The herald., 1897-05-02
Centennial Exposition Is
Opened
M'NMLEY PUSHED A BUTTON
oBEDIENT ELECTRICITY DID
THE REST
Most Of the Buildings Incomplete, But
Attendance Is Large and Ex-
ercises Interesting
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
NASHVILLE. Tenn. May 1.-Follow-
ing q night, cold and dreary: a night
casting gloom over an entire city, where
all the people were anxiously hoping fol-
a typical May morning, bright. warm
and beautiful. upon which to celebrate
the actual opening of the Tennessee cen
tennial exposition, came a day surpris-
ing and delighting expectant thousands.
A bright, cloudless day dawned, but cold
with chilling north wind blowing. The
effects Of the rain during the night van
ished, the wind dried the earth and when
the children's parade. including knights
Of Pythias, Tennessee guard. Company
A of the national guard Of Ohio. the
sponsors and maids Of honor Of the Es-
sene order, with brass bands and flying
colors. marched along the decorated
streets, the throngs forgot the cold wind
and dismissed their forebodings.
| At 8 o'clock the gates of the Tennessee
exposition were opened and people be-
gan to arrive. BY o'clock. the hour fix
ed for the exercises in the auditorium,
the building holding 5000 people was
filled. The brief and simple program
was carried out before one Of the most
brilliant gatherings ever assembled IN
| Tennessee. On the platform were the
exposition officers and committees, Gov
ernor Taylor and his staff, the chief
justice and associate justices of the su-
preme court, members of the woman's
board and the mayor OF Nashville,
United States Senator Bate and hun
dreds of prominent citizens.
President John w. Thomas, at IL
o'clock. with a historical gavel raped
for order and Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Gay
lor, coadjutor bishop of Tennessee, Of
fered prayer.
Rev. Thomas. Gov. Taylor. Chief
Justice Snodgrass, William Mccarthy,
John Thompson, speaker Of the state
senate, and Morgan c. Fitzpatrick,
speaker Of the house Of representatives,
delivered brief addresses. After the ad-
dresses. President Thomas dictated on
the stage the following message to Pres
ident Mckinley:
ITO the President Of the United States
of America, Washington: The people
of Tennessee send greeting, and request
that you now put in motion>the machin-
cry Of the Tennessee Centennial expo
sition."
In few moments the roar Of artillery
was heard echoing and re-echoing
through the building and over the
grounds. President Mckinley had
pressed the button, the exposition was
opened, the machinery had started.
The exercises in the auditorium ended
and the people gathered around the i'm
mense fountain representing Electric
ity," built by Moretti, to witness the
ceremony of its presentation and ac-
ceptance by Mrs. v. L. Kirkman. pres
ident Of the woman's board Gen. Tay-
lor introduced Mrs. Kirkman. in brief
speech. and Mrs. Kirkman. briefly. ac-
cepting the honor, touched the button,
and the water gushed forth.
A luncheon was served to the men,
bers of the woman's board and recep-
tion followed. During the afternoon
one of the most charming buildings, the
children's. was formally opened with
kindergarten exercises. This building
was one of the chief centers Of attrac-
tion during the afternoon.
Among the distinguished visitors up
on the auditorium stage were ex-Vice
President Stevenson and Gov. Stephens
of Missouri.
Open air concerts and music in the
auditorium attracted the growing
crowds. and as the afternoon length
ened the attendance increased until af-
ter o'clock, when the tide set cityward.
The agricultural building had Iught
the fancy Of visitors. It's decorations
drew well, and the building was filled all
day. The mineral and forestry build
ings, with exhibits nearly complete, were
much frequented. The government
building was not in good shape for view
ing, but the commerce. transportation
and machinery buildings were throng-
ed. The railway terminal station, con-
tanning the exhibits of several roads,
was a center of attraction.
Only a portion of the Parthenon, the
art gallery, was opened, the pictures not
being hung in two-thirds Of the build
ing. but the pictures on the wall were
viewed by thousands.
Tonight concerts by bands, extensive
fireworks and complete illumination of
the grounds and buildings by electricity
drew thousands in addition to those who
waited on the grounds for the night pro-
gram. Conservative estimates place the
day and night attendance at 10000.
LIGHTNING DID THE REST
WASHINGTON. May LIN compli-
ance with the request Of the Executive
Committee of the Nashville Centennial,
the President opened the Exposition by
wire from the White House at 1880
o'clock today. The circuit was made by
the Western Union officials by way of
Richmond, Va, and Asheville, N. c., re-
ppeaters being used at the former place
The circuit was little over 700 miles
long. Immediately upon the completion
OF the circuit the President was noti-
fled by Secretary Porter, and at once
walked across the hall and paced his
finger on the Morse key, which action in
put in motion the wheels OF the
Exposition. Members of the Tennessee
delegation in Congress, Pension Com
missioner Evans and a number OF other
prominent Tennesseeans witnessed the
ceremony.
The arrangements contemplated a
prompt opening Of the exposition at
noon, central time, but there was few
minutes delay in making the final prep
aratIons. President Mckinley stood at