1884 Cotton Centennial World’s Fair in New Orleans guidebook's description of the Minnesota and Dakota Exhibits.
MINNESOTA.
This state has an area of 83,531 square miles or 58,459,840 acres, is watered by a great number of beautiful lakes. Its surface is undulating and generally presents a landscape of beautiful lawns separated by belts of timber. A considerable portion is covered with timber, and, in addition, upwards of 30,000,000 forest trees have been planted by farmers and are growing. The soil is generally a rich loam, resting on a calcareous substratum. It ranks very high as an agricultural state, particularly for wheat. The north-eastern section is rich in iron and copper ores. For its age, the state is well supplied with manufactures, and its flour manufactures are among the greatest of the world, and its exhibit in this direction is of great interest. Notice especially its wonderful methods and results in manufacturing New Process Flour; ingenious method of filing newspapers, by West Publishing Company; exhibits of granite and gabbro rock, similar to granite but not containing quartz, very fine; representation of "Falls of Minnehaha; " exhibit of birds, animals and minerals, furnished by Prof. W. H. Winchell and the State University; noticeable among the birds is the American Pelican, which makes its home in the state, also a pair of Albino Deer; monument of building stone; exhibit from Pipestone Co., in case ; attractive display made in pavilion by Pillsbury Mills, together with process of Flour Making, commencing with specimens of wheat from thresher up to No. 1 New Process Flour, showing 167 different forms. Do not fail to examine the wonderful exhibit of the L. C. Porter Milling Co., of Gluten Flour, varieties of flour, and system of manufacturing and analysis of Graham Flour, and their own manufacture showing the starch and gluten in wheat. Next the Sugar and Syrup exhibit of J. F. Porter, made by his patent process; cabinet of Fish, by Minnesota Fish Commission, showing the native fish, real fish skins stuffed, so as to show the genuine fish.
Prof. Winchell’s excellent system of maps, eight in all, showing minerals, topography of land, &c., very interesting.
Indians in Birch bark canoes, with dog sledges, walking in snow slices, on cotton, to represent snow ; also notice Red River Cart, and samples of woods cut down by beavers. That portion of Pipestone Co. where the clay used for making pipes is found has always been considered sacred ground by all IndianTribes, and they are all permitted to obtain clay from this place for making "pipes of peace." Though the Sioux and Chippewa Tribes have always been at enmity, when they meet here they must meet as "friends." Before leaving, do not fail to examine the fine display of flour from the famous Washburn Mills, and excellent building stone, as displayed in stately obelisk.
DAKOTA.
The exhibit made by this territory is of such a remarkable character as to call particular attention to its domain. The territory is 414 miles long and 316 miles wide, and while adapted to the growth of all cereals, has a large portion of the great wheat and corn belts of the north-west ; it has an area of 150,000 square miles almost three times as large as the great state, New York. The mound which you first see, covered with rocks, petrified woods, animals, &c., is intended to represent the territory as it was when found by the white settlers. The display of woods is not made so much to indicate that the territory is now rich in wood, but what its soil could produce, and what they believe was once plentiful, but destroyed by fires. Of the animals, notice particularly Moose, on front of mound ; White Buffalo, at right, very scarce, cost $1,000; pair of American Antelopes, in rear of mound, distinguished by his black horns; Rocky Mountain Sheep, distinguished by his large horns. Turning from these to the log-cabin, at right, see the large Buffalo Wolf, or Loafer, as he is called, which is a cross with the dog; Prairie Wolf, or Coyote, which is allied to the dog species ; beautiful display of mounted animal heads, and mirrors ornamented with horns; pair of antler's heads, with horns locked as, it is said, they locked during a fight, thus causing their death. Mr. W. L. Barrows, of Mandam, Da., owner of the cabin and display, has also interesting Indian relics, together with photographs illustrative of the Ouster Massacre. He displays, too, some wonderful petrifications; ask to see petrified heart of buffalo.
Turning back to state exhibit, examine a box of Jasper Granite, found at Sioux Falls, and is being used quite generally for building ; also, round stones, resembling cannon balls, which give name to Cannon Ball river, in the Devil Lake Region ; Indian carved stones ; wonderful grain column ; native grasses, six feet high, from bottom-lands, and three to four feet high from uplands; tame grasses and millets ; display of grain ; flour manufactured in the Territory; special attention is called-to soil exhibits, showing a depth of seven feet in bottom-lands, and three to four feet in uplands ; a loam soil, said to be easily worked. The population of this territory is now fully 500,000, large railroad facilities, flourishing business towns, great agricultural resources and development, excellent schools, and yet is deprived of the privilege and rights of state government. Is not this deprivation a great injustice?