Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-09-27
ATLAN7A'S FAIR.
Opening Of the Great Cotton
States Exposition.
CROWDED With VISITORS
President Cleveland's Part . TIC
Started the Mighty Machinery
by Touching a Button-Brill-
liant Pageant.

The Cotton States and International EXPO
sition was opened Wednesday afternoon
Responsive to the touch OF President CleVe-
land at his summer home, Gray Gables, Oh
the shore OF Buzzard's Bay, in Massacnu-
sets, flash of electric light Illuminated the
Auditorium on the Exposition grounds, inc
steam was released from a valve In Macnin-
cry Hall, the mighty machinery began 10
move, and the great fair was open to delight
and instruct visitors until the last night Oh
the year 1895.
This interesting event was the Climax OF
the days exercises. A procession had been
formed in the city and proceeded to the ex-
position. The streets and grounds were
crowded and the greatest enthusiasm pre-
vailed
Turing the nj hit tho finishing touches had
been put on number Of buildings. Over
nine-tenths of the exhibits were complete
and neatly appareled attendants stood at
ach booth. Tue policemen we're patroling
the grounds. Exposition guards were every
where.
At o'clock the procession, under COM
mand OF Col. ". L. Kellogg, OF the United
States Army, as marshal. began 10 move. In
the line we're the fifth regiment, United States
Army the Washington Artillery New Or
leans crack company, commanded by Col.
John B. Richardson the Fifth Regiment OF
&c rgia Volunteers and various visiting State
troops making twenty-five companies in all.
Guests and directors rode in carriages. Five
ban Is. incud ng Gilmore's famous organi a.
ton headed by Victor Herbert, furnished
music for the tramping column, which swept
its brilliant length out towards the EXPOSE
ton Park between continuous lines oil admir-
ing aud cheering spectators.
The head OF the column cached the gates,
the companies were halted and the expos
ton directors aad their guests In carriages
passed into the grounds.
The guests and the directors entered the
auditorium. where the formal opening oc-
CURED. While the crowd was still gathering
Vic or Herbert rendered his new and orr IL
nal Salute to Atlanta" amid grea: ap-
plause.
Ex-Gov Rufus B. Bullock, as master OF
ceremonies, presented Rishop Cleveland
Kiplock Nelson, who offered the opening
prayer. Mr. Hemphill presented Col. Alb rt
Howell. who read the Exposition ode, written
by Frank L. Stanton.
Pr, sident Collier delivered the opening
address. Mrs Joseph Thompson, presd mt
OF the board of woman managers, spoke In
behalf OF the woman's department.
Booker F. Washington, colored, the prin-
cipal of the Tu.kegee Normal Institute, then
delivered an address, in behalf OF the negro
department.
Mayor King spoke for the city and Hon.
George R. Brown represented Governor At
kinson, who was prevented by hl-health
from speaking for the State.
Then came the electric spark from Gray
Gables and the machinery started, the cleo
trio fountain spouted upward, and the fire.
works blaz ID and belched.
This closed the regular programme, aad
the great crowl distributed Itself over the
grounds and the build ngs for a first peep at
the big fair whose formal Inauguration they
had lust witnessed. The opening was a COM
nlete and uncquil ocal success, and the ex-
T: si.ion begins with every good omen in its
favor.