Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-27
CALIFORNIA; FAIR.
Great Results Accomplished in Five
Months.
OPENING OF TEE Big EXPOSITION.
A Display of Which the West is
Proud.
THE INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 27.-This Is a
great day IN the history of California, the
land OF sunshine, fruit and flowers; for the
golden state throws wide open the gates of
her wonderful undertaking, the information
al mid-winter exposition. and displays to the
world city of a hundred structures, great
and small. containing exhibits of the highest
merit,the whole the result OF enterprise, cour-
age and energy of her citizens. The governor
having proclaimed the day a holiday, busi-
ness throughout the state for time is at a
standstin. and thousands Of people have
come to the city from the interior and other
sections of the state. and oregon, Washing
ton. Nevada, Arizona and British Columbia
have contributed a large proportion Of the
exhibits; the Pacific coast thus enthusiast
icaily uniting in celebrating the great hol-
iday.
San Francisco Is en- fete in honor Of the
occasion. and the buildings at the exlosi-
uon grounds are decorated with bunting,
banners and flags. People bestirred them
selves early this morning. their interest
centering in the grand parade which the
exposition management had promised, and
tne streets OF the city presented a scene
OF animation strongly reminiscent of the
days of the Grand Army and Knights
Templar pageants.
The enthusiasm of the people was appar-
ent everywhere. and along the line Of
marcn, where residences were literally ard
tastefuly decorated, they were out in
greatest numbers even than on the occasion
OF the visit Of President Harrison to San
francisco several years ago.
The Parade.
The procession. of which Gen. John H
Dickinson of the National Guards was
grand marshal. which commenced to move
at lO O'Clock uvbf ole,
well be proud of. as it was larger and more
representative than any ever held here be-
iore- Every fraternal organization in the
city and eveV society and club of any i'm
portance was out in full force.
The pioneers of the Native Sons of the
Goiden west were strongly represented
Ghd were feature OF the pageant which
was enthusiastically received all along the
Ine- 1he pioneers were also greeted with
enthusiastic cheers time and again as they
"endeo their way along with the rest
although their ranks have been greatly
thinned OF late. more of them turned out
today. comparatively speaking. than on
any similar occasion
The national and state troops. interspers-
ed mere and there in the procession, made a
splendid showing. and their fine bearing
ana pefrectly executed eyolutions evoked
in1eh admiraIion from the great crowds of
spectators The Native Daughters of the
Golden West. veterans of the Mexican war
the Grand Army of the Republic men, the
naval battalion and representatives of all
concessions at the exposition were also in
line.
The rear Of the procession was brought
up with carriages containing Director Cen
eraI Young and other officials of the expo
sition, Gov. Markham and other state offi-
GERS. Mayor Elliott and other municipar
oilcers. Cen Ruger. commanding the de-
partment of the Pacific, Comrnandant Howl
son OF Mare Island navy yard, the various
foreign. state and county commissioners of
the exposition, and many others.
The Opening Ceremonies.
After the parade the crowds made a grand
rush for the exposition grounds, where the
ceremonies of opening day were to he held
Cable cars leading to the grounds were
taxed as they never were before and not
withstanding the fact that all companies
had made great preparations for the rush.
IL was oy far greater than they had antici-
pated' and every available car had to be
Drought into service. Tho scene at the
gates OF the exposition was one long to he
remembered Thousands there seemed tn be
In feverish haste TO get within and az tbav
pushed through the turnstiles they made =.
break Tor the recreation grounds whe-e a
stdhu stand mad been erected, and where
the ceremonies were to take place. Thi,
stand accommodated 1000 people and Wa :
occupied in an incredibly short snace or
time; The Midwinte- Fair Band, Iowa Stata
Llhd and three other bands were in at
i5,,It,r I1, and put the spectators in good
.LAlor Dy rendering several patriotic selec-
uols before the exercises commenced
HISt speaker was James d. Phelan
. presideht OF the day. who spoke of the
SIedt enterprise IN honor of which the ceIe-
DTauCn OF the day was being held and con-
graduated the people of San Francisco and
oaIloItla on what has thus far been done
an What would be yet ACCOMPLISHED
The speaker was followed by Rev. Bisbon
VIM r Nichols. who offered prayer, the
r;,st eoneourse of people remaining in
respectful silence until he had concluded
Then came a grand chorus of America
rendered by 300 voices, the great audience
Joining in singing After the mighty re-
Train OF the national anthem had died ay,av
Gov. Markham delivered an address of wei
come.
In the course of his remarks he said:
No state, no people, are so prodigal in
their hospitality as yourselves. and Know
Ing them as i do, and to what l bid YOU
welcome. in perfect confidence. / extend to
all, and especially to those from foreign
lands. cordial welcome. a hearty greeting
and freedom of our entire state.
Gov. Markham was warmly applauded
and cheered at the conclusion of his speech.
NJ H DefounS, director general of the
exposition. was the next speaker.
Five months ago, almost to 4 day." he
said. I'VE assembled within these grounds
and turned the first shovelful of earth and
by the act made the first material move
nent toward developing and erecting the
California midwinter international eXposi-
ton.
He spoke of the obstacles encountered at
the institution OF the enterprise, and told
how they had been overcome. He said: THE
world has turned her eyes toward US. and
our growing state has been a subject OF
discussion at millions of fresides. If we go
no further than We have today it has been
paying investment"
The Exposition Declared Open.
Director General De Young then declared
the exposition open. and Mrs. De Young
pressed the electric button which set the
enormous machinery of the exposition in
motion. amid shouts of the great gathering,
waving Of thousands Of flags and banners,
salutes by a battery of artillery and the
playing Of the star Spangled Banner by
the five bands.
The vast audience. wildly enthusiastic,
gave vent to their feelings IN cheer after
cheer. Such 4 scene has never before been
witnessed in Golden Gate Park, and it was
some time ere comparative quiet was re-
stored for the concluding exercises.
Cen w. II. L. Barnes, the orator of the
day, was the final speaker. the subject of
his address being the general benefits and
permanent results of the midwinter exposi-
ton Cen Barnes highly eulogized the pro-
tectOrs of the exposition, and with his
usual eloquence. painted beautiful picture
Of the future of San Francisco and the
great golden state. rousing the assemblage