Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-05-04

Chicago, May 1.-The electric age was
ushered into being in this last decade of
the nineteenth century today when
President Cleveland, by pressing but
rushing waters and revolving wheels
in the worlds Columbian exposition
No exhibit Of the fair is to attract
thousands to this city for the next six
months can be more marvellous than
the magical effect following the sol
emn opening of the fair today.
Of the humber of visitors some es-
innate the number as high as 100000
probably not one fully realized the full
import of the effect that was to come
from the arrangement cleYerly de-
vised, in the opening of the exposition.
1t was known in a vague way that the
president was to press a golden key
and the electric communication with
the machinery was to start the fair, but
no one realized how intricate was this
machinery, Low infina he ramiticat MS
of that electric spark, until the great
fountains threw up their g ysers seventy
feet into the air and the rumble and
hum of wheels in the manufacturing
building and the clatter of machinery in
all parts of that area of a square mile
or more told the story of the final con-
summation of scientific thought.
The HfeIess was started into being
on every hand, draped statuary shed its
vail and revealed to the world the ar
tistc labOrs of the past eighteen
months, and in a moment all that had
been apathy, inert and inactive through
the long hours Of the morning sprang
INTO animated eXistance and thrilled a
multitude and crowned the triumph
Of the exposition.
In previous expositions the posi-
billties of electricity had been limited
to the mere starting of engines in ma
chinery hall, but in this it made thOuS-
ands of servants do it's bidding and
from the great Corliss engine, and the
mammoth foundations down to the mi
nutest acts where power and touch
were requisite, the magic of electric
ity did the duty of the hour.
In the great circle of events which
today makes Chicago festal city the
first point of interest centered at the
Auditorium hotel, where large num-
bers gathered for a glimpse of Colunl-
bus defendant the duke of Veragua
who with members of his family and
committees of prominent officials, na-
ional, state and municipal, took car
riages about 8 o'clock and under a mil
itary escort drove to the Lexington
hotel at Michigan avenue and Twenti-
eth street, at which place were Presi-
dent Cleveland and members Of his
cabinet and from which point the pro-
cessiOn to the park was to start
The ducal party was arrayed in
all the glories of Spanish court cos
tune, brilliant in colors, rich with gold
lace and bright with decorations of
orders Of nobility, with swords, knee
breeches, silk stockings and trappings
of the Spanish court. The assembled
multitude set up a shout as the party
appeared and entered carriages and
drove rapidly to the Lexington hotel.
Meantime the city at large seemed
going in body to the White city by
the lake. Nine big steamers from ear
ly morning We're plying loaded to the
fair grounds Every cable car was
thronged to the tail board, elevated cars
groaned with humanity. steam cars
reaped Il harvest, and the great Michi-
gan boulevard was thronged with pri-
vate carriges and conveyances of all
sorts.
Soon after President Cleveland and
his associates appeared at the entrance
to the Lexington hotel and were con-
Quoted to carriages. When all was in
readiness the procession moved in the
following order:
Platoon mounted police; two com
panies United States cavalry; Chicago
hussars; troop OF Illinois national
guards; Worlds fair officials occupied
the first six carriages; in the seventh
were President Cleveland and chairman
of the Columbian commission and pres
dent of the Worlds Columbian expo
sition.
Then came five carriages containing
the presidents cabinet and fair of
icials, then the Duke Of Veragua and |
party in five carriages, followed by /
Thomas F. Bayard, ambassador to |
Great Britain, Mali. Gen. SchOfield Ad-
niral Gherardi, Gov. Altgald and May I
IL Harrison bringing up the rear.
Down Michigan avenue, cheered by
who lined the curb, clatter
ID and rumbled the cavalcade. 1t turned
nto Grand boulevard at Sixth street
md into Washington park at Fifty
irst street. From the park it went into
Midway plaisance, now a medley of
Ill nations, and from it into the great
White city and to the administration
building. where the ceremonies of the
lay took place. Passing through the
building the notables came out upon
he platform at the east side, looking
ut on the grand plaza and court of
lOnOr
The plaza was black with people, the
Whole scene forming one Of the most
emark a hIo and enchanting in history