Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1897-05-07
TENNESSEE's CENTENNIAL.
From Nov Untlltbs Last Or Of October
tbs Gates Of the =
WONDER WORLD WILL Be WIDE OPEN.
Visitors Revel In the. Maze of whirl-
ing Wheels or Clanking Engines,
or While Away a Pleasant Hour I'm
Vanity Fair-OpenIng Ceremonies.

Vanity Fafr-Opening Oercmonies'
Following night Of cold, dreary,
forbidden rain, night casting gloom
over an entire city, where all the peo-
pie were anxious fer the opening OF
bright May morning with which to cei-
ebrate the actual opening OF the Ten
nessee centennial exposition, came
day surprising and delighting the ex-
pectant thousands. The bright, cloud
less day dawned, but cold, with chill
ing north wind blowing, the effects OF
the rain during the night vanishing,
the wind dried the earth, and when the
citizens, parade, including Knights OF
Pythias. Tennessee State Guards. Com
pany A, Ohio National Guards, OF Nor
man. Ohio; the sponsors and maids OF
honor OF the Essenic Order, with brass
bands and Aying'cclors marched along
the decorated streets, the throngs for
got the cold and wind and dismissed
their forebodings.
At 8 o'clock Saturday the gates were
opened and the people began to arrive.
By IL o'clock, the hour. fixed for the
exercises in the auditorium, that build
ing was filed with 5000 people. On
the platform we're the exposition OIL
GERS and committees; Governor Tay-
lot and his staff; the chief justices and
associate justices of the supreme court
members of the womon's board; the
mayo4 of Nashville; United States Sem
ator W. B. Bates; Hon. j. W. Gaines,
and hundreds of prominent citizens.
The ceremonies were opened with
prayer by Right Rev. Thomas f.
Gailor, coadjutor bishop Of Tennessee.
After America" had been played IN
moct impressive manner, Major j.
W. Thomas, presidsdt of the Tennes.
see Exposition Company, arose and
made a short address, which was re
eeiyed with cheers and applause.
The next address was by Hon. Rob
ert L. Taylor, governor OF Tennessee
AS he advanced towards the front o
the platform the crowd arose as ont
man. and it was several minutes befor'
his excellency could proceed with hi
address.
At The conclusion OF the address tn
band struck up 'Dixie," and then tn
very earth itself seemed to shake. will
the thunders of applause. 1t was
sight never to be forgotten.
When order was restored, or rathe
when quiet once more reigned. Majo
e. G.. Lewis, the director general G
the association, under whose skillfr
guidance the marvellous project mate
rialized and came into being, steppe
forward, and as he did so the volum
of applause shook the very firmamen'
and it was at once seen that Tennessee
had looked upon the work Of her gifte
son and saw that it was good. His nt
dress was brief and very characteristi
of the man, who is described as bein
"a modest as he is able. Whatevt
, credit may belong to others for wor
, done in connection to the Tennessee
, centennial exposition, no one will COZ
test the director generai's claim to th
, chief part, and as some of the feature
os the exposition are to be permanen
il is safe to say that this great wor
. which he has achieved will be his mo
. enduring monument.
After making short address Mait
!, E. G. Lewis presented the keys
! President Thomas.
Then, at given signal, then Wiz
. | flashed the magic word to the Will
,, house at Washington, President M
: Kinley touched the button, and. as &
!. band played "HaiI Columbia," Z
machinery was set in motion and &
Tennessee centennial exposition "
open to the world. u
The exercises in the Auditoriu
Is ended, the people gathered around :
\ immense fountain representing electri
. ity. built by Moretti, to- witness t
4 cermony of its presentation to q
- acceptance by Mrs. ". l.. Kirkms
= president of the woman's- board
- Among the distinguished visitors
= the Auditorium were Vice-President
e. Stenson, of Illinois, and Govern
a Stephens, of Missouri, Open-air &C
" 4 certs and music in the AuditorlI
& attracted the growing crowds, and
the afternoon heightened the attei
|. ance fingered until after 10 o'clock.
- At night concerts by the band, ext
Z. siye fireworks and illumination
II grounds aud buildings by electric lig
dfew thousands in addition to tn
who waited on the grounds Tor
night programme. Conservative e.
of mates place the day and night atte
u ance at $4,000. Perfect order 7
e. vailed.
N, The state of Tennessee is the I
is State to celebrate her entrance into
ms union of States, and by so doing
of son is taught to the world that is
tai infinite value.
a With View to End the War.
- IL Is semi-oficially announced