The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-02
FIRST DAY OF THE SHOW
INFORMAL OPENING Or THE PAN
AMERICAN EXPOSITION.
Message of CongratuIation from the
President-Pretty Electrical Dis
play-Pigeons Released.

BUFFALO. N. Y, May 1.-The beautiful
electrical display tonight was the cui-
minating event of the opening day of the
Pan-American Exposition. The attendance
this morning was small. owing to the
threatening weather. which kept away
many from nearby towns. Later in the
day, when the sun broke through the gray
clouds, the crowd began TO assume the pro-
portions of an exposition throng. and to-
night thousands passed through the turn
stiles. The gates were opened this morn
ing without ceremony, the opening day
ceremonies having been postponed until the
20tn, when they will be combined with the
dedication day exercises.
The following message conveying the con-
CALCULATIONS of President Mckinley was re-
ceived from Secretary Cortelyou:
Memphis. Tenn, May 1.-The President
directs me TO convey his congratulations to
the citizens of Buffalo upon the auspicious
opening of the Pan-American Exposition,
so rich in blossom and ripe in expectations.
May the hopes and ambitions of its pro-
motors be realized TO the fullest extent"
At $3.50 o'clock the turnstiles clicked, and
lie first of the millions of people who will
visit the beautiful rainbow city during the
six months of its existence passed into the
grounus TO view and study the products of
American ingenuity and scientific research.
and the resources of the two continents of
the Western hemisphere which fill the mag
nificent buildings. beautiful in their archi-
tectural design, harmonious in their color
ing and interior decoration.
No ceremonies marked the opening of the
gates, it having been decided by the man
agement to combine the opening day cere-
monies with those of dedication day,
May 20.
William Hamlin was permitted. by agree
ing offered some time ago 10 pay $1,000 for
the privilege. The ticket was sent to him
yesterday.
At noon the government building was
thrown open and General Brigham, in
charge of the Smithsonian Institution
exhibit. as we'll as those of the National
Museum, the Interior Department. the Navy
Department. the Treasury Department, the
Fostoftce Department. the Fish Commits
sion and the Philippine exhibit were all
practically complete In detail. and the other
departments not far behind. The naval
exhibit includes models of all the types
OF warships now in the United States navy,
among them the battleships Iowa and
Texas, the cruiser Brooklyn, the ram Ka-
tahdin. the monitor Miantonomah, the
training ship Annapolis and the Inflated
Maine.
Much Of interest was to be seen in the
building devoted TO manufactures and lib
eral arts. Exhibits i'm the American build
ing were also assuming shape. In the Mid
way Bostock's animals. the Indian con-
gress, the Hawaiian village and other fea-
lures were ready for business and attracted
many of the visitors.
AT . o'clock a salute of forty-five aeridl
bonds was fired and simultaneously nun
dreds of flags were raised on the build
ings and grounds.
AT S o'clock I'm the morning a number Of
pigeons were released. Thirty-fivs 10 Gil
City. twenty-five to Clevelani and five each
TO Toledo and Pittsburg. Attached TO their
legs was this message:
y the People Of All the Americ3s-This
message of greeting, borne - You by car
rier pigeons. announces the opening of the
Pan-American exposition and extends TO
every one an invitation 10 participate In
the pleasure and benefits of tnis six
months festival
This was signed: William ]. buchanan,
director general. Buffalo, New York. L. s.
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