Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-20
FIRST GROUND BROKEN
Formal Exercises Held at Forest
Park, Site OF the Big
Fair In 1903.
Many Notable Persons Take
Part In the Profram-.First
Dirt Turned.
Ground for Educational Building
broken..Somethine About
the Fair.

st. Louis, Dec. 20.-The first public
celebration in connection with the
worlds fair, to be opened in st. Louis
In 1903 in commemoration of the Tooth
anniversary Of the Louisiana Purchase,
was held today, when ground was brok-
en- In the site in Forest Park. This day
was selected for the important event
because it is the anniversary Of the
tranfer Of the Louisiana territory to
the United States The day was a holi-
day In st. Louis and thruout Missouri.
AZ we'll as in most OF the purchase
states, whose governors issued procla-
nations asking for a general observ-
ance OF 1t as Louisiana Purchase Flag
Day" Great preparations for the event
had been made by the officials of the
worlds fair but owing to the unusual
severity Of the weather it was decided
to abandon some of the most striking
features and substitute others. 1t had
been intended that the formal exercises
at the site should be preceded by a milf
tary and civic parade.
AT the appointed time the directors
! and officers OF the exposition company,
General John c. Bates, Major Henry X
Hunter Fifteenth United States cavalry
other army officers, governors of states
and guests assembled at the st. Louis
Club. Carriages were taken and the
party was driven to Forest Park where
the ceremony OF breaking the ground
was carried out. A huge fire had been
built on the structural site of the edu-
cational building to soften the ground.
Arriving at the site the party assembled
at the place indicated and welded the
shovel In this order: President David
Francis, Treasurer w. H. Thompson,
Secretary Walter B. Stevens, General
Counsel Blair. Director of Exhibits
Skir, Director Of Works Taylor Chief
OF the Department of Education Rog-
ers, and architect of the educational
building, vice presidents of the exposi-
tive committee. representatives of the
worlds fair national committee and the
board OF lady managers and chairmen
of each of the standing committees of
the company. AS this part of the cere-
mony was being carried out battery A
OF the Missouri National Guard fired
sixty guns. During these proceedings
moving pictures Of the scenes enacted
and battery in action were taken by
biograph and mutascope company for
exhibition purposes In all parts Of the
world. At the conclusion of this part
of the ceremony, carriages We're re-en-
tered and the party was driven down
town Stopping at the armory OF the
First Infantry Missouri National
Guard, Col Sinclair commanding, the
party was received with military hon
ors and escorted to the Coliseum, where
the remainder Of the program was car
ried out. The immense han of the Coli
scum was crowded with thousands of
persons. among whom were many chill
dren, the public schools having been
closed for the day On the platform at
one side OF the Coliseum, decorated
with United Stated flags and banners
and bunting Of red white and blue and
yellow, the official colors of the expo
sftton company, were seated the OIL
GERS Of the worlds fair, municipal Off
ciais. Congressman James A Tawne and
Worlds Fair National Commissioner
John M. Allen. orators of the day, gov
ernorS OF states national commission
err, members OF the board Of lady man
ayers, Cen. Bates and StaH and other |
Invited guests.
The exposition will be held in celebra- |
ton OF the centennial Of what is known
in history az the Louisiana purchase. BY !
this transaction the United States gov
ernment in 1903, secured from France
all the land lying between the Mississip-
pi river and the Rocky mountains. an
area OF more than million square miles
and exceeding the territory OF the /
United States at that time. Fourteen
states and territories have been created I
out OF the Louisiana territory, having a
total present population OF about 49,
600, 900. and an estimated wealth Of $780,
GOO, 900, 900. The citizens and corporations
OF st. Louis raised by private subscrip-
ton 100000, the municipality of st.
Louis has added $5,o000O0, the state OF
Missouri appropriated 100000 and the
United States has given its endorsement
and help to the extent Of $5,00O,000, be-
sides appropriating $250,000 for the gov
mental buildings. Appropriations have
been made by several states ranging
from $4,000 to $250,000.
On the Goth OF August last the presi-
dent of the United States issued proc
lamation addressed to all the nations of
the world inviting them to participate In
the worlds fair at st. Louis. This invi-
tation was delivered thru diplomatic
channels to the heads of the various
and favorable replies have
been received from a large number of
them, indicating a Worldwide interest
In the exposition.
The site is in the western part Of the
city. the authorities having set aside
more than 600 acres of Forest Park, and
an adjacent area having been secured
makes q total Of nearly 1000 acres. In
cluded In the fair grounds are the
buildings and grounds of Washington
valued at $3,0o0,000.
The principal buildings for the expo
sition are to be arranged according to a
plan somewhat in the form
,f fan in the northeastern part OF
the Forest Park section. The principal
vista will be that from the main en-
france looking southwest some three
quarters .,f a mile to the art palace.
which will crown an eminence fifty feet !;
,bove the general level Of the main {
buildings. This avenue will be 500 feet {
vide and there Will be a transverse ave- !