Extracted text
Editorial transcription, lightly normalized from the cited page scans. Historical claims remain those of The Flaming Sword.
Lee County and the Koreshan Unity Side by Side in a Great Success.
Perhaps nothing that the Koreshans ever did on external lines has attracted so much attention in so short a time as their work at the Tampa Exposition. Doubtless it was also the greatest advertisement ever given to Lee County and Southern Florida. It was unquestionably the greatest exposition ever held in the State; and it may be truly said that owing to the extreme novelty and peculiarity of the Koreshan exhibits, and the large variety and excellent exhibit of tropical fruits and other products of Lee County, the companion displays from this County constituted a great center of attraction to the Fair visitors.
It would perhaps require more than one entire number of The Flaming Sword to do justice to the exhibits of the Koreshan Unity and Lee County. In the Editorial department of this issue we devote some space to the general results of the Exposition; and following this article are newspaper comments which will reflect considerable credit and light on the Koreshan work at Tampa during the Fair. We can here but briefly describe the exhibits of the Koreshan Unity and Lee County, which together occupied the space of 40x45 feet, artistically decorated with a variety of tropical growths, including banana and cocoanut palms— the whole constituting a great surprise to Floridians generally, and even to the people of Lee County.
Of the immense variety of exhibits prepared by the Koreshan Unity we can describe but comparatively few. We may divide them into four general classes: Scientific apparatus, representing the Koreshan System; the Art Department, including hand-painted chinaware, embroidery, fancy-work, pyrography, sketches, and portraiture; the Manufacturing Department, and products of farm and groves. Besides, there were many articles that would have to be differently classified. The entire exhibit in the Art Department was tastefully arranged under the personal supervision and direction of Victoria Gratia, Pre-Eminent of the Koreshan Unity. To the Pre-Eminent we accord great credit for the manifold attractions and successes of the Koreshan exhibits.
In the Scientific Department were displayed the Electric Automaton of the Universe or hollow globe; the Naples Geodetic Survey in miniature; the original sections of the Rectilineator; and other astronomical and scientific and physical apparatus. These proved to be a decided novelty and source of attraction to thousands of visitors. They aroused the curiosity of the city, and the Koreshans at Tampa were much talked of and thoroughly advertised. In the Scientific Department lectures were delivered daily by the Founder of Koreshanity, and Rev. E. M. Castle, of the Chicago University, assisted by Rev. Berthaldine, Matrona, W. Ross Wallace, and Rollin W. Gray. Great crowds surrounded the exhibits of the Koreshan Unity and Lee County continually, attracted by the unique exhibits, the lectures, and the music rendered by the Koreshan Orchestra, in attendance throughout the most interesting days of the Fair.
Victoria Gratia’s valuable collection of beautifully hand-painted chinaware was greatly admired by a large number of visitors at the Koreshan booth. On this individual exhibit the Pre-Eminent was awarded first premium and diploma at the Tampa Exposition. The collection was artistically arranged near the center of our space, and was shown to splendid advantage on a draped pyramidal figure. We must mention especially the handsome fish set, consisting of an exquisitely decorated platter and six plates, which called forth considerable surprise and comment. This fish set received first premium at an Art Exhibition at Chicago in 1893. In the collection there were several very handsome pieces of Royal Worcester and underglaze. Also an attractive dessert set, consisting of a large bowl, platter, and a dozen plates painted old blue. Much admired was a lovely plaque of Morning Glories, with a beautifully blended background. The Pre-Eminent’s individual exhibit is of special interest to Koreshans, because the beautiful hand-painting was executed by the Pre-Eminent herself; and we are proud to say that her work ranks high in art circles. The Pre-Eminent also executed the beautiful and attractive hand-embroidered piano scarf, which took the first premium at the Tampa Exposition.
