D I R E C T O R S,

After June 1st, 1898.



Meeting June 24th, 1898.  27 Directors present.  
Mr. Manderson offered the following resolution, which were unanimously adopted.

The Directors of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, in parting
with the professional services of the Architects-in-Chief of the Exposition,
their great work being now accomplished, desire to express their unbounded
satisfaction with the result and their unqualified approval of the methods that
have been pursued.  The World has not seen a more perfect aggregation of
buildings than those that constitute the Exposition proper and the able
Architects who designed them, are entitled to the enthusiastic praise that
comes to them from all who view them.  Much credit is due to all, and, with no
desire to be invidious, the Board desires particularly to commend the ability,
skill and devotion of the Architects-in Chief, Messrs Walker & Kimball of
Omaha.  On behalf, not only of the Exposition, but of the Trans-Mississippi
country, we extend to them our congratulations and hearty thanks.

We recognize also the skill and ability of Mr. Rudolph Ulrich, Landscape Artist
and of Mr. Luther Steiringer, Electrician and Mr. Henry B. Rustin, his
Assistant, and thank these gentlemen for the magnificent results we have found,
in which they have been prime factors.

Resolved, That copies hereof be sent to the gentlemen named and be published in
the Press."


Meeting July 21st, 1898.  30 Directors present.  
Certain disquieting reports of irregularities, mismanagement and misdoings in
various branches of the Exposition, and grave charges affecting the character,
reputation and conduct of persons employed by the Exposition had been
circulating for some time, and the need for a thorough investigation of all of
the books, records and papers of the Exposition had been editorially urged in
the Omaha Bee.  And the Directors considered that, in justice to all parties,
and especially to those under accusation it would be wise to provide for an
investigation and audit of all affairs, and therefore, the following resolution
was presented and adopted:

"Resolved, That a Board of Revision, audit and investigation is hereby created,
consisting of five members of this Board, exclusive of the Executive Officers
and the Executive Committee, who are hereby empowered and directed to make a
thorough examination of the books, papers and records of all departments,
without interfering with their active operation, and that said Board is hereby
authorized to employ one or more expert accountants of clerks and stenographer
and that the officers and employees of the Exposition shall, upon request,
furnish all information called for by said Board.  And that said Board shall
make report from time to time, of its findings and conclusions to the full
Board of Directors.

Resolved, That the duties of the Board of Revision, Audit and Investigation, be
and hereby are defined as follows:  First,- To audit the books and accounts of
the corporation to ascertain what, if any, errors exist in said books and
accounts.  Second,- on presentation of written charges involving the honesty or
charging corruption against any officer, director, or employee of this
corporation, they shall investigate such charges and report their findings in
all cases to the Board of Directors for final action by the said Board.  It
shall not be the duty of this Board to investigate the transactions of officers
or employees of this Exposition wherein only questions of the rights of the
respective parties are involved, and where no dishonesty or misappropriation is
charged."

An election following, Directors, Kilpatrick, Wharton, Price, Lyman and Payne
were elected as members of said Board of Revision, Audit and Investigation. 
(See their report, end of this Chapter at Meeting of Directors June 30th, 1902.

Meeting August 22nd, 1898.  27 Directors present.
Mr. President Wattles had suggested that the War of the United States with
Spain being now happily ended, it would be of advantage to arrange for and
hold, a great Peace Jubilee in celebration of such fact.  The executive
Committee had expressed favor for the proposal and at this meeting Mr. Webster
prepared and offered resolutions on the subject, briefly as follows:

"Resolved, That the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition hold a Peace
Jubilee under its auspices on the Exposition Grounds at Omaha, from the tenth
day to the fifteenth day of October 1898, to celebrate the victories of the
Army and Navy in the war between the United States and Spain and the terms of
the proposed peace in the protocol between the two nations, entered into by
approval of the National Administration.  And Be it Further,

Resolved, That the President of the Trans-Mississippi and International
Exposition, Gurdon W. Wattles, be and is hereby authorized and requested,
either by direct communication or by the instrumentality of such persons or
committees as he may see proper to call to his assistance, extend a formal
invitation to be present and participate in such "Peace Jubilee" the following
persons and officials"

To His Excellency, Wm. McKinley, President of the United States and the Members
of his Cabinet.
To the Members of the Supreme Court of the United States.
To the Judges of the United States Circuit Court and District Courts.
To the Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives.
To the Ambassadors and Ministers of Foreign Countries, resident in the United
States.
To the Governors of the various States and Territories of the United States
with their Official Staffs and other state Officers.
To the Officers of the United States Army and Navy and other Distinguished
Citizens.
To the President of the Republic of Mexico and his official family.
To the Governor-General and other officials of the Dominion of Canada.

