern Guarant3^ Loan Compan3^, to which the loan de¬ partment of the business was turned over, and the Menage Realt3^ Compan3% which succeeded to the real estate busi¬ ness. Mr. Menage became president of the former and general manager of the latter. The Minneapolis stoekholders and directors of the Guaranty Loan Compan3", are among the oldest, most conservative and successful of her citi¬ zens. They include such names as Gov. John S. Pillsbury, Mayor George A . Pillsbur3', Senator W. D. Washburn, Col.

Thos. Lowr3% Cashiers Joseph and Al¬ fred J. Dean, and Messrs. C. H. Pettit, Wm. H. Eustis, Loren Fletcher, H. E. Fleteher, Chas. Robinson and W. S. Streeter. Besides its large paid up capi¬ tal and the additional personal liabilit3'- of its stockholders, the company has a special guaranty fund of $100,000 de¬ posited with a Boston Trust Compan3', and another of $50,000 with a similar company in Providence. Its plan of busi¬ ness is unique and in some respects origi¬ nal, suggested b3" the rare financial genius of its president. Its debentures and securities are widely scattered, and a favorite investment in the East, where it has agencies in the principle cities, and also in London and Amsterdam. Its assets have rapidU" increased and now amount to nearh^ four million dollars. The Guaranty Loan Building is owned by a separate compan3q whose eapital stock is two million dollars. Its spacious offices are oecupied by two of the leading banks of the city, by milling corpora¬ tions, financial institutions, and maiw' attorneys. To aceommodate the latter it has a fine law librar3' of over 10,000 volumes. The twelfth floor is devoted to restaurant, dining and refreshment rooms, while upon the roof is a garden, where in the summer refreshments are served amidst flowers and sparkling electric lights and the sweet strains of musie.

Amidst this bewildering rush of busi¬ ness, surrounded b3" so much architect¬ ural beaut3^ and convenience, in his pri¬ vate office sits Mr. Menage, the most unpretentious and modest of all the thronging multitude, the animating spirit and directing head of all.

Mr. Menage is a native of Providence, Rhode Island, where he was born August* 3d, 1850. His parents were John and Mary A. Menage, and his grandfather was Alexis Le Menage, a native of Lu- cei'ne, France, whence he emigrated to America and married a lady who was a lineal descendant ofjohn Howland, a pas¬ senger iti the Ma\'flower, whose mortal remains rest in a grave on Burial Hill, at Plymouth, Mass. His descendents have dropped from the family name the article which attached to the French ancestry, assimilating the name to the American style. The family removed to New Bed¬ ford, Mass., where the years of Lewis' bojdiood were passed in attendance at school. During his course at the high school of that city his father died. The business, that of confectionery, fell to himself and a j^ounger brother, which was carried on for three years until the state of his health admonished him to elose it, and seek a climate more favor¬ able to one affected with symptoms of serious pulmonary trouble. September 13th, 187G, Mr. Menage married Miss Amanda A., daughter of Benj. S. Bidl,of Minneapolis. They have one child, a daughter of the age of fourteen.

With a genius for organizing finance, singularly favored by fortune, Mr. Men¬ age is b\" no means avaricious or sordid. There is ample evidence that he accepts and practices the theory of stewardship. This is announced in no uncertain sound when the deep toned bell of the First Baptist Church, (a gift from Mr. Me¬ nage ) calls to worship. But his bene¬ factions do not always take traditional channels. His taste is seientific, museums and collections have always a peculiar attraction. Hence, when last 3'ear the Minnesota Acadenu' of Natural Science at Minneapolis desired to send out an expedition to the Phillipine Islands for scientific study, and to gather specimens in natural history' in that strangeh" pro¬ lific quarter of the Pacific ocean, its members were not less delighted than surprised when Mr. Menage offered to defra}' all the expenses of the expedition for two \'ears. Accordingly, Messi's. I). C. Worcester and F. S. Bourne, two \'oung men who had made one similar expedition in company with Prof. J. B. Steere, of the UniversiW of Michigan, were fitted out with all supplies needed for the undertaking, and in Jul\q 1890, depai'ted for their field. The results of the expedition are to be the property' of the Academy, with the sole condition that all specimens shall be accessi1)le for stud3^ by the students of the schools and colleges of the State.

