Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-09-26
ATLANTA'S FAIR.
The Cotton States and Information.
al Exhibition Formally Opened
1 TELEGRAM Sent TO CLEVELAND.
The Presidents Reply to ths Dispateh-Ths
Electrical Fountain Played and Palms
Bombs Notified the crowd That the
Exposition Had Started


In the streets cheered and the festiv.
tiles Of the opening day Of the exposl-
ton were fairly begun. A short time
after the military companies reached
the gates, marched in and we're taken
TO the barbecue stand as guests OF the
exposition. Bishop Nelson made the
opening prayer and an ode to the ex-
position was read. Then President
Collier delivered the opening address.
The parade in the grounds was nota-
bic event, including at 1t did many dis
tinguished persons. There wasa little
hitch in starting the machinery, owing
to delay in adjusting the connection
with Buzzard's bay.
Wires had been stretched from Gray
Gables to Buzzard's bay and still an
other wire had been stretched from
the Auditorium here to the machinery
building. While Judge Speer, one OF
the speakers, was delivering his ad.
dress, the operator cleared the line to
Gray Gables, and shortly after 4
o'clock everything was ready. Her
bert's band played selection and sud-
denly a fash Of light from an electric
lamp, illuminated the building. There
were great cheers. The exposition
was formally opened.
Down at machinery hall Engineer
Charles +. Foster was standing watch
Ing the engines. They had attached
two electric valves to'the Frick engine
and the 4, OOO, 600 gallon pump When the
president touched the button the cleo
tricity opened small valve, which
forced jet of steam against larger
one and by this opening the steam was
admitted to the cylinders. Mr.. Foster
was sitting by the big engine waiting
for the signal from the president He
held his head close to the electric
valve for half an hour. When the
valve clicked and the kissing steam
poured into the cylinder he waved his
hand to the engineers around him and
at once all the engines were opened.
The wheels began turning and the
ponderous machines announced the
opening of the great show.
Standing on the banks OF Lake Clara
Nicer, Mr.. Luther Steininger directed
the operations of the fountain, the
greatest electrical creation in the his
tory of the world. The single jet from
the center of the machine suddenly
began shooting, and as 1t rose above
the banks Of the lake the men at Pains
fireworks building began salute Of
100 bombs. The first bomb, thrown
high into the air, notified the crowds
around the grounds that the EXPOSE
ton had really started, and great
cheers rent the air. This closed the
regular programme and the crowd dis
trhuted itself over the grounds and
the buildings for the first peep at the
big fair, whose formal Inauguration
they had just witnessed. The opening
was complete and unequivocal sue.
cess and the exposition begins with
every good omen in It's favor
Almost Immediately after the presi.
dent had exerted the required pressure
upon the button, word was telegraphed
back that the wire worked perfectly.
Just before o'clock the following
message came to the president from
tho committee on ceremonies at At
lanta:
10 Grover Cleveland, Gray Gables;
The committee on ceremonies are instructed
by he president and director-genoral and by
the hoard Of directors u express 10 the presi-
dent their high appreciation Of and thanks for
the great Int rest the president has shown both
In this and other occasions in behalf OF the suo-
cess OF the Cotton states and International
exposition. Under the guidance Of the hand of
President Cleveland one Of the most lmpor-
tant commercial and industrial efforts ever at.
tempted in our section has now started on Its
career for the upbulding Of our material in
terests by closer commercial relations with oil
portions Of our country and with sister repub-
lies south of us The mlngling Of practical
people from all sections made possible by the
president future Ill feeling between the seq
lions Is impossible
IurUs d. BULLOCK, Chairman
This dispatch was accompanied by
the request that President Cleveland's
reply be sent to Atlanta before the
button should DO pressed In order that
the presidents message might be read
to the assemblage before the opening
Of the exposition. The following mes
sage was sent,
TO the President and Directors OF the Cot.
ton States and International Exposition,
Atlanta:
GRAY GABLE', Sept l5.--Fully appreclating
tho value and Importance OF the exposition In
augurated to-day, l am especially gratifed to
DO related to Its inception and progress, and
TO participate in Its opening ceremonies.
sincerely congratulate those whose enterprise
and energy have accomplished such splendid
results, and heartily wish the exposition they
have set on foot will be completely successful
In communicating all tho good results contem-
plated by It's promoters,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
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