The Indianapolis journal., 1893-05-09
Light from Over Million Arc and Incades-
cent lamps Shed on the Waters, Statues.
Fountains and other Points Of Interest.
Search Lights Also Used to Entertain
the Twenty-Five Thousand Visitors.
Complaint from Miss Ph9be Cousins Laid Be.
fore the National mmissiOners-Reports
on Condition of the Exposition.
SCENE OF SPLENDOR.

Jackson Park Illuminated by Electric Lights
-25, 900 Visitors the Grounds.
Special TO the Indianapolis Jeurnsl-
CHICAGO, May S.-The climax 10 elec.
tricity's upward march toward the twen-
tieth century was reached tonight when
the worlds fair buildings and grounds
were illuminated in honor of the first
open evening" of the exposition. The
whiteness of the buildings gave added
luster to the rays from the million and
more lights In the grand plaza, while the
golden statues of "The Republic and
Diana" uDon which the light from the
west end of the Administration plaza
poured In binding showers sent back
happy response. which blended harmoDi-
ously with the whole The different build
ings were illuminated to q certain extent.
but the Administration Building ON the
west and the perIstyle on the east, .inclos-
ing the grand court of honor, held the null
titude spellbound and easily carried off the
honors of the night
The crowds began to arrive early. all the
rail and steamer routes bringing immense
numbers. BY the time darkness had settled
over the Wite City fully twenty thousand
people were on the scene. the crowd being
augmented later by probably five thou
SAND. Tho Administration Building was
the first to be electrified, and its beautiful
exterior, from base to tip of dome. was
gilded with rows of inoandescent lights.
At the base of it's dome thirty-two blazing
torches. on bronze stands. were ranged
equi-distant around its circumference. sd-
ding much to Its splendid appearance. Ihe
perIstyle soon added its row of arc lamps
along either side of the lagoon to lend their
aid, and in an instant they were sending
bright rays across the waterway. comDlet-
|, ing the band encrcling the main plaza.
The main lagoon lay under the sheen of
the thousands of lights like great mir
Tor. The arc and peristyle lights formed
its Gilded frame. and around tho sides.
about foot from the waters edge, o row
of electric bulbs lent the added beauty of .
golden bevel TO the splendid plate. Its
aurfaoe was dotted here and there with tho
electric launches and the bright gondolas.
Gayly- bedecked gondOliers stood on the
stem and stern OF their craft, and as their
oars dipped silently In and out OF the water
end their bodies swayed to and fro. the
romantic.lOoking boat and it's Oarsman
formed novel silhouette in the sparkling
basin, disappearing moment later as 1t
passed under the shadow OF bridge
Powerful search lights on top of the
Manufactures andi Agricultural buildings
and Music Hall brought out new beauties
In the scene for the benefit of tha sreeta-
tor. The three search lights were then by
precOncerted signal concentrated upon the
magnificent MacMonies fountain, situated
Immediately in front of the Administration
Building. The marble figures were rem.
dered immaculate in an instant. and the
glare falling inll and powerful upon the
handsome women at the stand and the seat
of honor, sent dazzling rays OF cry ystal
purity down and across the silvery lagoon.
When, shortly before 10 o'clock. the cur
rents were turned oft a sigh went mp from
hundreds OF hearts and darkness put an
end to scene of spleDdor such az was
probably never before presented to human
eyes. Thousands of visitors swarmed into
the Administration Building as soon as
they reached the illuminated portion Of
the park. to view the beautiful interior of
the dome studded with hundreds of incan-
descent lights, which cleaned like di-
almonds. The few eeats which lined the
walls OF the rotunda were eagerly taken
came In roller chairs or brought camp
stools. Nobody cared to remain In one
part of the illuminated grounds for any
length of time for fear of losing some fea-
ture of the first open night. so in and ont of
the Administration Building the stream Of
humanity poured.
The magnificent terraces and promen ade es
which lead 10 the grand basin in front Of
the Administration Building were the
favOrite places for the crowds, chiefly be-
electric fountains would be in operation.
But this WAS the only real disappointment
of the evening. and in the splendors was
hardly missed. When Michael Brands
orchestra. from Cincinnati. began to pour
forth melody upon the scene of splen-
| dor there was a rush of people to the south
side of Music Hall, where the musicians
were stationed under cluster of arc lights
| The south side OF Machinery Hall was an
| attractive place tor those people who knew
where the steam and electric power was
being generated to provide the illumina-
tion.
Twenty-one thousand people bought ad-
mission tickets 10 the worlds fair grounds
up to o'clock this evening. rough guess
at the number OF paid admissions between
| q and 10 p. NJ. places 1T at eight thousand,
making a total of more than thirty thou.
sand maid admissions for the dny