Physicalh' Mr. Menage is spare, of medium stature, and not of a robust ap¬ pearance. He is modest and retiring in disposition, and reticent in speech. He has the facult3^ of inspiring confidence, and seems to possess the rare combina¬ tion of boldness in conception, and cau¬ tion and prudence in action. His career is illustrious among the numerous ones of our country, especialh' in the West, achieving success without adventitious aid, with none to env3' or malign, esteemed for probity, honor and enter¬ prise.

New York Life Building. One of the handsomest, most imposing and ex¬ pensive structures in the city is the New York Life Building ( as it is commonh' called ), erected by the New York Life In¬ surance Company, at the corner of Fifth street and Second avenue south. Its location is due to the fact that it is in¬ tended to be a headquarters for lawyers, as it is only one block from the court house, now in process of erection. At present it is a little one side of the center of business, but its advantages in the future are so obvious that a large num¬ ber of lawyers have, already secured offices in the building.

The building was commenced in Sejitember, 1888, and completed in the spring of 1890. It is ten stories in height, hav¬ ing an elevation above the pavement of

149 feet, surmounted by a flag pole 85 feet in height. It has a frontage on Fifth street of 150 feet, hy 100 feet in depth on Second avenue.

The three lower stories are of St Cloud granite, and the upper stories of St. Louis pressed brick, with terra cotta facings and trimmings, including some of beautiful Minnesota red sand stone. The architecture is peculiar and different from that of any other building in the city. In the general working out of the decorative plans of the exterior there is blending of the neo-Classic and Renais¬ sance, united with an element of pictur¬ esqueness not seen in any st3deinthe past, giving large scope to architectural effects. The general effect is that of solidity and pleasing variet^q making a tout ensemble, agreeable and restful to the eye, and a combination of styles which perhaps might appropriately be called neo-Ameri¬ can. The grand entrance on Fifth street formes a striking feature. The beautiful finish of the main entrance and court be\'ond are veiw noticeable features of the building. Various coloi'ed marbles here abound, and the architectural ar¬ rangement and adornment are admired bvall. The court is 30 feet wide, 45 long and 36 feet high. Here is the famous electric clock ( the dial 5% feet in diam¬ eter ), which is run by electricitjffrom the generating apparatus in the cellar. A full description of all the interior ar¬ rangement wordd require much more space than can here Idc spared. The building contains 218 office rooms, all well lighted, finished in cherry and mahoaranv. A law librarv of 8,000 volumes occupies a part of the tenth floor, which is for the free use of the tenants.

Great pains has been taken to make the building as near fire proof as possi¬ ble. Gas is prohibited and electric light furnished gratuitous^ to the tenants. There are four elevators running every day in the year, including holida3's and Sunda3^s. Toilet rooms are on each floor and a bath and barber room on the tenth. In short it would seem that the ne plus ultra of an office building has been achieved in the New York Life. The whole cost of the structure exceeds threequarters of a million dollars.

Chamber of Commerce. Pursuant to the provisions of an act of the Legis¬ lature of the State of Minnesota, ap¬ proved March 6, 1868, as amended by an act, approved March 3d, 1881, on the 6th day of October, 1881, the following named jjersons associated themselves to¬ gether as a corporation under the name of the Chamber of Commerce of Minne¬ apolis, viz: H. G. Harrison, A.C. Rand, John Dunham, A. H. Bode, E. V, White,

R. P. Russell, T.J. Buxton, W.F. Meader, C. M. Loring, A. D. Mulford, L. P. Snider, A. B. Taylor, D. C. Bell, Anthon3r Kelhq James A. Lovejo3q F. L. Morse, D.Syme,

S. W. Seri, R. McMullen, John R. Coykendall, and R. L. Crockett. The general objects and purposes of the incorpora¬ tors, as stated in their articles are: to fa¬ cilitate the buying and selling of all pro¬ ducts; to inculcate principles of justice and ecjuity in trade; to facilitate speedy adjustment of business disputes; to ac¬ quire and disseminate valuable commer¬ cial information; and generally, to secure to its members the benefits of co-opera¬ tion in the furthei'ance of their legitimate business pursuits, and to advance the general prosperity and business interests of the city of Minneapolis.

