Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-20
DEDICATION DAY
For the Great Pan-American
Exposition at Buffalo.
Vice Pres. Roosevelt and Mary Dix
tinguished Guests Arrive.
II Pleasant Estimated that 10000 People
Will Be Present.

Eunalo. n. Y. May 19.-The eve of
the Gcdicat ion of the Pan-American
Exposition sees welcome break in a
chcerless rain storm. city gay in Il
dress of bunting and a happy people
proved Of the req liza ton Of their hope
and work Of two years. Tomorrow at
noons> after q parade partly military
and partly civic, with ceremonies of
dignity becoming to the occasion, the
great fair will be dedicated to the lib
cral and peaceful arts which it typi-
fies.
Dedication day will find the magic
city of rainbows almost ready for its
pleasure seeking population. The great
buildings of the Exposition city are
practically completed but the installa-
ton of exhibits has proceeded very
slowly and completeness in that re-
spcct stretches away to some indefinite
date in June.
There has been a concentration of
energy in the effort to prepare the Ex
position grounds for the opening ccre-
monies and an immense amount has
been accomplished in the last "A hours.
An army of 5000 men engaged exclu-
slvcly in cleaning the buildings,
grounds and streets, and thousands of
carpenters and painters and other ar
t.sans are at work on and in the build
! ings. The las: of the net work of scat
folding that for two weeks has cnvel-
opcd buildings and towers. is being
torn away and the exterior view, to-
morrow. will be marred by but few
| siGns of incompletencss.
| The scenes within the grounds, to-
day. were interesting ones. The sun
| fought its way through rain and clouds
by neon and a bright afternoon brought
| thousands of visitors from their homes
and their hotels. The tenants of the
Midway. idle Tor the day. and many
! of the attendants at the foreign eX-
hibits mingled with the crowd and
gave it n cosmopolitan air. The Next
| can hand played a concert on the plaza
and drew 4 large crowd about the
stand. The buildings looked superb in
the bright sunlight and won the praise
of all who saw them for the first time.
| The size and the extent of the Ex-
position grounds prove surprise to
many and the truly artistic effect of
design and color gnds unanimous ap-
prevail.
/
Of successful day depend upon the
! continuance Of clear weather. The city
is filling rapidly with visitors. and if
| tomorrow dawns bright il is estimated
that 100000 persons will participate in
the ceremonies. 1t is to be a holiday
here in Euffalo and all of the surround
ing cities and towns are TO send in
holiday crowds. One large manufacture
| in, h1c ho,tr-ht rt,IY.fe 10 C
900 employees and will send them into
I! the city by three special trains and
iE Il smaller way the same feeling OF
generosity is being manifested every
where in this vicinity.
| The roster of distinguished visitors
| is being added to by almost every
| tain. Vice President Roosevelt, aC-
companicd by members of his family
arrived. tonight. and is a guest at the
homc of John G. Milan. president OF
the Exposition.
Senators Hanna and Henry Cabot
Lodge reached here. today. and spent
| the afternoon mt the grounds. The
members Of the st. Louis Exposition
directorate were conspicuous visitors
! and an official party from Rhode Is
land included Governor and Mrs. VIM
Gregory. Lieut.. Gov. and Mrs. Kim
ball and Adjutant Gen. and Mrs
Sackct. Lieut.. Gov. Timothy Woodruff
spent the afternoon ut the grounds and
| was enthusiastic over what he saw
Speaking of the Exposition. he said
Really. this is the most beautiful
fair 7 have ever seen. I have been to
two Paris eXpositions. the Columbia
Exposition at Chicago. and all minor
ones. like Atlanta. Nashville and Oma
ha. but this is more beautiful than any
of them
The directors of the st. Louis Expo-
sition were banquetted. tonight at the
Iroluois Hotel by the directors Of the
Pan American. Former Gov ID, NJ
Francis of Missouri. president of the
st. Louis Exposition. said:
I'VE are more than pleased with
what we have seen, today. Of the Pan
American Exposition grounds. We
think these Buffalo people have done
marvellous things for the money they
have had in hand and for the time they
have employed in preparation. We
think that the color scheme is thing
Of beauty. and that it will be joy
forever. This alone in our opinion will
well repay long journey of 1000 miles
to See