The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-02
OPENING
of the Greatest Fair
Ever Held.
Bit Of Shining Metal Pressed BY
President CleyelanS's Hand
Sets tho Miles Of Machinery and
Shafting in Rapid Motion.
with shouts OF the Multitude. the cannon'r
Isoar and the steam whistles shrek,
the Hest and Greatest show on Earth
AIansiny swung wide is oates.

ClrcAao, May l.--Grover Cleveland,
president Of the United States, sur
rounded by members Of his cabinet, by
high officials Of the various states, by a
numerous and distinguished representa-
ton Of lands across the seas, and by a
mighty tlirong Of American citizens,
to-day pressed the electric button which
set IN motion the miles Of shafting, the
ipnnmerablc engines and mechanism
and the labyrinth Of betting and gear
ing which make mp the machinery Of
the Worlds Columbian exposition
AT the same moment a salute pealed
forth from the guns of the Andrew
johnson. lying off the exposition
grounds in Lake Michigan. Seven hum
drcd Gags released from their stops"
at concerted signal swung loose and
ont under the sky in scarlet, yellow and
blue. Over In machinery hall great
roar arose, and the tnrrets of the build
ing nodded as the wheels began to turn,
and L greater volume Of sound arose.
Nearly all night there had been a
continuous, soaking drizzle. that
caused the spirits OF the Worlds fair Of
ficials to sink To the zero point. The
rain continued until I o'clock, when
the clouds parted, and through q rift
far over the lake there was CLEAN Of
cold sunshine. It lasted only for mo-
ment. however. and although the rain
ceased, the clouds still hung sodden
and lowering over the city.
The wind blew family from the east
Tapping the banners and other dccorn-
tinns in dismal fashion, and except on
the asphalt bonlevards, the mud lay
thick and deep All this, however,
had no effect upon the enthusiasm Of
the energetic citizens who had de-
terinincd to witness the opening Of the
fair.
Before the first faint strealts of light
In the eastern sky heralded the APP
proach Of the dawn the down town
streets were astir. Crowds were hurry
ing from the railroad dcpots and north
and west sides and the cable lines were
discharging load after load Of passen
gers at the intersection Of Madison and
Lasalle and along Monroe street from
Dearborn To the lake. Carriages and
omnibnses began to hurry through the
south side avenues and pedestrians in
Vulnerable set their faces southwark in
the direction Of jackson park
Down at the Van Buren, street station
of the Illinois Central road the crowds
began TO gather early, and by daybreak
the approaches to the viaduct were
black with people. The Congress
street station Of the South Side Ele-
waited road was early besicged also, and
Il ft.04 Inc
five minutes left for the fair grounds,
there was continued jam on the stairs.
The steamboats,, too, carried of thou
sands Of people.
Excursion trains from nearby points
and the regular suburban trains on
the various roads brought thou-
sands. Nine O'Clock saw every avail
able means of transportation tasked TO
its fullest capacity. All sorts Of vehicles
were pressed into service, from car
riagcs with crests emblnzoned ON their
panels, down to the humble but ser
viceable express wagons.
Owing to the small part taken by the
military in the days ceremonies, there
was little marching and counter-march-
ing, and the streets were left free for
the great body of civilians There were
some delegations from other towns who
had brought brass bands with them.
and these blared and footed up and
down the principal thoroughfares, at
tracing small boys and idlers. Most
OF the excursions split up into small
parties as they reached the depots. and
the bands were left 70 shift for them
selves. IS 's3sY5ss1
AS 10 o'clock the hour for the open
ing exercises drew near the rush
reached it's height, subsiding shortly
after that.
From daylight Michigan avenue, that
grand gateway to the fair, the pride Of
the city, was alive with pedestrians
and vehicles of all descriptions.