The officers named in said articles to serve for the first 3'ear were: H. G. Har¬ rison, president; A. D. Mulfoixl and A.B. Ta3dor, vice-presidents; G. D. Rogers, sec¬ retary; T. J. Buxton, treasui'er. Thefirst meeting of the incorporators, as a body, was held November 15th, 1881, at which twenty or more members were received, making the whole number at that time forty -two. At a subsequent meeting gen¬ eral rules and by-laws w'ere adopted. Early in Januaiw, 1882, rooms were se¬ cured for daily meetings and an exchange for grading was opened. The member¬ ship fee was fixed at twenty-five dollars. The daih' attendance on change I'anged from twelve to twentr'-five. The trad¬ ing was mostly confined to sample lots on track. From these humble begin¬ nings the institution has grown to its present commanding importance.

As soon as the organization wms fully completed, and the exchange fairly in¬ augurated, applications for membership were numerous, so that in Februaiy, 1882, the membership fee was raised to $250, for all applications filed after Feb¬ ruary 28th, 1882. Previous to that date 538 members had been received, and the number remains the same at pres¬ ent. Later the membership fee was raised to $500, and still later to $1,000, at which it still remains.

In April, 1882, a committee was ap¬ pointed to consider the matter of erect¬ ing a building for the use of the Cham¬ ber. In July of the same year the present location was selected, and the building committee was instructed to secure plans and estimates for a building. In Septem¬ ber plans were adopted and a contract entered into for the excavation and sub¬ foundations, which was executed before January, 1883.

In April, 1883, a contract vras made with F. A. Fisher & Co. for the erection and completion of the building, to be ready for occupancy by May 1st, 18S4. This contract was carried out, and the Chamber took possession of the building at the date last named, the structure costing about $200,000.

P'rom this date the business of the Chamber steadily and rapidly increased, the daily attendance on change being from twenty to two hundred, and the

Financially, the corporation has achieved a phenomenal success. Only $130 was assessed upon each mem her for building purposes. In 1884 the corpor¬ ation issued $100,000 ten r^ear five per cent, mortgage bonds on its property. To-day it has $93,000 in itssinkingfund, drawing six to eight per cent., and eight thousand dollars in the treasury, with no floating debt. The annual rental of the building is $27,000, exclusive of the Exchange room and offices used by the Chamber. The cash value of the build¬ ing and ground is estimated at not less than three hundred thousand dollars.

The building is a plain substantial structure five stories in height, without pretension to architectural adornment, but w^ell adapted to the purposes for which it was designed. The exterior walls on Third street atnd Fourth avenue are of Ohio sandstone, the other two sides of brick, with sandstone trimmings.

Mr. Sturtevant has filled the position he occupies ever since the organization of the Chamber, and has annually issued valuable reports showing the marvelous growth and progress of the city during the last ten years.

Franki.in Lewis Greenleaf. The calm face, which seems to cast a benig¬ nant look at the reader from the oppo¬ site jiage gives little token of the bnsj' brain behind it, which directs the midtitndinons details of a great milling and commercial business, besides presiding over the board whose transactions in buying and selling wheat exceed those of an\^ other in the world. Such, how¬ ever, is the present position of F. L. Greenleaf. He was born in Boston, Mass., October 7th, 1847. His father was Gardner Greenleaf, a contractor and builder, who put up the Boston Custom House and many other public buildings. His gi'andfather was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and his ancestors were among the earh' colonists of Mass¬ achusetts, tracing their descent from the Huguenots of Normand}'. He had the advantage of attendance at the excellent public school of Boston - the Boston Latin school, and finished by graduating at Chauncy Hall in 1865, when he took the gold medal for excellence in the Eng¬ lish course.

Immediatelv after his graduation he joined an elder brother who was in the general mercantile business at Denver, Colorado, where he I'emained until 1868, having in the meantime some interests in mining among the mountain gidches of the state. After a brief visit in Bos¬ ton he arrived in Minneapolis in October, 1868, and soon engaged in the whole¬ sale and retail boot and shoe trade with a partner under the style of Greenleaf & Buchanan. The store occupied a con¬ spicuous place in the Center Block, next east of the old Athemeum. After seven years this business was closed, and Mr. Greenleaf bought an interest in the Dakota Flour Mill. His associates were Henry F. Brown and W. F. Cahill. This mill has been operated by the same firm until the ])rcsent time, except that since the death of Mr. Cahill, his representa¬ tives have succeeded to his interest. Three j-ears later the firm of Hinkle, Greenleaf & Co. was formed, and oper¬ ated the Humboldt mill in Minnea])olis, and also some leased mills at Stillwater under the style of Florence Mill Com¬ pany. This firm was dissolved in 1890, and Mr. Greenleaf succeeded to the pos¬ session of the Florence Mill Compan3', which he still operates. The dailv capaeit\^ of the Dakota mill is 400 barrels of flour; of the Humboldt mill, 1,200 barrels, and of the F^lorence mills 600 barrels. The detail of manufacturing 2,200 barrels of flour per da\% j'ear in and \'ear out, has mainly" devolved upon Mr. Greenleaf, and is a responsibility of no small magnitude. His "Butterfl3"" brand of flour received the silver medal of the New England Agricultural Societ3" in 1890, showing the high qualit3' of their manufacture.