Be it Further Resolved, That the arrangement of the details of the Peace
Jubilee proceed with all convenient speed as may be ordered and directed."

The resolutions were adopted unanimously and was the basis upon which was
builded the great "Peace Jubilee" held so successfully and which reflected so
much credit upon all concerned in its management and conduct and marked an
Epoch in the history of our County.



Meeting October 7th, 1898.  Quorum present.
The Exposition period now drawing toward its  close, it was urged by some that
the period be extended into November, thus allowing opportunity for many to
visit the Exposition who could not arrange to come by November 1st prox.  After
discussion, action resulted in the adoption of the following resolution

"Resolved, That the Executive Committee are directed to invite proposals to be
opened in November 15th next, for the purchase of the buildings and materials
belonging to the Exposition, as a whole or in such proportions as they may be
required, subject to the conditions of contracts for lands used by the
Exposition.  And it is ordered that the Exposition close its doors November 1st
next, and proceed to the liquidation and settlement of its affairs."

Mr. Manderson offered the following:

"In view of the historical value of every incident connected with the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition and the importance of preserving
in a safe public depository all material connected with its inception, its
progress, its development and its triumphant success, it is Resolved,
That the President and Secretary of the Exposition are hereby directed to
obtain by purchase or otherwise, one at least of every medal, souvenir,
program, photograph, illustration, magazine or newspaper article, and all other
matters and things connected with its history, that can be procured.
Resolved, That all such material when gathered, shall be placed in suitable
cases or receptacles in the building of the Omaha City Library, Provided that
said Library shall agree to furnish suitable places therefor and give due care
to the preservation of the same.  It is further,
Resolved, That the President shall appoint from the Directors of the Exposition
a Committee of three to constitute and be called, "The Historical Committee." 
Such Committee shall be authorized and empowered to employ a suitable person as
Historian who shall at once proceed with the gathering of the material and
information for a complete history of the Exposition and prepare the manuscript
and select the illustrations and plates therefor.  Such manuscript and material
to be ready for the printer by June 1st 1899.  It is Further,
Resolved, That the sum of $10,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary,
shall be appropriated for such purpose.  The sums needed to be expended under
the direction of the Historical Committee, upon vouchers approved by a majority
of them and countersigned by the President of the Exposition.  The said
Committee shall serve without compensation or emolument but are authorized to
employ a stenographer, at not exceeding $75.00 per month.
The material prepared for publication shall be approved before printing by the
said committee, who shall also direct the form of the book to be published, and
provide for its binding.  One copy of said book shall be furnished to Omaha
Public Library, to the University of Nebraska, to the Omaha High School
Library, to Creighton College, to each state library of the Trans-Mississippi
States and to each one of the Directors of the Exposition.
All other of said publications shall be sold at not exceeding the cost of
printing and binding and ten per cent additional.  The fund resulting from such
sales to be paid to the treasurer of the Exposition.

On motion Resolution was adopted with but one dissenting vote.

Messrs Manderson, Lyman and Carpenter were appointed as such committee.



Meeting, November 4th, 1898.  Quorum present.
This meeting resulted in adoption of the following resolutions.

"Resolved, That the Secretary at once draw a voucher on Herman Kountz,
Treasurer for $225,000.00 payable to Frank Murphy as trustee for the holders of
certificates to stock and that said Frank Murphy, as trustee, pay to holders
presenting certificates of stock record at this date, the sum of 75% on the par
value of said stock so presented to him."

"Resolved, That so far as the collection of stock subscriptions is concerned,
that the books be closed on November 4th, at six o'clock p.m., and that no more
money be received from subscribers, and that all suits for the collection of
same be dismissed without prejudice."

Meeting November 11th, 1898.  31 Directors present.
Contentions having arisen as to just what constituted a stockholder and it
being deemed wise to more clearly state the privileges extended to subscribers
for stock, the following resolution was presented and adopted.

"Resolved, That all stock subscribers who have paid a part of their stock
subscription, may pay the balance thereof before December 1st next, plus costs
where suits have been begun, and thereupon certificate shall issue to them and
75% shall be paid thereon by Trustee Murphy, and a sufficient sum therefor
shall be placed with him, and on the date named all monies that have been
received from party paid subscribers shall be forfeited to the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition.  All subscriptions upon which
nothing has been paid are hereby declared to be without further consideration
and said subscriptions shall be held for naught.
That the President publish a notice in the daily papers, over his official
signature, giving notice to subscribers to the Exposition who have paid but a
part of their subscriptions, of the above action."