In the Art Department were also displayed various articles of fancy work, embroidery, laces, sofa pillows, umbrella shawls, and a silk quilt showing ground-plan of the New Jerusalem, executed by the Sisters of the Unity. The pyrographic work on exhibition, the work of Sister Imogene Bubbett, was of a high order, and should have been awarded a premium but for some mistake or blunder in the entries. The pastel portrait of the Founder of Koreshanity, executed by Sister Naomi Wallace was the finest piece of pastel work on exhibition. The sketches, drawings, and portraiture, by young people of the Unity attracted considerable attention. A prominent thing in the geographical line was a large map of the Town of Estero and vicinity, executed by Bro. Moses G. Weaver, in colors on canvas some ten feet square.
The Koreshan Unity had on exhibition almost all kinds of Florida fruits and farm products. The large pyramid of grapefruit, six feet in height, nine-foot base, was very fine, visible from all portions of the great Agricultural building; it stood as a monument to the fruit industry of Lee County. Sixteen hundred grapefruit were required to cover the pyramid, besides large clusters which adorned the sides and apex. Its arrangement was the design and execution of Brother W. Ross Wallace, as was also much of the other work in the Koreshan booth. There was a great variety of Florida vegetables and grasses, and commercial woods; also manufactured articles and numerous exhibits which we cannot describe. The Printing Department of the Koreshan Unity and the Guiding Star Publishing House were well represented by appropriate exhibits. Premiums were awarded Koreshan exhibits as follows:
First Premiums
Best individual collection of hand-painted chinaware. Best hand-embroidered piano scarf. Best handkerchief with crochet border. Best two yards of crochet lace.
Best silk quilt. Best sofa pillow. Best home-made candy. Best home-made pound-cake. Best chocolate cake. Best bushel of sweet potatoes.
Second Premiums
Best bushel of cowpeas. Best bushel of peanuts. Best Japanese persimmons.
We should like to describe the exhibit of Lee County at length if space admitted. The Koreshan Unity exhibit was counted as a part of Lee County’s exhibit— and yet on account of the distinctive features of the Unity’s exhibit, the displays were separate, each occupying one half the space allotted to Lee County. The County was awarded first premium on the unique display of tropical fruits. Lee County was the southernmost county represented at the Fair, and on lines of tropical fruits, it certainly had the decided advantage over other counties having exhibits. An immense amount of fruits and vegetables were placed on exhibition by the citizens of Lee County; also various novelties—as in the line of tanned alligator and snake skins; also a fine ladies’ department, and a choice collection of jellies and canned goods. The County was awarded a number of individual premiums. The thirty honors conferred upon exhibits from Lee County, are nearly equally divided between the County and the Koreshan Unity. The combined exhibits of Lee County and the Unity made a most excellent showing, and should have been awarded a premium on the basis of the most varied exhibit. The twin exhibits from Lee County received much attention from the thousands of visitors at the Tampa Exposition, who were shown through the booths by polite attendants and assistants.
We must not omit expressing our appreciation of the Estero Orchestra of fourteen members— young ladies and gentlemen of the Unity, in white uniforms. They attracted considerable attention throughout their stay at the Fair, furnishing music for the Lee County and the Koreshan exhibits, as well as for the Exposition. Their efforts were much appreciated by the thousands of visitors; and the South Florida press paid them a number of excellent tributes, for which we are both proud and glad.
Finally we must note the Reception given to the citizens of Tampa and press representatives, by the Founder of Koreshanity, at the famous Tampa Bay Hotel, on Friday evening, November 25. This was the social event in connection with our work at Tampa. It gave many people a splendid opportunity to become acquainted with the character and purposes of the Koreshan System, especially along industrial and commercial lines, and will doubtless be productive of lasting results in the favor of Koreshan progress in Florida.
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The source scans remain the record. This page preserves the periodical’s report without presenting its historical claims as independently established.
The Flaming Sword · Vol. 18, No. 27 · 13 Dec 1904 · PDF pp. 12–13