During all this time Mr. Greenleaf has been interested in the elevator business, which has grown up with the milling business of Minneapolis, and is essential for the supply of the flour mills wdth wheat as well as for the care and move¬ ment of the crop. He has been the gen¬ eral manager of the Minnesota & Dakota Elevator Company, with elevators at man3' stations throughout the hard wheat countr3'. He has likewise been president of the Red River Fllevator Compan3\

Mr. Greenleaf was elected vice-iiresident of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce in 1885, which he held until 1889, when he was elected its president, and now holds that ])osition. The dis¬ tinction will be ajipreciated when it is considered that within the Minneai)olis

Chamber is bought and sold a larger quantity of wheat than in any other market in the world. Other markets exceed its record in speculative transac¬ tions, but the purchases upon the Minne¬ apolis Boat'd are for consumption, and after selections of wheat suitable for milling, are made the inferior grade is again shipped to other markets. The record of the year 1890 of the Minne¬ apolis receipts of wheat is 57,811,615 bushels, and of shipments 20,083,525 bushels. The sound judgment and ac¬ curate knowledge of the milling busi¬ ness, which Mr. Greenleaf possesses, has designated him for most honorable and responsible positions in connection with the milling interests of the countr3'. In 1888 he was chosen prcvsident of the National Miller's Association. He has been president of the Minnesota State Miller's Association since 1886, and the present year (1891) he was made presi¬ dent of the National Transportation Association, an organization intimately connected with the milling interests.

Not alone in business connections has he been sought. He was elected aiderman of the Fourth Ward of the cit3' in 1883; and in the Citj^ Council was ap¬ pointed upon the important committees of Finances, Fire Department and Bonds. This position was held until his removal from the ward.

Mr. Greenleaf married in 1875 Miss Florence M. Cahill, daughter of W. F. Cahill, of Minneapolis, his j)artner in the Dakota mill. They have two child¬ ren, a daughter of fifteen years and a son of eight. They belong to the con¬ gregation of the Church of the Re¬ deemer and are prominent in social life.

Lumber Exchange. One of the most imposing and expensive buildings in the city is the Lumber Exchange, sittiated on the corner of Hennepin avenue and Fifth street. This building has a front¬ age on Hennepin avenue of 170 feet and 142 feet on Fifth street, thus presenting a greater street frontage than any other in the city. It is twelve stories in height with l^asement. The construction is of granite base, and Lake Superior brown stone to the top of the building. It is thoroughh'- fire proof; iron beams and tile arches with terra cotta partitions with all the modern improvements, heat¬ ing, lighting, etc. The building has two lai'ge banking rooms, and about five hun¬ dred office rooms, plainh'^ but substanti¬ ally furnished in good taste for the pur¬ poses used for. The total expense of the building wdth ground is between eleven and twelve hundred thousand dollars. The location of the buildingis command¬ ing. It is situated on high ground in the business portion of the city, and the width of Hennepin avenue ( 100 feet) on which is its greatest frontage, sets off its great height to admirable advantage. The material and color of the building conveys the impression of solidity, rich¬ ness and simpliciriG No large expense has been devoted to ornamentation, but whatever there is, will be admitted to be in good taste, and harmonious with the general design of the structure. There are three main entrances, two on Henne¬ pin avenue and one on Fifth street. There will be five elevators. The central staion of the Edison Light and Power Com¬ pany is located in the rear of this build¬ ing. The Board of Trade also has rooms hei'e, provided by the liberality of its proprietors.

