The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-12-19
THE CORNERSTONE
LAID ON TUESDAY.
And South Carolina Exposl-
ton IS Under Way.
Special to The State.

GUSClai W 4dS Sk0sN.
Charleston, Dec. Ii The corner
stone of the textile baiiding or cotton
palace, the main building of the South
Carolina Interstate and West Indian
exposition, was laid this afternoon
with appropriate ceremonies.
The exercises were OF an interest
ing and elaborate charactar aud were
attended by several thousand pople
The grounds had been cleared, a
speakers stand and triumphal arch
erected. The stand and arch were
beautifully decorated The weather
was clear, brigh, and cool and was
zaost auspicious for the success of the
great enterprise which Charleston
has undertaken
The parade Of the troops was q
feature of the Gays's exercises The
infantry, naval reserves and the Ger
man Artillery and two military bands
were in line, under command of Maj
Henry Schachte. The militia passed
ia review of the distinguished guests
in the carriages, which fell into line
benind the troops. The parade NOV
ed off from the Fourth Brigade plaza
at 3 o'clock. aud in less than an hour
the column wheeled into the e1posl.
ton grounds and the exercises were
begun.
Ga the staod were ". A Hemphill,
of Atlanta. representing Gov Caudier ;
Gov McSweeney, Mayor Smyth, Grad
Master Orlando Sheppard, of the Grand
Lodge a F. NJ, a number of officers OF
the Grand Lodge. Geo Floyd, Presi-
dent E W Wagner. the arobisec.,
Bradley Gilbert and his special party :.
aoo directors Of tie exposition, ;uclud
ing Col Willie Jones number of
members Of the League Of American
Municipalities aDd macy other promi
nent people
Presideas Wagner called she assem-
blage TO orde. saG uake hrief address
oo the p!aps aud purposes o9 the ezpos'
ton aud introduced Mayor Suytb WHO
Presided. The maycr spoke briefly &c
taking the gavel. Gov McSweeoey
oexs spoke He vas followed BY Mr.
W A Hcmpai!l and others. The
speeches were intersperssG With music
by toe First Artillery band
The Masonic ceremonies followed tie
addresses. The ceremonies were of 3,
interesting aud impressive character
The Grand Lodge appeared 10 the
iosignia Of the order wearing white
gloves Esd aproes "Wbeo Earth S
Foundation Was First L2;d'' was suog
by SO select voices A prayer was
offered by the grand chaplain spd then
number Of articles we're deposited 10
the cornerstone box. Graod Master
Sheppard thee applied tie plumb,
sqea,e aud Level TO ,5e stone, sod after
it bad been properly placed, be pro
ooaoced it 10 be well formed true ana
sfus:y " The ceremony OF sprinkle
the Si00e WILD cCTO, vine dQu Oii "oo@S
significance is p:ea,y was then perform
ed
The gran5 master then struck The
stone three ames vita ais hiram aud
aootGer aelsc;ioo by ths choir ana
beoeaic.ioo coccoded the exercises
The tro~el which was used by Grsod
Mast-r Sheppard is toe sane voich vas
used a, the !ay.ag OF the cornerstone
of Geu DeKalbs mcBumeot at Camden,
s. G. by Marquis &c lafayette.
Alter the exercises special trslu
vas run to Sun ucrgiiIe a5d the e;s
.ioguishsd guests were enser'a'ned wiz
dioner st the Pice Forest ian
TIE stores closed shortly after ocoo
and business vas generally suseeadec,
giving the city she appearance OF a
ho d.y
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