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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1883)
250 THE WEST SHORE. October, 1883. MECHANICS' FAIR. Sii yirs a?o Mr. II. U. Sanborn, recognising tbe fact that an exposition of the manufacture and products of Oregon and Washington should be made at the metropolis of this region, deter mined to inaugurate such an exhibition. By his usual energy he succeeded in gathering such a display as was a surprise to every one, and demon strated that such a fair held annually would be a benefit to the people and a profit to its managers. The result was that the next year the Portland Mechanics' Fair was incorporated, though the pioneer manager whose good judgment and execu tive ability had made such a society possible, was ignored by the incorporators. The fifth annual exhibition of this association, extending from the eleventh to the twenty-seventh of October, is one of the most interesting and valuable given by that association. In many respects it is superior to its predecessors and in every way is an attrac tive and pleasing display. The benefit of this annual exhibition to the people of Portland and of the whole northwest can not be computed, but there is no doubt that no single event in the northwest is so calculated to advance its interests as this periodical display of manufactured and ag ricultural products, machinery and goods. There are a number of features that could be considerably improved upon, and would be if more general interest were displayed by the business men. In particular the display of manu factures could be made more interesting and bene ficial. Instead of such an endless array of com pleted articles, much of them imported, there should be shown as completely as the limited space will permit, the process of making the article from the raw material In one or two Instances this is done, as in the pottery exhibit and the rope making display, and the crowds that surround those places are but an indication of how much more attractive to the visitor and beneficial to the exhibitor is such a showing Then there is the omission of some of our most important industries. Our great lumbering busl ness is practically unrepresented; the immense canning industry of Astoria is conspicuous by its absence) no one would imagine from a visit to the pavilion that this is a state rich in minerals, and that thousands are engaged in wresting from the bowels of the earth their hidden treasures of gold, silver, coal and iron; there is a display of elegant furniture, but how is one to know that it Is not imported and that the Oregon wood can be and is daily being made up into as elegant fur niture as one can wish 'for; what is there to impress upon tbe stranger the idea that we manu facture a score of articles that are displayed simply in their completed form or not exhibited at all? We certainly hope to see an improvement in this mpect another year. Tbe Art Gallery is certainly a vast improve ment upon anything heretofore collected together In this city, and consists chiefly of many large and valuable paintings kindly loaned by our men of means who have surrounded themselves with tbe works of tome of the most skillful artists of America and Europe. There are also a number of paintings and crayons by well-known local artist. THE MAIN HALL. Oar doable-page engraving convey a good Mea of tbe general appearance and arrangement of the main hall and gallery, and renders super fluous all description save a brief notice of the most meritorious exhibits. The display of jewelry made by Messrs. Hen- richsen & Greenlwrg is continually surrounded by a throng of admirers. The elegance in design and beauty of the great variety of gold and silver ornaments exhibited, draw exclamations of de light from all visitors. Opposite is one of the most pleasing exhibits in the pavilion, coasisting of chandeliers and lamps with tinted globes, all illuminated, and elegant mantels, fountains, statuary, lawn ornaments, etc, made by Messrs. Foster & Robertson, 88 and 90 Front street. A. M. Smith, proprietor of the Buena Vista Pottery, has a most attractive exhibit of the prod uct of his works. Their terra-cotta color attracts the eye from a distance, and draws the visitor forward to examine the collection of curious and interesting objects. Specimens of all descriptions of earthen vessels, stoneware, chimney flues, of which he makes a specialty, flower pots, tiling, fine brick, etc., as well as the plastic clay from which these various articles are made, are arrang ed in two compartments and receive much atten tion. This pottery is noted for the excellence of its product. The yard and warerooms are situat ed at the corner of Fifth and D streets. The popular pharmacists, Messrs. Nelson, Ball & Co., whose elegant establishment in the A ins worth block, 71 Third street, is so much admired, have a stand near the floral department, where are displayed a fine assortment of toilet