Without going into details of the many enterprises that he was identified with, which represent some of the finest improvements in Seattle, I will close my autobiographical sketch of Mr. Chilberg, by calling attention to the successful way that he managed the affairs of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, as President of that successful Fair, and all Scandinavians residing in this wonderful part of the United States, can feel justifiably proud of the fact that it was a descendant of their race who had so much to do with the wonderful improvements that have been evidence in Seattle during the past ten years, and it is indeed a pleasure for me to place his picture at this day and date along with those of other prominent Scandinavians.
One of the most wonderful changes in Seattle is the gigantic regrade work, which in a short time will so change the topography of the city, that residents who left the city ten years ago, would on their return, have hard work in locating old land marks. I understand that to take the United States as a whole, this city is one of the best advertised cities west of Chicago, and one cannot visit any other city without being made aware that the majority of the people know all about Seattle. Of course these reports must be of recent date, as the "Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition" was the real advertising factor, as it certainly was the most grandly arranged, and most successful fair that it has ever been my privilege to see.
As I look through this book, written so many years ago, I am made aware of the old time citizens who have been called Home, yet feel that all who have not had opportunity to read the early history of the Scandinavians in this part of the country, will derive a great deal of pleasure in being able to refresh their memories, and to those Scandinavians who have recently settled in this part of the country, the book will no doubt be the means of many re-unions of friendship formed in other parts of the world.
In concluding this short sketch, permit me to add "Greetings from Puget Sound," a poem which I wrote some months ago, and which was published on a post card, and copyrighted by The Scenic Library Company.
THOS. OSTENSON STINE.
GREETINGS FROM PUGET SOUND.
Land and sea united greet us,
Greeting all in words sublime;
And with magic touches lift us,