Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-04-26
fhs Biggest Turnout Ever witnessed In
the Queen city-ons Hundred ThOpsand
People In and About tine Magnificent
BuiIdInRs,
Buildings,

hundred days and nights, will be held q
monster celebration In honor of the one
hundredth anniversary of the settlement
of the Ohio Valley and Central States,
have been formally accepted from the
contractors by the Exposition Commits
sioners and tremendously dedicated to
the ''big show" The occasion was one Of
the most interesting in the history of the
city. Everything passed off smoothly.
The day was auspicious, and it seemed
that all Of Cincinnati and her numerous
populous suburbs turned out to celebrate
the day and to manifest by their presence
their appreciation of the arduous labors
Of the Commissioners who have the af-
fair in charge.
The initial ceremonies occurred in the
Washington Park building, huge but
beautiful structure that covers the better
part Of ten acres Immediately east of the
famous Springer Music Hall The build
ing is in the shape of Greek cross, the
climbs" extending to the entrance gates
on three principal thoroughfares, Taste
full towers ornament the angles, and a
graceful and massive dome nearly two
hundred feet in height surmounts it.
When the long procession, consisting Of
a battalion of police, the local commits
sioners, the advisory board and honorary
commissioners from the States of Ohio
Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois,
Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania,
West Virginia and Missouri, the members
of the Chamber of Commerce, Board of
Trade and Mechanics Institute, preceded
by brass band, had with difficulty
made their way through the dense throng
of citizens and entered the magnificent
temple, the three thousand school child
rem that had been training for this occa-
sion lifted up their voices in grand an
them. The effect was truly eXhilirating,
the volume of sound being swollen by
the sweet strains of the wind and string
instruments and the voices of the vast as
semblage that joined in the chorus. A
prayer followed the singing, after which
brief addresses were made by the mayor
Of the city and the gentlemen selected to
transfer and accept the result of the
builders work
The canal building, the long structure
erected in the rear Of the Music Hall,
and which incloses the canal for q dis
tance of three squares, was dedicated in
like manner, the thousands Of people
crowding into the space until it was diff
ficult to turn around. At the conclusion
of the exercises here an adjournment
was made to the Music Hall, where con-
gratulatory remarks were made by a
number of speakers of distinction, among
the number being Gen. E. F. Noyes,
former United States minister to France,
and Gen. Samuel F. Hunt, ex-Lieutenant
Governor of Ohio, who is known all over
the country as the ''silver tongued
orator.
Great surprise was expressed by every
one at the immensity and completeness
of these buildings, as nine-tenths of those
present viewed them for the first time.
The canal building, which is to be
known as Machinery Hall, is ], 300 feet in
length and 100 feet wide. The canal
runs unobstructed through its center,
and on which gondolas from Venice will
be launched, the machinery display be-
ing on either side.
The Washington Park building will be
known as the Main Exhibition Hall, and
here, Immediately beneath the dome, will
be one Of the most attractive sights of
the entire exhibits. This will be the
''fairy fountain" duplicate of the work
of art and nature combined, originally
constructed for the Jubilee exhibition at
Liverpool, England, last year, and which
charmed every one who beheld 1t. A
basin has been constructed about
sixty feet in diameter, filled with living
water. The bottom of the basin will be
Of thick glass, beneath which strong
electric lights will be placed. By an in
genious contrivance colored reflectors
may be inserted at will, thus giving the
entire volume of water any hue desired.
Beside these two buildings, others of
lesser dimensions have been put up, one
of the.a contiguous to the park building,
in wn.ca the dynamos for lighting the
entire series of buildings will be placed.
One side OF this building is constructed
Of glass, through which visitors may
view the scene with no inconvenience to
themselves or the workmen. # s
Another building close by will contain
the Offices Of the commissioners and the
rooms OF the Press Club, where all
journalists from any place in the world
will be made welcome. The working
room Of the ''press gang'' will be located
in one of the towers on the principal
street
A portion of this building will also be
devoted to the purposes of restaurant,
where the hungry visitor may be regaled
while doing the show. And he will
need to be regaled, as the territory en-
braced under one connecting roof foots
up to about forty three acres The art, \
horticultural and other departments win
be located in the wings of the permanent
building. The main hall of Music Hall
will be devoted exclusively to spectacular,
theatrical, operatic and other kindred
performances, The stage of this hall Is
the largest in the world. It is capable
Of holding 1900 persons at one time. Na
exposition held in this country ever en-
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