opriating the amount and providing for a commission
to direct its expenditure was passed by the next general assembly and
was signed by the governor April 17, 1901. The same bill was reenacted
in 1903 and was signed by the governor March 24, 1903. On the 28th of
May, 1901, Governor Dockery appointed as the board of commissioners:
M.T. Davis, of Springfield; F.J. Moss, of St. Joseph; B.H. Bonfey, of
Unionville; W.H. Marshall, of Morehouse; L.F. Parker, of St. Louis; D.P.
Stroup, of Norborne; N.H. Gentry, of Sedalia; J.O. Allison, of New
London, and H.C. McDougall, of Kansas City. Mr. McDougall resigned and
J.H. Hawthorne, of Kansas City, was appointed his successor. When the
law was reenacted in 1903 the board was reappointed. The board elected
M.T. Davis president, F.J. Moss vice-president, B.H. Bonfey secretary,
and W.H. Marshall treasurer. Later the ill health of Mr. Marshall caused
his temporary absence from the State, and J.H. Hawthorne succeeded him
as treasurer.

The Missouri State building was erected at a cost, including
furnishings, of $250,000. The keynotes of the Missouri building were
public comfort, culture, and social enjoyment. A golden dome surmounted
by an emblematic statue of "The Spirit of Missouri" crowned the
building. Over the main entrance was this inscription: "Embracing within
her confines all the elements of an empire devoted to all the arts and
sciences that advance civilization, Missouri, the central State of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, greets her sister States and welcomes the
world." Around the building were the names of great Missourians: Thomas
Hart Benton, Francis P. Blair, B. Gratz Brown, David R. Atchison, David
Barton, Meriwether Lewis, Edward Bates, Lewis F. Linn, Lewis V. Bogy,
Aylett H. Buckner, John S. Phelps, James S. Green. The building
contained rooms adapted for various purposes, two large halls in either
wing, a commodious auditorium or State hall, in which conventions were
held, a handsome rotunda with brilliant electric fountain, the suite of
Governor Dockery, men's parlors, women's parlors, press room, and
executive offices. On the second floor were rooms fittingly furnished.
The building was warmed by steam in cold weather and refrigerated by
cold air in warm weather. The approaches and elevations of the building
were adorned with statuary, heroic figures of Thomas Jefferson and
Napoleon Bonaparte being placed at the main entrance. In the west hall
were placed a co