Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-10-12
L'ExPOsITION.
Urana Opening Last NIght.


Grsnd Opening Last Night.
K Last evening the Memphis Exposition
was formally opened to the public. the
occasion being one Of general rejoic-
ing and congratulations. ~ Fully twenty
thousand people visited the building
during the evening, and the one senti-
ment was expressed by all, that it was
. complete success. Everybody was
pleased with the building and rejoiced
in its existence, and even those old
croakers, who being too close-fsted to
contribute anything to its erection. and
endeavored to excuse their stinginess
by covert sneers and predictions of fail
ure, even they were forced to ackpowl-
edge the triumph Of energy and enter
prise and public spirit on the part of
the few. 1t would be impossible in our
limited space to give complete descrip-
ton of the building, and almost unnec,
essary Tor our city readers, for nearly
all of them have seen it.
The hall was brilliantly lighted with
sixteen hundred gas jets, and brass
band discoursed some excellent music.
And just here word with reference to
the gas. That the center lights did not
burn well at the opening Of the Exposi-
ton was not owing to lack Of pressure
or short supply of gas, but was occa-
stoned by an obstruction in the shape of
a valve partly shut of, which. to the de-
light Of all concerned, was discovered by
one VI the mechanics after the crowd
had dispersed. The gas company has
three meters in the building ready for
service only two of which were in use
last night. s,f
'ra Zoo THE DEDICATION.
AT eight o'clock, President T. A. Mel
sou and the Board Of Directors, accom-
panied by the orators Of the evening
Colonel McRae and General Gantt--took
possession of the speakers stand at the
jefferson street end Of the building, and
called the vast assemblage to order.
Rev. Dr. White then delivered the open
ing prayer, after which Colonel Nelson,
as President of the Exposition, delivered
an appropriate address. He was fol-
lowed by Colonel McRae and General
CAN'T, each delivering lengthy address
appropriate to the occasion. After this
portion of the exercises had concluded,
Colonel A. P. Curry, on behalf of the
Board OF Directors and managers, in
vited number Of gentlemen, together
with the members of the press, into an
ante-room, where splendid collation. was
spread, to which all did ample justice.
Toasts were drank and responded to,
speeches we're made and congratula-
tions extended, and mutual admira-
ton society established on the spot.
Facts were developed with reference to
the liberality and public spirit OF GER
tain gentlemen connected with the Ex'
position, which, if made public, would
cover them with fadeless glory. The
President was toasted and eulogized
likewise the Secretary, Treasurer and
all the officers; then each member Of
the Board individually; likewise the
architect, contractor and builder. The
press came in for its share, during which
the whole party had good old Arkan-
sas Frolich. The wine was fast disap-
pearing, good humor prevailed through
out, and in the exhuberance of their
good nature they toasted and eulogized
every one present and good many who
we're absent. Colonel McRae furnished
the wit for the occasion, and Captain
George MelIersh the poetry. Mr.. Farris
made a few remarks, and so did Mr..
F. S. Davis, Amos Woodruff, J, j. Muir
ply, T. A. Nelson, Jacob Frohch, Carl
Gutherz, W. j. Mansford, James Roosa,
]. B. Cook, Mr.. Wiley w. r. Moore,
and every one else present except Col
A. P. Curry, who did the honors of the
evening, and who, in response to a call,
replied that he was not too full but too
busy for utterance. There was an admi-
,able display of wit and repartee. Every
body was excessively happy, and the
gentlemen to whom we are indebted ,or
the Memphis Exposition felt that they
had reason to be proud They certainly
haya