Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-09-19
TIE EXPOSITION OPENED.
The Greatest Industrial Effort Ever
Made by the South.
The Preliminary Exercises Were
Entirely Successfully Grand Pa
rade, Witnessed by Thousands.
President Cleveland Presses the
Button and Starts Things Going.

ALAOi A4u6 VI l4c OpeuluS udy VI IuC
South's great show, the Cotton States
and International Exposition, dawned
auspiciously bright and clear, affording
to the thousands of northern visitors in
the city a sample Of typical southern
September weather
During The night the finishing touch
es had been put on the buildings From
the tops of the 347 flag STATS there
dOated the pennants and flags of the ma
tions of the earth, and the doors OF the
buildings We're all thrown open.
over nine-tenths of the exhibits were
complete. The policemen had arrived
and exposition guards were everywhere
Downtown preparations began early
for the parade, and the uniforms OF u.
S. regulars and visiting and local mill
tary lent a martial tone to the multi
ndes The city is a mass Of bunting
and flying flags. The bands OF music
and the general atmosphere of gaiety
and rejoicing offer the strongest posi-
BILE contrast 10 the dismantled Atlanta
of ca. so familiar to many of the veter-
ans Of the federal armies who are to-
day participating in the celebration Of
the greatest victory of peace the South
has ever won.
At high noon every steam whistle in
the city broke forth into noisy chorus,
the crowds in the streets cheered, and
the festivities were fairly begun.
At one o'clock the procession began 70
move. In the line were the Fifth Reg
iment L. S. A; the Washington Artil-
lery. New Orleans crack company,
commanded by John B. Richardson;
the Fifth Regiment Of Georgia Volun-
teers. and various visiting State troops,
making twenty-five companies in all
Five bands. including Gilm0re's famous
organization. headed by Victor Her.
bert. furnished music for the tramping
column which swept lis brilliant
length out towards the Exposition
Park. between continuous lines OF ad-
miring and cheering spectators.
As the head Of the column reached
the gates the companies were halted,
and the exposition directors and their
guests in carriages passed into the
grounds. Then the military compa-
MES marched in. stopped on the plaza,
stacked arms. and were taken to the
barbecue stand. where they were the
guests of the exposition for short
while.
The guests and directors entered the
auditorium where the formal opening
occurred. The speakers were seated
on the small stage, which was profuse>
~ decorated.
While the crowd was still gathering
Victor Herbert's band rendered his
new and ariginal Salute to Atlanta
amid great applause.
Ex-Gov. R. B. Bullock, as master OF
ceremonies. presented Bishop Cleye-
land Kinlock Nelson, who offered the
opening prayer.
Mr. Bullock presented Col. Albert
Howell. who read the exposition ode
written bv Frank L. Stanton.
Then Mr.. Bullock introduced Presl-
dent Collier. who delivered the open
ing address. President Collier was
followed by Mrs. Joseph Thompson,
president of the Board of Women Man
ayers. who spoke in behalf of the wo-
mans department ,
Booker r. Washington, the principal
of the Tuskge Normal Institute, then
delivered an address in behalf OF the
Negro department.
Mayor King spoke for the city, and
Hon. Geo. r. Brown represented Gov:
Atkinson. who was prevented by III
health from speaking for the State.
When Judge Speer concluded his ora
ton. the ceremony Of touching the but
TON took place. Wires had been stretch
ed no Buzzard's Bay. While Judge Speer
was delivering his address, one operator
cleared the line.
Herbert's played a selection and sud
denly a flash Of light from electric
lamps illuminated the building. There
were great cheers. The exposition was
formally opened.
Down at Mechanics Hall, Engineer
Charles r. Foster, sitting by the big en-
CINE waiting for the signal from the
President. held his head close 10 the
electric valve. When the valve clicked
and the Kissing steam poured into the
cylinder ne waved his hand to the engi-
neers around him and at once all the en-
zines were opened. The wheels began
turning and the ponderous machine an
nounced 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 history Of the
world. The single jet from the centre
of the machine suddenly began spout
ing and as is rose above the banks of the
lakes The men at Paine's Fireworks
bu1ding began a salute Of 100 bombs.
The first bomb thrown high into the air.
notified the crowds around the grounds
shat the exposition had really 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
q first peep at the big fair whose formal
they had just witnessed.
The opening was q complete and une-
quivocal success and the exposition be-
gins with every good omen IN its favor.
GROVER PRESSED THE BUTTON.
Buzzards Bay. Mass, September Is.
The gold-rimmed button attached to
a wire connecting Gray Gables, the
summer. residence of President Cleve-
land. with the motor in machinery hall
i'm the great Cotton States and Inter
national Exposition at Atlanta, Ca,
was pressed by the Chief Executive Of
the United States at 6:56 this evening.
Early this morning the line at this
end was in readiness. The line was
tested and found to be ready for use
At , o'clack message was received
from Atlanta stating that it had been
decided to defer the starting OF the