Meeting November 16th, 1898.  28 Directors present.
The Executive Committee reported the proposals received for the buildings and
other property of the Exposition, and after consideration of them, it was
ordered by a roll-call vote, Ayes 16 Nays 12, that the proposal of Peter E.
Iler, et al. to pay $17,500.00 for all of said property and materials, be
accepted subject to conditions as follows.

Sale to include only such interest as the Exposition owns in the property at
this date, and does not include the books, papers, bills and claims or cash of
the corporation.

Sale to be consummated, purchase money paid and possession given on or before,
November 21st next.  Purchasers shall procure releases to this corporation from
the principal property owners to restore to them their real estate, and
provided that a good and sufficient bond shall be given by the purchasers on
date of transfer, to perform their several agreements.  Should Peter E. Iler et
al, fail to complete the transaction by said November 21st, then the Executive
Committee shall sell the buildings, materials, and appurtenances to the highest
bidders on the proposals heretofore received."

The sale was duly consummated on November 21st, 1898, the money paid, and the
properties delivered over to the purchasers and a conclusion was reached by the
Exposition so far as the physical properties were concerned.

Referring to resolutions adopted October 7th, provided for the appointment of
an Historical Committee.  The Committee had proceeded with their work and had
assembled a large amount of exhibits, souvenirs, mementos, etc. for
preservation, but were stopped from proceeding further by a restraining order,
secured from the District Court at the instance of Edward Rosewater, he making
the claim that as Manager of the Department of Publicity and Promotion, the
duty of editing and supervising the production of a history of the Exposition
was one that peculiarly and properly belonged to him.

The restraining order of the court was based upon the claim that, as the
Articles of Incorporation did not specifically grant the authority to publish a
history, that therefore the Directors had no authority to use the money of the
stockholders to aid in such publication, even though as contemplated, the
temporary use of the funds was all that was needful, the sales being expected
to fully re-imburse the monies advanced.

At this meeting the situation was discussed with much feeling, and as a result,
action settled into the simple adoption of the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the Executive Committee are hereby directed to resist and
defend injunction proceeding of the said Edward Rosewater vs. the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition and are authorized by the
employment of counsel and the taking of all needed proofs to carry on such
defense that the order and wish of the Board of Directors as heretofore
expressed, may obtain."

The defense was made as directed but the temporary restraining order was made
permanent, and hence no result as ordered and desired could follow, except that
the valuable souvenirs thus far collected were assembled, and by arrangement
with the Public Library Board were all deposited in a Musee room in the Public
City Library, for view, where they yet remain, with the Fine Art Paintings
purchased by the Exposition and donated to the Public Library for public use
and benefit.



Meeting April 7th, 1898.  Quorum present.
The following was adopted.

"Resolved, That a 12-1/2% distribution of assets be ordered to paid up
stockholders.  Payable April 10."



Meeting June 30th, 1902.  25 Directors present.
This meeting had been called by the President on authority of the Executive
Committee, to close up the affairs of the Exposition, by receipt of final
reports, etc. and disposal of the balance of funds on hand.  The meeting was
held at the Omaha Club, and after a splendid banquet had been enjoyed, the
business of the meeting proceeded.  There were also present as guests of the
Director, Architect-in-Chief Thos. R. Kimball.  Supt. of Light & Power Henry
Rustin and, as representatives of the Press, Mr. Victor Rosewater of the Omaha
Bee and E. C. Hunt of the World Herald.

The committee appointed July 21st, 1898 as a board of Revision, Audit and
Investigation, now submitted their report, which was as follows:

"Omaha, Neb. October 8th, 1900.
Mr. G. W. Wattles,
President of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition.

Dear Sir:

I send you on behalf of the Auditing Committee what may be considered its final
report.  The same consists of three papers marked respectively "A", "B" and "C"
and fifty-two other reports numbered from one to fifty-two inclusive.
I also enclose you a statement, somewhat in the form of an index showing what
these fifty-five papers refer to. 
These papers were submitted to Mr. J. C. Wharton and C. W. Lyman, G. H. Payne
and E. C. Price, the other members of the committee.  you will notice that Mr.
Lyman in a letter, which I enclose, calls attention to reports forty-five,
forty-six and forty-nine; and I may say that these reports contain about all
that is if any special importance in our report.  It is the unanimous opinion
of the committee that even these show only clerical errors, and though all the
work appears in the name of Mr. John A. Wakefield, it is well known to the
committee that these errors happened without his knowledge, as his time was
more than occupied with other important duties in connection with the
Exposition.  It is also known to the Auditing Committee that a desire for
economy on the part of the Executive Committee led them to apportion work to
Mr. Wakefield which properly belonged to a separate department, and which
should have, from the beginning, been under the management of a competent
auditor.
It will be remembered by the Board of Directors that there were vague reports
as to loose management and perhaps fraud in connection with the several
departments of the Exposition, and it was for that reason that the auditing
committee was appointed.
VINDICATION OF MANAGEMENT.
It therefore affords me great pleasure to say upon behalf of the auditing
committee that after a most thorough and painstaking investigation, both by the
committee itself and by its paid agent, Mr. W. S. Streeter, we failed to find
any fraud or mismanagement in any of the departments; and we are satisfied that
the success and honest management of the enterprise on the part of
subordinates, were due to the close attention, business ability and integrity
of the president, the secretary and the executive committee.
It seems to the auditing committee like presumption to even mention the
president and executive committee in this report, but inasmuch as the duties of
the committee covered an investigation of all connected with the management of
the Exposition, we feel it to be a duty, as well as a pleasure, to say that we
know them to have performed their various and arduous duties, constantly with a
view to the best interests of the Exposition and with absolute integrity.

