The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-02
The CENTENNIAL OPENED.
The SOuth'S Great Exposition Thrown
Open to the World
UNDER SKIES OF CLOUDLESS BLUE.
President Mckinley, Hundreds of Miles
Away, Pressed a Button and the Elec.
trio Messenger Set the Machinery In
Moton-The Ceremonies.

NASHVILLE, TENN, May 1.-The
Tennessee Centennial Exposition was
thrown open to the world to-day under
auspicious skies and amid impressive
ceremonies. The day dawned cloudless
and cool. after a rainy night which
threatened at one time to interfere with
the festivities Of the inaugural day.
At s o'clock the gates OF the expo
sition were opened and the people began
TO arrive. BY II o'clock the hour fixed
for the exercises in the auditorium. that
building holding e.0oO people was filled.
The brief simple. but impressive pro-
gramme was carried out before one %
tho most brilliant gatherings ever as
sembled in TENNESSEE. on the platform
were the exposition officers and COM
mittees. Governor Taylor and his STAFF,
the Chief Justice and Associate Justices
of the Supreme Court, members Of the
Womans Board, TIE Mayor Of Nashville
United States Senator w. B. Bate, Hon.
/ w. Gaines and hundreds Of proml-
nent citizens.
THE PARADE
The procession formed on the public
square ard marched through the
principal street 10 the Expo-
sition grounds. The inclement weather
this morning iDterfered with the ar
rangements for the parade in honor or
the visiting supreme officers OF Ancient
Essenic Order. yet IT was most crcdita-
bic affair and manifested their apprecia-
ton of the opening of the Exposition.
The procession was headed by det"ch.
ment OF mounted police. followed by local
divisions Of the Uniform Rank Knights
OF Pythias officers of the Tennessee E.
senic order; legion band Of Frs. i T.
nessee battalion, and other oiga"i7a-
tions. Governor Taylor and his stan In
open carriages, went to the grounds later.
Public buildings and hundreds OF busi-
ness houses and private residences along
the line Of march and evs-y other po--
ton OF the city are handsomely adoiI ed
with national colors, and otncr Cccpla-
tions and present very beautiful mp
pearance.
Arriving at the Exposition grounds
those in procession Joined with thousands
OF other visitors I'm the inspecting splen-
did buildings and very attractive grounds.
THE OPENING CEREMONIES.
The opening ceremonies were so simple
and so plain that they were in perfect
harmony with the methods OF the Dlrec-
tor General and his efficient committees.
but they were at the same time very i'm
pressiye, and made a fitting prelude 10
one of the most memorable events In
Tennessee history. The opening Of the
Exposition marks the one hundredth year
OF the admission OF the State into the
sisterhood OF commonwealths. The in
augural ceremonies, year ago, were at
tended by n military pageant that was
significant OF the prowess Of the Volun-
teer State, and after the baptism OF arms
comes the sweet presence OF art and
science, and the formal opening to-day
was marked by the absence Of the citizen
sodiery in uniform, though every man
present was a soldier II called upon TO
protect his home in fair Tennessee, and
to maintain the dignity OF the Volunteer
State.
The members of both Houses OF
the Legislature and their wives assembled
at the Union-Street Depot OF the Nash
VILE. Chattanooga and ST. Louis Railway
at o'clock, and were conveyed In spe-
cial trains 10 the handsome terminal sta
ton at the west side OF the Exposition
Park. The place Of rendezvous was the
Administration Building. whence the Of
ncials. the legislators and distinguished
guests, including the Governor OF the
Garfa, Postmaster General Of the Re-
public of Mexico, and suite, escorted by
a vast concourse OF citizens proceeded TO
the Auditorium, which. In a few moments
was filled with above seven thousand
people. while a perfect multitude was un-
able to obtain admission, and contented
itself with listening to the inspiring
strains Of Bellstadt e Ballenberg's sup
erb military concert band of Cincinnati
The ceremonies were opened with prayer
by Rt. Rev Thomas r. Gaylor. co-adju-
tor Bishop Of Tennessee
Then there were addresses bv Major
]. W. Thomas. president. and Governor
Taylor
MESSAGE TO MKINLEY.
Chief Justice Snodgrass. William Nc
Carthy, John Thompson. Speaker OF the
State Senate; and Morgan &. Fitzpatrick,
Speaker Of the House Of Representative,
also delivered brief addresses. Presl-
ent Thomas dictated from the stage the
following message TO President Mckln-
ley:
ITO the President OF the United States.
Washington. -. c.:
The people OF Tennessee send greet
ing and request that you now put IN
motion the machinery Of the Tennessee
Exposition"
In a few minutes the roar Of artillery
was heard echoing and re-echoing
the buildings and over the
grounds. President Mckinley had press
ed the button; the exposition was open,
the machinery had started at l2Ii
D clock.
The exercises in the Auditorium ended,
the people gathered around the immense
fountain representing electricity, built
by Moretu, 10 witness the ceremony OF
It's presentation TO, and acceptance BY.
Mrs. V. /. Kirkman. President Of the
Board.
Governor Taylor introduced Mrs. Kirk
man in a brief but happy speech. Mrs.
Kirkman. briefly accepting the honor,
touched the button. and the waters gush-
ed forth.
A luncheon was then served to the
OF the Woman's Board and
guests. and a reception followed. Dur
nr the afternoon. one OF the most charm
ing builslngs-the Childrens-was for
mally opened with kindergarten exercises.
and this building was one OF the chief
centres OF attraction during the after
noon.
Among the distinguished visitors upon
the Auditorium stage were ex-Nice-Pres-
dent Adlai L. Stevenson, Of Illinois, a,d
Governor Stephens. OF Missouri.