articles and the goods of which they make a specialty. Tbe firm are agents for the Eastman perfumes and manufacture the tonic known far and wide as "Beef, Iron & Wine." Julius Dilg, successor of Lundberg & Dilg and dealer in optician's, electrical and scientific goods and instruments on Fourth street between Yam hill and Morrison, makes a highly interesting dis play of opera, field and marine glasses, specta cles, microscopes, surveyors' instruments, electric al goods, etc Mr. Dilg is an expert experiment at mechanic and makes a specialty of construct' ing patent models and of repairing and fine me chanical work. Paul J. A. Semler & Co. proprietors of the Portland Homoeopathic Pharmacy, have a display of medicine and physician' supplies that is very complete and interesting. This is the only insti tution of the kind in the Pacific northwest and was established by Mr. Semler nearly a year ago. To further increase his facilities for handling the rapidly expanding business, he has formed a partnership with Mr. Frank Cramer, of San Fran cisco, and will soon remove to the new brick building on the corner of Third and Washington, where the new firm of Semler & Cramer will open out a very complete stock of goods. Tbe display of Weber and Chickering pianos and Estey organs made by D. W. Prentice, re ceives the admiration of all visitor to the west end of the gallery. A number of these celebrat ed instrument in different styles are shown and receive many favorable comment for the elegance of their design and carvings, and their richness and fullness of tone. This house deals only in standard Instruments and by its upright method of transacting business has become a favorite with the musical public No one is permitted to pur- cnase or retain an instrument until thoroughly satisfied with its tone and quality, and every effort rc mine IO aisr mem in miking a tion. A complete stock of pianos, organs, band instruments and music of all kinds is kept at the salesrooms 107 First street. Parties purchasing of them have the assurance of dealing with a re sponsible house and can fully rely upon all repre sentations made by them. ' At either end of the main hall is arranged a fine ' assortment of mantels, statuary, mirrors, pictures, irames, mournings, and bnc-a-brac from the es. tablishment of Messrs. S. k G. Cumn r j- w vwt This is a well-known importing and manufactur ing house of San Francisco which has recently es tablished a branch in this city, at 69 Third street in the Ainsworth block, under the superintenden cy of Mr. J. Halberstadt. Their stock of goods is complete, new, and of the most artistic designs. and the display made in their show windows and salesrooms is as handsome and attractive as an art gallery. Messrs. F.. S. Chadboume & Co., the large furniture manufacturers and dealers, corner of First and Yamhill, make a special display of the Burr Parlor Folding Beds, for which they are the sole agents. This is an ingenious device by means of which an upright piece of ornamental furniture and a bed are made interconvertible. A comfortable bed, with a spring mattress and abundant clothing, is made to disappear as if by magic into the interior of a desk, book case, or other useful article that takes up but little room and is an ornament to the parlor. Its superiority over a bed lounge is evident, and in meeting completely the demand for economy of space by parties to whom excessive rent is a burden, re ceives the approval of all who examine it. Mr. Howard H. Gross manipulates the various styles on exhibition and cheerfully answers the multi tude of questions showered npqn him. These useful articles vary in price from $30 to $300, according to the size, style and material. Adjoining this is a handsome collection of carpets from the warerooms of Messrs. H. F. Gullixson & Co., corner of First and YamhilL E. R. Behlow, 29 Washington street, has showing of furs and manufactured fur goods with out doubt the most complete and elegant era placed on exhibition in this city. The warmth and richness of the display elicit comments of admiration from tbe promenaders, and visitor! find it impossible to pass by without stopping to examine and stroke gently with the hand the velvety furs that are so tempting to tbe eye. This house deals in furs and fur articles of all kinds. Messrs. William Beck & Son, 165 and 7 Secord ftreet, make a display of guns, fishinf tackle, cutlery and sportsmen's goods, that amply proves their claim to be the leading house in lb1 line in the northwest The large clothing establishment of A Roberts, corner of First and Alder, is splendidly repre sented on the south side of the gallery. Tbe Oregon Furniture Factory, H. Harris Co. proprietor, 49 First and 43 F""11 "f" demonstrates what can be done in Oregon manufacture of trunks, valises, etc. Messrs. J. H. Robbins & Son, 9 "ir who have been established in business bere W even yean, make a fine display of rl Kirs merits. They have on exhibition three