The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-02
The Exposition Opened With Very
Appropriate Exercises.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PRESENT.
President Mckinley Pressed the But
ton which Started the Machinery
in Motion-Gov. Taylor spoke.

weather was bright and cool. and at al
early hour the streets were throngsd witt
people assembled to witness the parade o
the Eseenic order and other societies. Thu
procession formed on the public square anc
marched through College street to Market
Market to Union, Union to Summer, Sum
mcr to Church, Church to Spruce, Spruce
to Broad and the exposition grounds.
The Indictment weather which prevailed
yesterday and until carly this morning in
terefered with the arrangements for the
parade in honor Of tho visiting supreme of
Ulcers OF the Ancient and Lsscnic order. 1t
was a most creditsble affair aud those pres-
ent manifested their appreciation OF tho
opening OF the exposition. 1'he procession
was headed by detachment OF mounted
police, followed by local division OF the
Uniform Rank knights OF PythIas. efncers
OF the Tennessee Essenlc order. the legion
band Of the First Tennessee hattllion, com
yany A OF the First Tennessee regiment OF
Knoxville, company of the Ohio National
Guard Of Norman, Ohio the sponsor OF An
ciert Easenic Order, and rll1s Of honor
arrayed In costumes OF white, in a tally
no; senators and knights Of the local senate,
and supreme officers and visiting kn,ghts.
Governor Taylor and his stan in open
carriages went TO the grounds later Tho
public buildings ana hundreds Of business
houses and private residences along the
line of march and eyerywhe hero about the
city are Handsomely adorned with the ma
tional colors and other decorations, and
present very beautiful appearance.
Arriving at the exposition grounds. those
in the procession Joined With the thousands
OF other visitors in inspecting the buildings
and very attractive grounds.
At o'clock III, gator were opened and
the people began 10 arrive. BY II o'clock.
the hour fixed for the cxercises In the au-
ditorium. that building holding 5000 people
was filed. The brief. simple but Impress
siy1 programme was carried out before
one OF tho most intelligent and brilliant
gatherings ever assembled In Tenncssee.
On the platform were the exposition off,
cors and committees. Governor TAYLOR md
staff. the chief justice and associate jus-
ticeA OF the supreme court, members Of the
womRns board the mayor OF Nashville
United sAtes Senator W. b Bate. Hon.
J. w. Gaines and hundreds of prominent
citizens.
President John w. Thomas at II o'clock.
with historical gavcl, rapPcd for order
and Rev. Taomas +. Gaylnr. coadjuior
bishop Of Tennessee, offered prayer
Spec b. J. ". Thomas president OF
thu exposition. Governor K. l., Taylor aad
Major e G Lewis. director general of the
expedition. followed
Cnio; Justics snodsra1s, w ". Nc
Cagihy. Hon. Thompson. speaker Of the
state senate. ard Morgan c. ,ltzpstrick
speaker n; tho house Of Representatives
each delivered briet address. After tho
addTesses President Thomgri dictated on the
stage the following message to prcsldcn,
Mckinley.
ITO the Presldcst Of the United States OF
America, Washington
The people Of Tennessee send greetings
and reqpoai that YOU now put IN motion
tho machinery Of tbs Tennessee Centennial
exposition"
lu few minutes the roar % artillery
was heard echoing and re-echolng through
tho buildings ard over the grounds Presl.
dea; McKlrley bad pressed tho buttons.
tho exposition was opcned. the machinery
had started az l2.l4 o'clock. The c1ercls.s
IA ihe auditorium oudcd and the pcop!e
gathered around The immense fmnthlu rou-
rcaentinE electricity. BUNK ~ Mqrcttt 10
wit'cas Tho ceremony Of its presentation
10 and acceptance by Mrs l.. Y. Kirk.
tasn. president Of tho womaas board
Gcggrpur TAYLOR introduced Mrs kirk
man IN brief but happy spocch Mrs.
kirimaH briefly accepting TN honor.
touched The button ard Tho waters gushed
forth
luncheon was then served 10 the NOM
heia Of The woman's board and guests and
reception followed. During the afternoon
ono %. ihc most charming bulldogs, the
children's Wal formally opened with
kindergarten exercises and this building
was one Of the chief centers OF attraction
during the sfirrEoon.
Among the distinguished visitors upon
the auditorium stage were ex-Vice Presl-
dent Stevenson ard Governor Stephens OF
Missouri. Open air concerts and music In
ha fsHn.
crowds and as the afternoon heightened tho
Attendance Increased until after o'clocl,
when the tide set cityward
Tho agricultural building had caught
the fancy OF tho visitors. It's decorations
aTtiAue beauty, peculiarly unique. drew
well and tho building WAS nlled all day.
The mineral and forestry buildings with
exhibits nearly complete was much fire.
quent,d- Thu government building was not
IN good shape for viewing but the com
norce. transportation and machinery
buildings were throngl Tho railway
terminal station. contaIning the exhibits
cf HeyeTal roads. was n ccnter OF attraction.
Only portion of the par,henon tho
art gallery, was open. the pictures not he
ing hung IN two-thlrds OF tho building.
But the pictures on the wall were viewed
by Thousands
II was not an exhibit examining crowd:
the people had not come TO 20 from build
aAS ~ bNf4ilHE w u dlty 10 De performed,
They had come 10 View the exposition as
an entirety. Tonight concerts by the bands.
offensive fireworks and complete illumina-
ton OF grounds and buildings by electric
lights drew thousands in addition 10 those
Who waited on tbs grounds for the f.igh;
programme Conservative estimates place
the day and night attendance at 30 900.
Perfect order prevailed.
Nashville. Tenn, May The Tennessee
Centennial exposition has been opened to
the world, and the first day OF May. 1887.
will b forever memorable In the annals Of
Tennessee,
The history of the State. when It Is writ |
'sn, VIII contain no brighter page than the |
record 81 this last achievement It is |
worth q great people, and reflects credit |
upon the whole nation. From now on until |
tho laft Of October the course OF travel |
from every point OF the compass viii bo |
towards Nashville to see what the Volun.
teor State has done In hundred years.
frhn IfgtOrv NJ tho Taunaaxna rantcupi,I