The city is indebted to the enterprise and public spirit of S. G. Cook and C.H. Maxey for ii building of which it is justly proud. Some have feared that an enterpi'ise of this magnitude might prove premature, but the indications are, that all the most desirable rooms will be oc¬ cupied soon after completion.

statement, that the building is fire proof and that a part of the interior was des¬ troyed by fire in the winter of 1891, to add a word of explanation. While the building is as thoroughly" fire proof as any in the city, it is not meant that it is absolutely so. That would require the whole construction to be of incombusti¬ ble material. But it can be confidently stated, that no fire originating within the building, can acquire such force as to result in serious damage. The circum¬ stances of the fire alluded to were entirely exceptional. A five story brick building stood within ten feet on the east side, containing a large amount of inflamma¬ ble material. On an intensely cold night in I'ebruary 1891 that building took fire, which was soon beyond control. The flames shot up beyond the roof in great volumes and a strong wind swept their whole force directly against the Lumber Exchange. Of coui'se the windows were shattered by the intense heat, and the combustible material within took fire, a draft was created and the force of the wind in a short time swept the flames through the upper stoides of the build¬ ing. The supply" of water was perhaps insufficient for the requirements, and the intense cold rendered thehei'oic efforts of the firemen less effective than they would otherwise have been. It is possible iron blinds on that side of the building might have saved it, thought that is not cer¬ tain. It was a coincidence of the meet¬ ing of destructive elements which might not occur again in a century". In the i"e-construction of this part of the building since the first, iron has largely been substituted for wood, and it has been rendei'ed as thoroughly" fire proof as the new part.

The Minnesota Loan and Trust Com¬ pany's building was erected in 1884 and and 1885. It is thoroughly fire proof in consti'uction, being as far as the construc¬ tion is concerned, wholly of brick, stone and iron. Its finish is in Tennessee mar¬ ble, Mexican onyx and hard woods, such as mahogany, cherry and ciuartered oak.

It was erected primarily as a perman¬ ent home for The Minnesota Loan and Trust Company, and especially" for its large Safe Deposit business. About one hundred tons of iron and steel were used in the construction and equipment of the building and its safe deposit vaidts. These vaults are the largest and best in the state. The building has not only its own heating plant, but also its own electrie lighting plant, and is complete in every respeet. It cost about $225,000. The building is seven stories high and is architectually an ornament to the city.

The Bank of Commerce buildingisthe property of the "National Bank of Com¬ merce,'' and was erected inl888atacost of $240,000, for the building alone, the price x^aid for the site being $66,000, making a total of $306,000. It is seven stories high, built of Lake Superior brown stone, backed with hard brick and laid in Portland cement, all supj^orted on granite base. The stone is laid rock face, with dressed trimmings. The building is thoroughly fire-jDroof, all jDartitions and ceilings being of hollow tile. The floors are marble and hard wood laid on solid concrete.

Three elevatoi's are in use, two exclu¬ sively for xiassengers and one for freight. There are one hundred and thirty offices, which, with the entire building, are heat¬ ed by" steam.

The style of architecture is Romanes¬ que Gothic, admirably adaxffed to the X)urx)oses for which thebuildingis intend¬ ed. The x^lans were made by" Mr. Harry- W. Jones, architect, of this city".

Syndicate Block. Ground was broken for the erection of the Syndicate Block in Axoril, 1882, and was neaidy" comxfieted during that year. The first lease was made and the premises occupied in March, 1883. The building was erect¬ ed by a eorporation known as the The Minneapolis Syndicate, of which R. B. Langdon is x^resident; W. W. Eastman, vice-xDresident; Jno. DeLaittre, secretary" and treasurer, and J. F. Conklin, mana¬ ger. The shareholders were fifteen in number, and the stock is still owned mostly by the original incor^Dorators and their families. It is constructed of Ohio sandstone, and at the time of its

The loeation of this block has caused large advance in pro^Derty on this avenue and fixed for 3^ears to come the retail street and trade of the citt'. One and the XDrincipal cause of the success of this block is the fact, that all water, heat and light is furnished to tenants from one central steam plant owned and managed completion was the largest commercial building under one roof in this country, and still ranks among the handsome buildings of the Northwest. It has a frontage on Nicollet avenue of 330 feet by 150 feet each on Fifth and Sixth streets.

