The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-14
MIDWINTER FAIR OPEN.
Pacific Slope People Flock In Crowds
to San Francisco.

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to San Francisco.
The Golden State has thrown open, at San
Francisco. the gates Of her Midwinter Expo
sition The Governor having proclaimed the
day q holiday, business throughout the State
was at standstill. and thousands of people
went to the city from all over California,
while Oregon, Washington. Nevada, Arizona
and British Columbia contributed a large
proportion OF the visitors.
San Francisco was en- fete in honor of the
occasion, and the buildings at the Exposition
grounds. in Golden Gate Park, were gay
with bunting, banners and flags. Along the
line of march OF the procession residences
were decorated The procession was larger
and more representative than any ever held
here before. Every fraternal organization
and every society and club Of any i'm
portance was out In full force. More Of the
pioneers OF the State. although their ranks
have been greatly thinned Of late, turned
out. comparatively speaking, than On any
similar occasion. In addition to the National
and State troops. the Native Daughters
Of the Golden West. veterans or the
Mexican War, the Grand Army OF the
Republic men, the naval battalion. and
representatives of all concessions at the Ex-
position were also in line. The GEAR Of the
procession was brought up with carriages
containing Director-General De Young and
other officers of the Exposition, Governor
Markham and other State officers, Mayor FL
liott and representatives Of the city, General
Ruger. commanding the Department OF the
Pacific Commandant Hovison OF Mare
Island Navy Yard. and various foreign. State,
and County Commissioners OF tho Exposi-
tion.
A1o 10 ho q q
for the Exposition grounds, where the cere-
monies OF opsning day were held in grand
stand on the Recreation grounds, accommo-
dating 1000 people. They began with the
singing OF ':America" BY 300 voices. the
large audience joining in the chorus. After
Governor Markham had made speech Of
welcome. Director General De Young told
no " the Exposition had come into being.
He ended bv declaring the Exposition
open. and Mrs. De Young pressed the cleo
tric button which set the machinery OF the
Exposition In motion amid snouts OF the
great gathering, waving OF flags and ban
ners, salutes by battery OF artillery, and
the playing OF the "Stsr-Spangled Banner"
BIZ five bands. General ". H. L. Barnes was
the final speaker.
The exercises concluded with cred,
White. and Blue" and 'Columbia," playei
by the bands and sung by the grand chorus.
After this the crowdS Sc2ttereu OVER tue
grounds At night the buildings were illu-
minated and the opening day festivities
closed with a grand display OF fireworks.
The great fair has been In preparation
since August "a. when ground was first
broken. It has cost about $4: 500, 900, and IS
second in extent only to the Paris and Chit
cnyo expositions. Sixty acres OF Golden
Gate Park have been devoted to the Exposi-
ton. This space is covered by five main
buildings grouped about central concert
valley, from the centre OF which arises an
electric to Ter 260 feet in height This tower
is covered by incandescent lamps and sur
rounded by search lights, which throw their
beams in all directions.
The fair lacks a Midway Plaisance, but
there are tYoscore sideshows scattered
through the grounds, which In the agsre-
gate duplicate the attractions OF that once
famous thoroughfare. There are the same
Turkish. French and German restaurants,
tho same old Vienna, the German tavern, the
same rolling chairs, Cairo street, Chinese
theatre, ostrich farm, captive balloon, Ha:
waiian cyclorama, and, In fact, duplicates OF
most OF the attractions which gave the Mid
way Plaisance name and fame.