The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-02
OPENING O THE BIG FAIR.
Tie Crowd Present Estimated at
i75,00O.

Many WOnen Faint and Fatal
Panic Nafowly Averted-President
CIevelandTouohes the Electric But
ton That SITS the Machinery in Mo
tior-The hrade ana the Presidents
Speech.
Chicago, My 1-Groyer Cleveland,
President of the United States, sur
rounded by tlb members Of his cabinet,
bv high oficids of the various states, by
numerous and distinguished representa-
tives from lands across the seas and by a
mighty throng of American citizens, to-
day pressed tie electric button which set
in motion the niles of shafting, innumer-
able engines and mechanism and q lab
yrinth of belti1g and gearing which make
up the machinery Of the worlds Colum-
bian exposition. AT the same moment the
national salute lealed forth from the guns
of the 0revenue cutter Andrew Johnson,
lying off the exposition grounds in Lake
Michigan; ZOO figs, released from their
stops" at q concerted signal, swung
loose and streamed out under the sky in
scarlet, yellow ana blue; over in Machin-
cry hall great rear arose and the tur-
rets of the building nodded as the wheels
began to turn, and D greater volume of
sound arose from the throats of the con-
course of people, who thus acclaimed the
opening of the grandest achievement of
American pluck, enterprise and gener-
osity.
UNPLEASANT WEATHER.
Nearly all night there had been o con-
tinuOus soaking drizzle that caused the
spirits of the worlds fair officials to sink
to the zero point. The rain continued
until Z Oclock, when the clouds parted,
and through d rift far over the lake there
was CLEAN of cold sunshine. 1t lasted
only for a moment, however, and al
though the rain ceased, the clouds still
hung solemn and lowering over the city,
the winds blew family from the east,
tapping the banners and other decOra-
tiOns in dismal fashion, and except on the
asphalt boulevards the mud lay thick and
deep. All this, however, had no effect
upon the enthusiasm of the energetic
citizens who had determined to witness
the opening of the fair.
Before the first faint streaks of light in
tae eastern sky heralded the approach of
dawn the downtown streets were astir.
As the morning wore on the throng in
creased. Excursion trains from nearby
points and the regular suburban trains on
the various roads brought thousands,
who added TO the crowds from other
sources 1t was a state and civic holiday,
too, and all the employees in the public
buildings, freed from their desks, joined
the current, which set toward jackson
park, accompanied by the throngs re-
leased from the mercantile establish
ments many of which gave thoir employees
n day Off TO 1oln IN the exercises. Nine
II IL
transportation tested to its full capacity,
and, in most cases, beyond it.
THE CITY DESERTED.
AS 10 o'clock, the hour for opening the
exercises, drew near the rush reached its
hight, subsiding as II o'clock was
reached. The Jam at the railroad depots
became less thick; the cable cars moved
along only comfortably filled; the boats
carried off smaller loads of passengers,
pedestrians became fewer and fewer,
and by noon the downtown streets were,
II anything, clearer than on ordinary
days when no worlds fair is being
opened. BY S:30 o'clock the distin-
gulshed people who were to accompany
the President in procession to jackson
park had gathered at the Presidents
quarters at the Lexington. The first to
arrive was the. Duke Of Veragua and his
attendants. While the Manipulating
was m progress Vice President Stevenson
and his party put in an appearance. On
their heels, literally taking the hotel by
storm, came the members of the national
commission and the fair directors, who
We're to act as hosts and escorts to the
distinguished guests on this memorable
day.
THE PROCESSION.
Promptly at O'Clock the procession
afNA A . 3,
way and mounted on handsome chargers,
was platoon of gray coated South park
ponce. Behind them came detachment
OF Uhe city police on horseback, fifty of
Them, and five abreast. Next in line was
company of the Seventh United
SSJates cavalry, under command of Capt.
Z. "A Narnum, and Company X of the
seventh United States cavalry, under
command Of Capt. L. K. Hare Next fol-
lowed the Chicago Hussars, headed by
Capt. e. l.. Brand and Adit Thomas
.. Quincy. They appeared for the first
tllne IN their Amoricanized Russian uni
!Otln. There were six score of
tLIeIi, mounted on magnificent
o!ack chargers, and every man
giant Twenty tIumpeters horalded
Ihe approach of the Hussars and bringing
up the rear of the military division was
mounted Troop A of the Illinois National
Guards. A procession of carriages was
Lou Lou oy vehicle containing National Com
mlsssioners p. A. 3. Widener of Pennsyl-
ydhla and Bradley B. Smalley of Yer
mont, with Directors Thomas B. Bryan
ana a. James w. Ellsworth for company. In
Sle second carriage were Commissioners
GSorton w. Allen and George II. Barbour,
B3FTGctors - Charles Honrotin and William
D. d. herIoot Next to them rode Commits
995yohers Groner and Hodges, Directors
AnSettcham and Lawrence. The fourth and
IIIh carriages were also jointly occupied
uy commissioners and local directors,
mHIe IN the sixth the director general
an9 director of works, George r. Davis
%lV1 D. II. Burnham, rode vis-a-vis.
CLEVELAND IN LINE.
., IL was the seventh carriage. however
ot mat brought out the enthusiasm of the
oulookers. In it, his face toward the
Sc9u,h, sat the President Of the United
SG.dtt5, and on the opposite seat, Presi-
Ityut L. w. Palmer of the worlds Colum-
bInn bbl4n commission, and II. NJ Higin-
e;,. o;ot.nam OF the worlds Columbian expo
',GIl99h. SlGtl9h. Vice President Stevenson rode
Gl1h the two worlds fair ex-presidents
SSecretary Gresham rode with National
ColHmlssioner Davidson b. Penn: SeCre-
iLaalg carlisle, with the dignihed, judicial
,D.ohlng George " Massey of Della
ore: Secretary Herbert, with
SSn4ries II Schwab; Secretary Hoke
,,,,.n' co,,.' with the ilrebrand of the national