The Grand Opera House, 80x132 feet, being j^art of the x^rox^ert^^ located on Sixth street, and is recognized as one of the most beautiful houses of its class in the Northwest. The entii'e cost of the by the comx^an3^ Ten elevators are now in oxjei'ation throughout the buildingl Eighteen hundred incandesant electric lights and sevent3''-five arc lights are furnished by a comx^lete Edison light Xdant, and the entire structru'e is heated' by steam. The company has its own engineers and electrician, watchmen, etc., and the comfort of the tenants are well looked after.

of First street and Hennepin avenue, eoneeived the idea of eontraeting with the eity to ereet and eonduet a eity f)rodnee market on the site. The City Couneil unanimously granted a fifteen year franehise from November, 1876, when the market was opened. The usual eatables were kept in stalls inside, and the market gardeners and farmers stood with their wagons in the street against the side¬ walk. Commencing with six teams in 1876, when the franchise expired in 1891, there were over three hundred teams, blocking up all the approaching streets; the gardeners having centered all the wholesale commission produce busi¬ ness on the adjoining block.

The New Central IHarket, which, after various failures b^' reason of the novelty and magnitude of the undertaking, was commenced last autumn, near the time of the expiration of the life of the old one, by Messrs. Geo. A. Camp and T. B. Walker, who came into the enterprise at a critical point in its life, and are tak¬ ing it through to a grand conclusion, IMr. Gale retaining an interest and re¬ maining as manager.

The new premises, the cut of which shows the Seventh street front onl3^, oc¬ cupies the whole block, nearly three acres, between Sixth and Seventh streets and Second and Third avenues north. The building is of brick, three stories high, seventy -five feet deep, and extends on three sides of the block, 1,004 feet long, leaving the court as shown for the three hundred gardener's wagons, which stand against walk-ways, under canopies. The same level of the market building open¬ ing from this court is cut into fifty stalls filled with ever\'thing eatable. This whole floor, beingthe retail market, is on the level of Sevejith street. The first floor proper on the level of Sixth street, being cut into wholesale produce houses facing on, and having their business on

Sixth street and Second and Third ave¬ nues. This novel treatment makes two floors of the struetui'e grade floors. All the appointments and conveniences are modern and first-class; and while perhaps not the most expensive, it is certainh^ the most convenient and complete market in this countiw.

Te.mple Court: The large, hand¬ some office building, known as " Temple Court," which stands on the corner of Hennepin and Washington avenues, oc¬ cupies one of the most prominent loca¬ tions in the cit\". It is located upon the site of the old Aeademj' of Music, which was destroj'ed by fire December 25th, 1884. The building was erected Iw Messrs. W. W. and E. W. Herrick and Thomas Lowr\', and was completed May 1st, 1886, the work being done un¬ der the supervision of E. Townsend Mix & Co., architects. The building is of the most substantial character, being con¬ structed of granite, red pressed brick, terra-cotta and brown stone, with a superstructure of iron, the combination making it absoluteh' fire-proof. It has an inner coui't, around which all the offices are arranged, so that ever3' suite is light and desirable. In finish and ap¬ pointments the building will compare favorabh^ with an3" in the Northwest, the lower stories being wainscoted in marble and paneled in otn'x. The build¬ ing, which is eight stories high, contains some three hundred rooms, and cost about $250,000.

The law librar3' in the building is owned by the Henneinn Count3' Bar As¬ sociation. It contains 9,000 volumes of standard elementaiw books and re])orts of most all the states. The officers are Hon. J. M. Shaw, president; R. D. Rus¬ sell, vice-president; George H. Fletcher, secretary; F. B. Baile3', treasurer; Fk S. Walters, lil)i'arian.

laid in, heated by steam, and has two swiftly moving elevators. It is a build¬ ing whieh is not surpassed in many of the large cities of the country'-, and is one, with a number of others, that has made Minneapolis famous as a city of elegant business houses.

The building is now owned by a cor¬ poration known as the "Arcade Invest¬ ment Company," of which Thomas Lowiy is president; W. W. Herrick , vicepresident; E. W. Herrick, treasurer, and J. F. Conklin, secretary and general manager.

Boston Block: This handsome of¬ fice building, which stands on the corner of Third street and Hennepin avenue, was built in 1887 by Whitten & Burdett, of Boston, Mass. It has a front¬ age of 88 feet on Hennepin avenue, and a depth of 157 feet on Third street, and is seven stories high. It has a handsome stone front, with brick Ijacking, iron columns and girders, and is absolutely fire-proof The building cost, including ground, $325,000. The old Boston Block, which occupied the same corner, was built in 1881 and destro3^ed by fire April 12th, 1887, the present building being erected the same jTar. In the fall of 1887 the pro])erty was sold to a cor¬ poration of Boston capitalists, known as the Boston Block Compan^^ for the sum of $500,000. Air. L. S. Buffington, of this citty was the architect of the building, and managed the property' un¬ til it was sold to the new company The property is now under the management of Mr. I. C. Seeley.

