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objects in connection with the Centennial began to attract public attention. One was a log cabin in process of construction on the northeast section of the Public Square, designed to typify early life in the Western Reserve; the other was a Centennial Arch in course of erection to span Superior street, directly north of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. A crowd of interested spectators kept constant watch over the work on both of these structures. When completed, the cabin was sixty feet long, from east to west. twenty feet square, one on either side of a central passage-way or court. It comprised two compartments, each It was surrounded by a rail fence, and in one section of the yard was an old-fashioned well-sweep.

The Centennial Arch was seventy feet high, 106 feet wide and twenty feet thick, and was designed by Architect W. D. Benes. frame-work was of wood. The turn was covered with staff and painted white. This was covered with lath, and the lath in were elaborate and beautiful. The ornamentations pedestals, one on each side and one at each end. There were six plaster-cast groups on sisted of winged figures seven feet high holding aloft vases of flowers. Those in front conAround the front of the arch proper ran a band of decorative work, while in the center or keystone was a large American eagle with outstretched wings. The frieze set forth an ornamentation, in which cupids, shields and garlands played the leading parts. On top of the arch a balustrade with flags of all nations formed the crowning decora tion. The cost of the arch was $4,000. glory, light from 900 electric lamps shining forth and brilliantly illumiAt night it appeared in all its nating the Public Square.

The rooms at headquarters were handsomely decorated for the celebration, being festooned with flags and bunting and presenting a gala appearance. A large and substantial reviewing stand was built by the city in front of the City Hall in anticipation of the parades. This was painted white, and provided with a neat canopy, and was appropriately decorated with the national colors. A Centennial medal, designed

by L. Vincent Metz, of Erie, was struck and placed on sale, and badges appropriate to the celebration were freely worn on coat lapels and dresses. As usual in such undertakings, the last week prior to the opening of the celebration was the busiest, various details crowding thick and fast upon the committees, demanding the application of all the energy obtainable.

CHAPTER III.

WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT.

JULY, 1895-JULY, 1896.

Before entering upon the description of the various exercises of the summer, it is proper that attention should here be given to the part taken in the preliminary arrangements by the patriotic women of Cleveland and the Western Reserve. As woman had much to do with the upbuilding of the city and the achievements of its first century, so had she much to do with the observance of its anniversary. The movement for the organization of women in the interests of the celebration was started by Mrs. W. A. Ingham, a member of the Early Settlers' Association. The brightness and capability of Cleveland women from the beginning of the century were a source of pride alike to her and to all others of the day, and an exposition of their work was early proposed. Mrs. Ingham discussed the project with the President and Executive Committee of the Early Settlers' Association, and was bidden by them to go forward choosing her assistants. At the meeting of the association, on July 22d, 1895, she delivered an address supporting the movement, and the suggestions made therein met with general approval. On July 23d, a small meeting of women was held at the home of Miss Elizabeth Blair, No. 802 Prospect street, where the plans were further considered.

The Centennial Commission having decided upon an auxiliary woman's department, a call was issued for a general meeting of women in September to perfect an organization. In response to the call, a large number came together in the Assembly Room of the Public Library Building. A constitution was adopted declaring the objects of the department in the following article:

"The objects of this department shall be the proper presentation of woman's work and history in the Western Reserve at the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the city of Cleveland and the carrying out of such other measures as shall add to the success of said celebration."

Mrs. Ingham was elected president, and three hundred vice-presidents were chosen from among pioneer women and their descendants, together with five active vice-presidents, two secretaries and a treasurer, selected from the different sections of the city. Supposing there was to be a Centennial exposition, twenty well-known women were chosen to form an executive committee for the purpose of co-operating in the project, of which Mrs. Elroy M. Avery was chairman. It was decided to hold public meetings each month, at which papers of special interest in connection with the Centennial should be read and various features of the work discussed. The first of these meetings was held in the Assembly Room of the Public Library Building on December 20, 1895. A large audience was present, excellent music was rendered, and the following programme was presented: "Christmas Eve in Old Trinity," Mrs. W.

A. Ingham; "Old Time Amusements," Mrs. B. F. Taylor; "The Atlanta Exposition," Mrs. Elroy M. Avery. At subsequent sessions, which were also largely attended, attention was given to sketches of pioneer women and the sacrifices made by the early settlers, and to the hardships endured by them and the records of their gallantry and thrift. The subjects of literature, education, philanthropy, art and industry were all presented in papers of rare excellence.

Ex

It was with regret that the exposition idea was abandoned when the Centennial Commission found the general plan not feasible. tensive arrangements were carried forward, however, for the observance of Woman's Day, on July 28th. A programme was outlined, special committees were appointed, and the securing of speakers and planning of special features was undertaken with a will. Funds were energetically collected and a vast amount of detail work was accomplished as the summer of 1896 advanced.

Headquarters were established, previous to the opening of the celebration, in the rooms of the Centennial Commission, on Superior street, and representatives of the department were constantly on hand. Besides bending their efforts toward celebrating in a fitting manner the day allotted to them, the women joined heartily in the other events, rendering important aid in all of them. An important work — that of preparing a memorial to the pioneer women of the Western Reserve — was assigned to Mrs. Gertrude V. R. Wickham. Through two hundred and sixteen assistant historians from the townships of the Reserve the collection of material for this memorial was effected, and prepared for publication. Other facts relating to the woman's department are contained in other chapters of this volume, the story of their work being closely interwoven with the story of the celebration. The roster of officers and committees of the department was as follows;