Passaic City record., 1893-10-14
CHICAG0'S BIG DAY.
Paid Attendance at the Worlds Fair
Breaks all Records.


Seven hundred and eighteen thousand two
hundred andtwenty people-the great
est crowd that ever congregated in America
visited the Worlds Fair on Chicago Day.
This breaks the greatest one-day record at
Paris with many thousands to spare; COM
pletely smothers the ssbig day figures of any
other exposition ever held, and establishes a
mark which, it is safe to predict, the present
generation will never again see attained. To
this end glorious October weather contribut-
ed.
When the gates opened at $50 o'clock
fully 1000 people besieged each passage,
eager for admission. From that hour until
late in the afternoon there was a constant
jam at every gate, The Department of Ad-
missions had an extra force on duty, and
every turnstfle was kept registering at
the highest speed. Yet these facili-
ties were inadequate, and at o'clock
Superintendent Tucker ordered every wagon
gate opened and stationed a corps of men at
each to take tickets. When the wagon gates
weye closed at o'clock 500, 900 people had
been admitted, and 181 900 more were added
in the next three hours. At midnight q con-
servatiye estimate place the attendance for
the day at 700. 900.
The total number OF paid admissions since
the opening of the Fair is 16, 492, ,070 The
greatest day at Paris was 397, $50 and at
Philadelphia PIT ,526.
Every Exposition building, great and
small was decorated, but the Illinois Build
ing was the most gorgeous OF all. The dome
was covered with flags and streamers, and
the walls, wings and roofs were brilliant
with colors of all nations. In the west en-
trance the name "Chicago" burned in cleo
trio lights tn the night.
The exercises began with the introduction
of two Indian chiefs at 9 O'Clock.
The old Pottawatomie Chief, Simon Polka
gon, whose father decided the land upon
which Chicago is built had come from his
home in Hartford, Mich He stood beside
the Columbian bell with uncovered head In
the dress Of the white man.
By his side stood more picturesque
figure. His dress consisted Of a heavy and
varied coat of paint on his face, body and
limbs, q headdress OF feathers and breech-
clout of beaded buckskin. He wore mocca-
sins and looked q typical Indian on the war
path, although he came with message of
peace, standing as historic figure between
the Chicago of yesterday and the Chicago Of
to-day
He was Chief John Young, sixty years Of
age, who came from the Pottawatomie reser-
vation, near Miles, Mich. to tell the peopleof
all Nations that his father, who bore the same
name, christened the Worlds Fair city ssChi-
cago' which literally interpreted, means
"Where the skunk dwelis."
The ground OF the Terminal Plaza could
NOT D0 seen ZOE tu6 mass Ot poOpi0 WHO
filed II. In front Of the stand erected for
the chorus Of 2000 voices, under the direc-
tion Of w. l.. Tomlins, an orchestra, the
united Exposition bands and the Eighth
Cavalry Mexican Band accompanied the
chorus In mighty melody which aroused
the people to high pitch OF patriotic
enthusiasm,
Following this great burst OF song the
united bands of the Exposition joined in
playing the music of the Southern States, and
the chorus, orchestra and band joined in
Columbia. the Gem of the Ocean,"
A notable feature was the ringing of the
new liberty bell at noon by Mayor Harrison,
accompanied by blare of trumpets and
chorus sang ..Die Wacht am Rhein, sMar-
seillaise," the Austrian hymn, the Russian
hymn, the "Star -spangled Banner" and
other National and patriotic hymns
At the same time thousands of people
crowded the stock pavilion to witness the
exhibition drill Of the Chicago Hussars, who
entered by the Midway and paraded around
the grounds
The Reunion of the States was the specta-
Gle which the great crowd assembled to wit
ness As the States in the afternoon passed
in review around the Court OF Honor, each
represented by young ladies bearing PEN
nants, cheer after cheer attested the gratif-
cation of the vast audience. The review
Yves divided into five sections
At night the most gorgeous pageant ever
produced took place, and 1t was followed by
a most wonderful display of fireworks.
Twenty-Five great floats illustrated the arts,
Sciences, Peace, War, Chicago, and the Ma
tions. Each was magnificent and costly
production, and the spectacular effect was
gorgeous.