West Hotel. The citizens of Alinneapolis are indebted to the liberalit}^ pub¬ lic spirit and generosity of the late Charles IV. West - a millionareand form¬ er resident of Cincinnati, 0., for one of the most palatial and best appointed hotels in the United States - which is to say, in the woidd. It is the only instance in history where a city as j'oung as this has received so princely a benefaction - for such it in truth was. Col. West asked no bonus or contributions from the citiz¬ ens - as is usually the case - in aid of the enterprise. He loved Minneapolis, and his far-sighted business shrewdness and sagacity' foresaw the future greatness of the cityL In his declining years he erected this most noble and worthy monument and memorial, from which not only the present, but future generations will hold his name in grateful remembrance.

The ground selected for the site was the most eligible and convenient in the city'. It is high, and stands near the present center of population and within reasonable distance of all railroad depots. The hotel fronts 175 feet on Hennepin avenue Iw 196 on Fifth street. The material used is Joliet marble for the first story and part of the second ; the remainder of red pressed brick and terra cotta. Including the basement, there are nine floors. There are two main en¬ trances ; one on Hennepin and one on Fifth, and both are marvels of massive and elaborate carvings and pillared work. The elevation from the street to the top of the tower is 200 feet.

Within, the most noticeable feature on the ground floor is the court in the centre, 70 b^' 90 feet, with office in the rear. The main entrance, on Hennepin, is 25 feet wide, and that on Fifth street 15. Leading from the floor between the entrances is the grand stairway of white marble filling a space 17 b\' 36 feet. Con¬ nected with the main court are the read¬ ing rooms, news and telegraph office, coat and wash rooms, and billiard room and saloon, the last two having an area 50 by 80 feet. All these roomg are fin¬ ished in costly variegated marbles, except walls and ceiling. The entire lower floor is tiled with marble, and mahogany, where wood work is used. A heavj^ ground glass shield extends over the en¬ tire court ( sometimes called the Ex¬ change room ) , beneath which is a deco¬ rated glass shade, furnishing a subdued and agreeable light. The barber shop and bath rooms herewith connected are elegant and in harmony with the entire floor. In short, taking this whole vast space with all its appointments and adornments together, it is safe to say that its equal is not found in the world.

The first floor above the office is di¬ vided into a grand dining room, 50 by 100 feet, three smaller dining rooms, ladies' ordinary, gentlemen's club rooms, four parlors, four stilts of private rooms, for bridal chambers and distinguished guests. On this floor is also the kitchen and accessories, in the rear of the dining rooms. These rooms are all of the most ample and generous proportions, the ladies' ordinary being 40 by 50 feet; the kitchen , 50 by 87 ; serving room, 14 by 50; club room, 24 by 28. A striking feature of this floor is the corridor, from 16 to 28 feet wide and 300 feet long, overlook¬ ing the court, and most agreeable for a promenade on balls and public occasions. All the flooring is of marble ( except the parlors), the walls wainscotted with marble and mahogany, with ceiling of carved mahogany in panels. The grand dining room is unsurpassed in richness, well lighted and ventilated with nine half-circle windows of exquisitely stained glass on two sides, and the walls finished in richly carved mahogany in Aloorish style.

The floors above correspond in beauty and finish to those already mentioned. There are 415 guest rooms, 150 with connected bath rooms, and all furnished with hot and cold water. The water for the entire house is of the purest kind, furnished from an artesian well, 607 feet deep, and capable of supplying 177,000 gallons daily.

In a climate like this, whei'e the winters are long and sometimes severe, the matter of heating such a building is one of the first importance. This is done by what is known as the Osborne Equal¬ ized Pressure System, and is so arranged as to give an even temperature of 70 degrees Fah., even when the outside tem¬ perature is from 30 to 40 degrees below zero. The building throughout is thor¬ oughly fire-proof.

The foregoing sketch gives but an im¬ perfect idea of this great hotel as a whole, which must be seen - or rather occupied for a season, to make its full impression on the mind. Unfortunately, Col. West lived but a short time after its completion to enjoy the splendid bene¬ faction he had made to the city. His lamented death occurred in Cincinnati, Sept. 11, 1884. This property was becj^ueathed by him to his nephew. Col. John T. West, under whose able manage¬ ment it has since been conducted.

