Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-05-24

ccrcmOnlCh,
The fears that the weather was q
ing to interfere with tho carrying int
effect the adopted programme wei
soon dssipated, as all the indication
pointed to its triumphant success
Long before the time for the con
menccment of the opening ccremonit
the points of advantage were seized b
the carly and ambitious visitors, NAL
and female, many of them even takin
their positions on the platform seat
designed for the President pnd othe
dignitarics, only, however, to be dis
lodged in short time after
Within the shade of the great builc
ings, and around about the massiv
walls of Memorial Hall and rcachin
away in the distance on all sides, coul
be seen thousands of upturncd faces
and SO densely were they packed tha
they seemed to be almost one solid mas
-one vast living, moving body.
AN EXCITING SCENE.
The grand stand vas located on tn
south side of Memorial Hall, and ex
tended clear across lis face, with pro
Ijecting wings on each side, The in
vited guests and dignitaries OF this an,
other Nations were accorded seats here
and as they arrived the work of dis
possessing the "squatters began, a
well as clearing the avenue leading
from the Main Building to this plat
form. A large force of the Centennia
guards, assisted by the military, wer,
engaged in this work, and il was will
great difficulty that il was accomplish
ed. AS the crowd was forced back .
few feet on each side, ropes wcr,
stretched along and the struggling peo
pie without the required credentials
were pushed and hustled until suffi
cient space was cleared TO admit of fre,
locomotion to the grand stand. AS thil
was done, the routed free-born citizen,
looked around for other positions, ant
soon one was seen to raise himself, with
the aid of friend, TO the high stone
pedestal of one of the huge winged
bronze horses which stand in front Of
the hall. This individual then extended
helping hand to his friend, and he
too, stood above his fellows. A rush
was then made and both the pedestals
were soon filed, and not only that, but
one daring citizen sought and reached
the top of the horse, and, standing be
tween the wings of the fabled animal
waved his hat and was greeted with
cheers. Others then followed and the
poetic flight was rendered impossible
by the weight of vulgar worldly mat
ter which clogged the pinions OF Pega-
sus, The crowd took refuge upon the
tables and settees set apart for the re.
porters and other members Of the press,
and soon enough people were in that
section to represent all the papers in
the universe, and it was only by the
determined effort of Mr.. John Wana-
maker aud other good citizens that
these persons were removed and the
scribes allowed olbow-room to do their
work. AS il was, each table and seat
was seized upon by some one who pos
sessed "press ticket" whether by
right or not, and each worker had to
serve as door-mat for the fellows who
stood at intervals upon the said furni-
ture when anything fparticular inter
est was going on. At one time the
pushing in the crowd was exciting and
dangerous, and one man was carried
out in fainting condition, and another
who was foolish enough to bring a
small child with him had to hold the
little one above his head to prevent its
being crushed. II would take pages
TO give an account of all the scenes
and incidents Of this great occasion !;
suffice II to say that every point on the
grounds and structures was occupied,
and even the ornamented pinnacle of
the Main Building had their occupants.
RECEPTION OF THE GUESTS.
As the great men of all Nations
European and Oricntal-from all the
great powers of the globe, filed up the
broad but crowded passage-way from
the hall of the Main Building to the
stand before Memorial Hall, they were
greeted with great shouts To all
from the Chinese mandarin and the
Turk, to our own great men--civil and
military-tbe voice of the people went
out and rent the heavens with cheers.
So continuous and SO steady was the
flow Of invited guests TO the grand
stand, one wondered where they found
space on the platform TO accommodate
them all but in time all were arranged,
and as the time for the beginning Of the
arrived, all appeared to be
in readiness and comparatively quiet.
THE CEREMONIES.
As the great orchestra, composed of
$50 performers, under the baton of
Mr.. Theodore Thomas, which was
located over the north entrance to the
Main Building, broke forth on the first
mellow strains of the Washington
March" the crowd settled in its demon
strations, and as the National air fol
lowed, good order prevailed, broken
occasionally with q burst of applause,
rs some patriotic or familiar tune was
Nhlic the music hllcd the AR, the
arrival of distinguished individuals con-
Linued, and shortly the crowd broke
orth in burst Of applause, and il soon
became apparent that some one of more |
than ordinary Importance had arrived. |
'c''vu"uVu = ,,.. oy i'on,y u,esscu co'erle
)f military officers and ladies', Emperor
Dom Pedro and the Emnress of Brazil |
quietly strobe up the path. The form.
,r, with majestic air, but plainly dressed,
with silvcring beard and hair, and in.
leligent face, was the observed of all
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