June 29, 1898

Montana Dedication DayThe location of the Montana building gave it prominence, being on the mainavenue leading south from the esplanade, and near the entrance to the BluffTract from Sherman Avenue. The building was well arranged, and under the ablesupervision of Mr. W.H. Sutherlin, Exposition vice-president for Montana. TheMontana building and exhibit, both of which reflected great credit on thestate, were made possible by the liberal donation of Mr. Marcus Dailey, whopledged the delegation that visited Montana to promote the exposition in thewinter of 1897, a donation of $15,000; the legislature afterwards appropriateda like amount, and the exhibits from that state and the building erected by theCommission were placed in charge of vice-president Sutherlin.The exercises dedicating the building to the uses for which it had beenerected, were held at 4 o'clock P.M., and while simple, were impressive. Theprogram consisted of a short address by Vice-president Sutherlin, severalmusical selections, and an address by President Gurdon W. Wattles, and wereconcluded by a luncheon served by the Montana Commission.