*The Nicollet House. In 1836 a distinguished French astronomer and literary man, Jean N. Nicollet, visited Minnesota ; and, telescope in hand and sextant slung over his shoulder, ascended the Mississippi and made the first accur¬ ate survey of Lake Itasca, and the idtimate source of the great river. While making observations at the Falls of St. Anthony the Sioux Indians plundered his supplies. Though a discoverer of a com¬ et he failed to write his name among the stars ; but Minneapolis has done honor to his menory in giving his name to an island in the river, to her finest business street, and to her jDioneer hotel.

The Nicollet House was built in 1857 by Messrs. James M. Eustis and W. H. Nudd, two young men from Boston who chanced to meet here when the enterpris¬ ing pioneei's were planning for a ho Lei.

building up the new town circulated a subscription paper, and secured the offer of a bonus of $10,000 to secure a first-class hotel. Messrs. Eustis and Nudd accepted the offer, and purchased a lot at the cor¬ ner of Washington and Hennepin ave¬ nues, fronting one hundred feet on the former and one hundred and seventy-six feet on the latter, for which they paid $4,000, or $40 per front foot, for it was the choicest lot in the town for such a purpose. The opposite corners were then occupied by one-story frame tene¬ ments. The front looked out upon the on the 20th of May, 1858, about a year from the first inception of the enterprise. The occasion was a notable one. A ban¬ quet was spread and partaken of with unbounded enthusiasm . J udge E.B.Ames presided, Harlow A. Gale officiated as toast master, and Col. Cyrus Aldrich, Judge F. R. E. Cornell, D. Morrison, W. W. Eastman, Judge Isaac Atwater, Joel B. Bassett, Edward Murphy, Henry T. Welles, James R. Lawrence, B. F. Barber and J. B. Gilbert, officiated as vice-presi¬ dents. These made speeches as well as Governor Henry H. Sibley, Eugene AI.

Nicollet House

Operations were energetically pushed. The material emplo\^ed was the cream colored brick manufactured at the spot where the new city market is now build¬ ing. The facades was plain but impos¬ ing of four stories, with an entre sol The first floor was divided into stores. From the center of the Washington avenue front ascended a broad stairway to the second floor, where was the spacious of¬ fice of the hotel, reception room and par¬ lors.

Wilson and Isaac Atwater. The "few remarks'' of the latter are described by one of the guests present as strikingh' appropriate and "funny punny and tak¬ ing.''

About the same timearival hotel was built on Washington avenue and Catar¬ act street (Sixth avenue south) Iw a stock compan3q of which Judge Comell, Geo. E. Hin", R. P. Rvissel and Edward Murpln'were the principal stockholders. Bvit the Nicollet had the better location, and from the start enjo^-ed the Ijest pat¬ ronage of the town and of the traveling world. It had been opened with great eclat, and the ju'oprietors spared no pains in its care and cuisine. There the traA'- elei' from the East, after a week's disgust from the odors of a steamboat caboose, or with appetite whetted by the fron¬ tiersman's beans and bacon, found him¬ self reposing in luxurious beds, and re¬ galed with delicate viands, and his good humor gave a roseate flush to all hissui'- roundings, so that he never failed to speak a good work for the beauty of Minneapolis, and the elegance of her ho¬ tel.

After running the hotel for about five years the proprietors found themselves richer in fame than fortune, and leased the hotel to Air. I. P. Hill, and for several years it frequently changed proprietors. About 1867 it was sold to Messrs. F. S. and F. F. Gilson. They purchased the portion of the block to the Nicollet street corner and erected an addition in similar style to the original, thus making it cover the whole block between Hennepin avenue and Nicollet street. They re¬ moved the stairway and brought the office to the ground floor, putting in a glass rotunda intherearcourt, and made many other improveraeints. The Gilsons had come from New York Cit^', where they had been proprietors of Ta3dor's restaurant, and were accomplished cat¬ erers as well as public spirited and agree¬ able gentlemen. For many years they made the reiDutation of the Nicollet equal to that of the best hotels of the metro- IDolitan cities. Finally, after the death of the senior Gilson, the hotel came into the possession of John T. West, then a 3'oung man, who had conducted a pop¬ ular restaurant on lower Washington avenue. During his management the popularity of the house increased, and in the growing town and country, was thronged with guests. Here was gained that experience in the hotel business, and such profit as led to the planning and building of the West Hotel.