The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-08
1EhnEssEE's centennial.
From Now Until the Last Day Of October
the Gates Of the
WONDER WORLD WILL Be WIDE OPEN.
Visitors Revel in the Maze of Whirl-
ing Wheels or Clanking Engines,
or While Away Pleasant Hour III
Vanity Fair-Opening Ceremonies.

Followinga night Of cold, dreary,
forbidden rain, q night casting gloom
over an entire city, where all the peoz
pie were anxious for the opening Of
bright May morning with which to cell
citrate the actual opening of the Ten
nessee centennial exposition, came
day surprising and deljghting 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 Essehic Order, with brass
bands and flying colors marched along
the decorated streets, the throngs for
got the cold and wind and dismissed
their forebodings.
At S o'clock Saturday the gates were
opened and the people began to arrive.
By II o'clock, the hour fixed for the
exercises in the auditorium, that build
ing was filled with 5000 people. On
the platform were the exposition Off
GERS and committees; Governor lay
lor and his staff; the chief justices and
associate justices of the supreme court
members of the womon's board; the
mayor of Nashville; United States Sen
ator W. B. Bates; Hon. j. W. Gaines,
and hundreds Of prominent citizens.
The ceremonies were opened with
prayer by Right Rev. Thomas I.
Gailor, coadjutor bishop of Tennessee.
After "America" had been played in
q most impressive manner, Major j.
". Thomas, president of the Tennes-
see Exposition Company, arose and
made O short address, which was re-
ceived with cheers and applause.
The next address was by Hon. Rob
ert L. Taylor, governor of Tennessee.
AS he advanced towards the front Of
the platform the crowd arose as one
man, and it was several minutes before
his excellepcy could proceed with his
address.
At the conclusion of the address the
band struck up "Dixie," and then the
very earth itself seemed to shake with
the thupders Of applause. 1t was a
sight never to be forgotten.
When order was restored, or rather
when quiet once more reigned, Major
E. G. Lewis, the director general of
the association, under whose skillful
guidance the marvellous project mate
rialized and came into being, stepped
forward, and as he did so the volume
of applause shook the very armament,
and it was at once eeen that Tennessee
had looked upon the work of her gifted
son and saw that it was good. His ad-
dress was brief and very characteristic
of the man, who is described as being
as modest as he is able. Whatever
credit may belong to others for work
done in connection to the Tennessee
centennial exposition, no one will con-
test the director generals claim to the
chief part, and as some Of the features
Of the exposition are to be permanent,
it is safe to say that this great work
which he has achieved will be his most
enduring monument.
After making short address Major
E. G. Lewis presented the keys to
President Thomas.
Then, at given signal, the wires
flashed the magic word to the white
house at Washington, President Nc
Kinley touched-the button, and, as the
band played "Hail Columbia" the
machinery was set in motion and the
Tennessee centennial exposition was
open to the world.
The exercises in the Auditorium
ended, the people gathered around the
immesse fountain representing electric
ity, built ~ Morett, to witness the
cermony &s its presentation to and
acceptandNby Mrs. V. L. Kirkman,
president 1T the woman's board.
Among the distinguished visitors at
the Auditorium were Vicc-P President A.
E. Stenson, of Illinois, and Governor
Stephens, q Missouri. Open.Gr con-
certs and music in the Auditorium
attracted the growing crowds, and as
the afternoon heightened the attend
ance fingered until after 10 o'clock.
At night concerts by the band, extern
sive fireworks and illumination of
grounds and buildings bJ electric lights
drew thousands in addition to those
who waited on the grounds for the
night programme. Conservative esti-
mates place the day and night attend
ance at $4,000. Perfect order. pre-.
vailed.
The state of Tennessee is the first
State to celebrate her entrance into the
union of States, and by so doing Q les.
son is taught to the world that is o.
infinite value.
Banker Winstandley Acquitted.