The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-07-06
ST. LOUIS.
Opening OF The Illinois ana St. Louis
Bridge.

OpeuinS VI tbe AtIihOis anu 81. LOuls
Bridge.
Sr. LOUIS, July 4.-The formal open
ing OF the Illinois and St. Louis bridge
WAS celebrated to-day with great pomp
and with a more snowy and finer dis
play than ever before witnessed in this
city. By 7 o'clock this morning all the
main thoroughiares Of the city were
crowded with citizens and strangers.
wedding their way 10 catch q view Of
the procession, and examine the elaborr
ate decorations along the line OF march.
The procession, which was divided into
sixteen divisions. and about II miles
long, started from 22i street and Wash
ington avenues at 81 O'Clock, and con.
tsired in it's ranks nearly al the mill
tarv, civic societies, and representatives
in wagons OF almost every trade, busi-
ness and industry in the city. Th.s
latter part OF the line was without pre-"
ce3eut in length, and elsborateness OF
display. Tne procession was five hours
passing the speakers stand at the
western entrance OF the bridge, aud all
O: i. passed over that structure, and
ounter.marched on the opposite side OF
the river. Hundreds OF Thousands OF
people thronged the streets. filled houses
and stores aud crowded the balconies
and roofs along the line OF march. The
crowd cannot be estimated In number,
and no such thropg was ever gathered
in the city before. When the head OF
the PROCESSION reached the bridge t
halted, and Gerard B. Allen, PresIdebt
OF the Bridge Company, rom beaut-
fully decorated stand, introduced Mrs.
julius L. Welsh, daughter OF Charles
K. Dickson, the first President OF the
Bridge Company, who, alter a brief
speech, chrisiened the bridge by pour,
ing upon it water from the Atlantic aud
Pacific oceans, Lake Michigan and To G
Cult Of Mexico, sent from Boston, San
Francisco, New Orleans and Chicago by
postmasters 10 those cities, Tor the oc-
casion. while the procession was In
motion lrain OF fourteen Pullman
coaches, drawn by three locomotives
and ladened with two thousand Proml-
nent ladies and gentlemen pGssed over
the bridge and through the eutlre leogth
OF the tunnel, emerging near the site ol
the Grand Union depot, now IN process
OF construction, on The line OF the
Atlantic Il Pacific railroad. About one
O clock the invited guests from abroad
and several hundred leading citizens
seated on an elevated platform erected
under huge tent at the westerd end oI
the bridge, was called to order, and
Mayor Brown delivered a briet welcom-
ing address, which was followed by
congratuIstory speeches by Governor
Be,cridge, OF Illinois, and by Gov
ernor Woodin, OF Missouri. These
were followed by addresses 10y Cx, Sen
ator B. Gralz Brown and Captain Jas
B. Esds, chlei engineer OF the bridge
company, Tbe.e ceremonies over,
speeches were made by
Governor Hendricks, OF lDdlana, and
L. S. Senator Ferry, of Michigan. All
the speeches were unusually eloquent
and referred in glowing terms OF praise
to Captain E,ds, his able assistants,
and all the gentlemen whose energy,
perseverance, and wealth have con-
trouted TO the great enterprise and
crowning triumph. The greatest en'
thusiasm prevailed, aud most hearty
cheers were repeatedly given in re-
sponse to the eloquent remarks OF the
speakers.
Among other distinguished persons
present were Major Generals Hancock
aud Pope, General Griereon, General
Carr, aud number OF Cougressmen
from Missouri and Illinois.