The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-19
The BUTTON WAS PUSHED
President Cleveland Opened the
Atlanta Exposition
THE AUDITORIUM PACKED
The Fountain the Greatest Electrical
Creation ia History
The Negro Race Given Recognition for the
First Time-Vast Crowds Present
at the Opening

ATLANTA, Ga, Sept. 1S.-The open
ing day of the cotton states and interna-
tional exposition dawned auspiciously
bright and clear, affording to the thous-
ands OF northern visitors sample of typ
ical southern September weather. AS
the day wore on the heat threatened to
pass the limit of comfort. but the buoy
ant crowds do not seem to mind the tenn
,erature. During the night the finishing
touches had been put on mum Der of
buildings. and every effort was made o
get the grounds in good shape for the
opening. From the tops of 347 fagstaffs
on the buildings around the grounds
there hoated remnants ana flags of all ma.
tions of the earth ana the doors Of build
ings which had been closed for several
days were all thrown open. Over nino-
tenths of the exhibits were complete and
neatly appareled attendants stood at
eacn booth.
The city is mass of bunting and wav-
ing decorations, flying flags, binds of
music and a general atmosphere of gaiety
and rejoicing offer the strongest possible
contrast to the dismantled Atlanta of
1864. At high noon every steam whistle
in the city broke forth into noisy chorus,
crowds cheered long and loud and the
festivities of the opening day we're fairly
begun. At O'Clock procession under
command of Colonel W. l.. Kellogg,
United States army, as marshal. began
movng. In line were the Fiiteth regi-
ment United States army, commanded
by Colonel ]. B. Richardson; Fifth regi-
ment Georgia volunteers. varlous WIS.,
iting state troops, making twenty-five
companies in all Five bands, including
Gilmore famous organization. headed by
Victor Herbert, furnished music for the
tramping columns. which swept out to
ward exposition park between contin-
uous lines of admiring and cheering spec
tators. .,.,t.. ......-
As the head of the column reached the
gates the companies were halted until the
exposition directors and guests in carri-
ages passed into the gates. The military
companies then marched in, stacked arms
and were entertained ut barbecue. The
guests and directors entered the aud itor-
ium, where the formal opening occurred.
While the crowd was still gathering Vic
tor Herbert's band played his new and
original Salute to Atlanta amid great APP
plause. Vice President William Hemp
hill. master. of ceremonies, presented
Bishop Cleveland Pinlock Nelson, who
offered the opening prayer. Colonel AL
bert Howell read the exposition ode, writ
ten by Frank L.. Stanton. President Col
lier delivered the opening address, and
Mrs. Joseph Thompson, president of the
board of women managers, spoke in be-
half of The women's department. Booker
7. Washington, principal Of the Tuskegs
normal institute, delivered an address on
behalf of the negro department. Mayor
King spoks for the city. Hon. George r.
Brown represented Governor Atkins. who
was prevented by ill-health from speak
ing for the state.
The nsw auditorium within the new
exposition grounds was packed to its re-
hottest corners during the delivery OF the
addresses, all of which were received
with enthusiasm. The programme pre-
sented the remarkable spectacle of ex-
Governor Rufus B. Bullock, elected chief
executive of the state by Republican
votes during the reconstruction period,
and now leading citizen of Atlanta aud
director of the exposition, acting as
master of ceremonies in introducing in
succession to southern audience Mrs.
Joseph Thorn pson, president of the
woman's board, and BROKER I. Washing
ton, the representative of the negro race.
This incident, coupled with the appear
ance of negroes in carriages In the parade
and the presence OF the negro building
on the grounds, emphasi zed the recog-
milton given to the race by this EXPOSE
ton for the tirst time in the history OF
rueh enterprises.
When Judge Sheer concluded his ora
ton tia ceremony of touching the button
took place. Wires had been stretched
from Gray Gables to Buzzards' bay, and
still another wire had been stretched
from the auditorium here to the machin-
cry building. Whils Judge Speer was de-
liver.ng his address the operator cleared
the line to Gray Gables. and shortly after
o'clock everything was ready. Herbert's
band played a selection and suddenly
illuminated the building. There were
great cheers. The exposition was for
.nally opened.
Down at machinery hall Engineer
Charles f. Foster stood watching the en-
gines. They had attached two electric
valves to the Frick engine and the four
million gallon pump. When the presi-
dent touched the button the electricity
opened small valve, which forced jet
of steam against larger one and through
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 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 engines were opened.
The wheels began turning and the pom
derous machines announced the opening
o. the great show.
Standing on the banks of Lake Clara
Nicer, Nj. Luther Steinger di rected the
operations ot the fountain. the greatest
electrical creation in the history OF the
world. The single jet from the center OF
the machine suddenly began shooting,
and as it rose bove the banks of the
lake the men at Paine's fireworks build
ing hogan salute of 100 bombs, the
first bomb, thrown high into the air.
notifying the crowd around the grounds
that The exposition had already started
and great cheers rent the air. This
closed the regular programme and the
great crowd distributed itself over the
grounds and the buildings for first peep
at the big fair, which formal opening
they had just witnessed. The opening
was a complete success, and the ex-