The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-21

Buffalo, May 20.-In the presence
of vast concourse of people, with
ceremonials both conventional and
novel, the Pan-American exposition
was dedicated formally today. The
day was fair and tonight the indus
trious, energetic men who planned
this great enterprise rejoice in it's
| flattering success.
The day began with parade in
| which there were men from nearly
every country in the world and ended
| with an aerial bombardment from fly
| ing bombs and a brilliant electrical
| illumination. Between the two were
the formal exercises OF the dedication
| with oratory that took it's theme from
| the lesson of time, prayer music,
song and poetry.
The record of attendance for the
day was fully up to the expectations of
the most enthusiastic. There was no
complaint over delayed exhibits, for
there were spectacular things enough
to weary the most ardent sightseer
before the coming of night. The pro-
cession that formed at the city hall
and marched by way of the principal
grounds was an interesting spectacle
and thousands of people lined the
route.
The day was a battle of sun and
clouds for victory, but the crowd was
not restrained by weather conditions.
There was a large crowd of distin-
guished visitors, foreign commission
ers and others at the city hall. Vice
President Roosevelt was the guest of
honor, and when he reached the hall
the parade was started. Two thous-
and troops who got their time from
four bands led the way and after them
were the carriages with guests. Be
hind them came the concessionaries
from the Midway. Western Indians
mingled with the children of the trop-
les, Orient and Mediterranean and
gave the procession it's truest touch
of color. They were in native cos
tune. had score of floats and bands
furnished them music.
! The entrance of the procession to
the exposition grounds at noon was a
magnificent spectacle. The crowd in
the grounds at the time numbered
fully 100000 and the greater part of it
was massed in the esplanade. Dozens
of great wave kites carrying stream
ers floated high in the air. The pro-
cession was halted in the fore court
and then formed in double column
across the bridge of triumph. Off
cials and guests left their carriages,
marched through the line of troops
and then kept on to the esplanade
beyond.
President Milburn of the exposition,
and Vice-President Roosevelt led the
way and the crowd cheered them as
they advanced. A hundred yards more
and they halted and at the other end
of the esplanade several thousand car
rier pigeons were released. Confused
at first by their number, they circled
at first in wild flight and subsequently
scared aloft on graceful wing. High
up where they got their bearings,
they parted and took flight to every
quarter of the compass. Below the
crowd looked on in silent admiration.
The vice-president and party then
filed on into the Temple of Music and
the parade, reforming, marched on
through the grounds.
The formal dedicatory services in
the presence of crowd limited only
by the size of the hall, were impres.
sive. There were strong words for a
closer unit among American republics
and the words of Vice-President Roose.
welt on that point and the congratu.
latory kilograms Of the presidents Of
American republics excited the great.
est enthusiasm. All of the American
republics were represented at the ded
ication and their military attaches
and commissioners were given conspi