On behalf of the auditing committee,

Thomas Kirkpatrick,
Chairman."

On motion, approved and ordered spread upon the records.

Director Wharton moved that a committee of three (3) be appointed by the
secretary, and of which the secretary shall be chairman, to select and secure a
proper and suitable gold medals, to be presented to the President and each of
the Executive Committee in token of high regard of the Board of Directors for
their honorable and self-sacrificing services to the Exposition.  Motion
carried unanimously.

Mr. Lindsey, chairman, made a report for the Executive Committee, as follows:

"The Executive Committee beg leave to report that all lawful claims against the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition have been fully paid, and that
there remains on hand the sum of about $2,000.00.

The committee believing it impracticable to disburse this balance among the
large number of its shareholders, and recognizing the efficient services of Mr.
John A. Wakefield, Secretary of the Exposition, hereby recommends that this
balance be paid to the Secretary, as additional compensation for his services
in the past and in full for his work in the compilation of a statement of the
affairs of the Exposition, including a recital of the inception, organization,
operation management and results of the Exposition. which statement shall be
submitted by him to a committee consisting of Chas. F. Manderson, Chairman,
Isaac W. Carpenter, Chas. W. Lyman, Carroll S. Montgomery, and Edward
Rosewater, to be revised and approved by them, and afterwards filed in the
Public Library of the City of Omaha, or published by private subscription, or
by any corporation, firm, or individual, having first obtained the consent and
approval of the above named committee.  Said publication to be without expense
or liability to this corporation."

On motion, report and recommendations were unanimously adopted.

Mr. Montgomery, General Counsel, then offered the following:

"Resolved, That all the acts and proceedings of the Executive Committee, and of
the officers of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, from the
commencement of the corporation to this date, as shown by the records of the
corporation, are hereby approved and ratified."

On motion, resolution was adopted.

Mr. Montgomery as General Counsel, also offered the following, which was, on
motion, unanimously adopted.

"Whereas, all lawful claims and demand, and obligations of the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition have been paid and all of the
funds and property of said corporation have been disposed of and properly
distributed and disbursed, and the objects for which said corporation was
organized have been fully consummated and performed.  Now, Therefore, Resolved,
That the said corporation be dissolved and that further business by or in the
name of the corporation be discontinued."

There were held in all sixty-four (64) meetings of the Board of Directors, 37
prior to the opening of the Exposition and 27 thereafter.  Director John A.
Johnson takes credit for attendance at every one of these meetings, with
Director Thomas Kilpatrick a close second, he having been absent but one
meeting.


WAYS AND MEANS DEPARTMENT

Zachary T. Lindsey, Manager


Willliam F. Holmes, Cashier

Roy Bousinot, Asst. Cashier

Robert A. Findley, Auditor

Wm. M. Carson, General Bookkeeper
V. S. Burley, Special Bookkeeper
Wm. Hearle, Special Bookkeeper
Wm. M. Byrne, Collector
D. G. Rhoads, Collector
Miss Nannie McGough, Stenographer
Miss Emma Quick, Stenographer
Solomon Yoder, Messenger
Herman Lehmer, Messenger

The ways and means part of any organization or enterprise, is always one of the
most important and one to which most careful thought and attention is
absolutely necessary.  It is doubly important in any project of semi-public
character, and more particularly so in an enterprise such as the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was to Omaha and its citizens. 
The success or failure of any enterprise is very largely dependent upon the
Ways and Means Department, and while success does not always bring a shower of
credit to those to whom it is due, yet certain it is that failure always brings
condemnation and opprobrium upon, not only those to whom it may be justly due
but upon all who had to do with its government and management.