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