Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-10
NOTABLE GATHERING
As President Mckinley Yields
the Trowe| in Chicago
And Lays the Corner Stone Of the
Handsome Federal Building.
Immense Crowds Gather 10 Witness Ceremony
and the Afternoon Parade.

Chicago, Oct. 9.-Surrounded by men
who guide the diplomatic relations Of
three governments and in the presence
Of thousands of spectators, President
William Mckinley, today, formally laid
the corner stone of the magnificent new
Federal building of Chicago. The event
was the browning feature of the weeks
celebration, marking the annual observ-
ance OF Chicago day. Long before the
hour set for the ceremonies, the streets
surrounding the block on which the
steel skeleton of the new building
stands were packed from curb to curb
with pushing. jostling people, anxious
to get Il glimpse Of the nations Presi-
dent and the distinguished visitors from
other countries, while every window in
the gaily decorated sky scrap.rs sur
rounding the federal building itself was
taken advantage Of.
Even on the steel Orders Of the Fed
eral building iself were perchcd hun
drcds of venturesome ones In the angle
formed by the south and west wings of
the Federal building at Jackson boule-
ward and Dearborn street, in front of
the Union League Club building re-
viewing stands had been erected for the
the accommodation OF the distinguished
visitors. including Vice President
Mariscal and party of Mexico. Premier
l.aurier Of Canada, and other notables
Of that country; members Of President
Mckinlcy's cabinet and the diplomatic
corps at Washington: senators and
congressman ana other invited guests.
and when President Mckinley threw
the first trowel Of mortar under the up
lifted block Of limestone and pronounc-
ed the corner stone set. one Of the
most notable gatherings ever seen in
Chicago looked on.
Shortly before 10 o'clock a roar of
cheers from down jackson boulevard
announced the coming of President Nc
kinley and his party. II was with con-
siderable difficulty that the troops of
cavalry and the police forming the
Presidents escort could clear a space
wide enough for the carriages contain
ing the President and members of his
cabinet and other guests to pass and
as the carriages slowly made their way
UP the boulevard towards the Federal
building the applause became terrific
ana continuous. The President quickly
arose and DOTTED his hat in response
At the entrance of the Union League
Club the President and members of his
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pa = '''7 '''V' anu "i''' d ~ IL! ie'eP-
ton We're escorted across Jackson
boulevard to the platform in front of
tho E.dor,I h,,i1d;n, ,,a,.fa,+ h,,,.,.i
-, al "''ii'ii'it7' :, pei ie'' Hui IL
cane OF cheers greeted the President as
he was escorted to the dais at the side
of which the corner stone was suspend
oJ ro,dv rn,. III, o,ro,,,o, tn, Ri
~ 'S i"i '''V 'Vio'h'"S' Inc ieHl-
uent warmly greeted the officials, then
Turned ana hnv,d IN tba ,raun af
49, ~ ~ Si"up ~
braWney-armed Workmen who We're to
complete the LAYING Of the corner stone
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- n 'i'h NoiiiSaat' 'htir man
81 the committee on ceremonies. intro
duced Secretary Of the Treasury ~
man J. Gage as presiding officer far tho