The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-19
IS CELEBRATING
THE CENTENNIAL,
New Orleans Dons Gayest Robes
in CommemOratiOn of LOuisi-
ana Purchase Transfer.
FRANCIS PROMINENT FIGURE.
President and His Party of
Worlds Fair Officers Witness
Naval Review and Attend
Colonial Ball.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New Orleans. La. Dec 1S.-President
David r. Francis. accompanied by nine
teen other Worlds Fair officials and Dr.
rectors of the great enterprise. arrived in
New Orleans from st. Louis this after
noon at 2:55 o'clock, to take part in the
exercises commemorative the centennial
of the transfer Of the Louisiana Pur-
chase to the United States
Immediately upon their arrival the
visitors We're driven to the ST Charles
naval reserve shiD Stranger. from which
they. with Governor Heard and the other
aistinsuished guests OF the occasion. par
ticipated in the review of the allied fleet
Of France and the United States.
After dining with Mayor Capdevielle,
PRESIDENT Francis attended the colonial
ball in the French Opera-housa tonight.
me PRESIDENT. with his suite and compan-
ions. Will take part in the further cere-
monies commemorative the transfer of the
Louisiana Territory tomorrow and Sun
day.
ST. LOUIS PARTY.
There are in the party with President
Francis the following: Francis d. Hirsch-
berg. chairman OF the Reception and En-
tertainment Committee; Jules Boeufve
Assistant French Commissioner General
Committee upon Reception and Entertain
ment; Theodore Hardee. assistant secre-
tary OF Inc Committee upon Reception and
Entertainment: ]. c. Thompson. secretary
directors: l.. d. Dozier. W. T. Haarstick,
W. F. Boyle. August Hummer. w. F.
Nolker. AuEustuS 3, Hart, Julius J. schot-
Alex n. De Menil, James Campbell, n, NJ.
Bell and John d. Davis.
PARTY DELAYED.
The party arrived over the Illinois Cen
trail Railroad three hours behind sched-
uled time. and was met by the following
committee of New Orleans men: Colonel
J; p. Hill. chairman: ?. NJ. Westfeldt.
Spearing. Seven carriages conveyed the
visitors and their escorts to the st.
Charles Hotel. where baggage and sur
plus wraps were discarded and the Jour-
street and the naval review.
NAVAL REVIEW.
When the river front was reached II
was found that the United States ship
Stranger already had left her mornings,
gone down the river. and was even then
upon the return journey of inspection past
the fleet of the friendly ships of France
and America. In accordance with ar
rangements. which had been made when
the Stranger was forced 20 leave Canal
board the Mabel Comeaux and followed
the Stranger in her Journey past the fleet.
This was about 100 o'clock. and at $3.50
o'clock. when the Stranger came to anchor
abreast the French protected commerce
destroyer. Just off Lafayette street. Presi-
dent Francis and his companions were
transferred from the steamboat to the
Naval Reserve vessel.
After lunch was served. and after Gov
ernor Heard left the Stranger on the naval
station launch for his visits to the Mime
a rry Tor nlrnn
Topeka and Hartford. In the order named.
President Francis and his party left the
Stranger for headquarters at the ST.
their journey and prepared for the gay
cites of the evening.
AT THE COLONIAL BALL.
Mr.. Francis and the st. Louis deiega-
ton attended the ball tonight at the
French Opera house. The delegation was
with Governor Heard. the Wis
iting naval officers and the French Am
,assador. Mr.. Francis and his friends
were highly pleased at the manner in
which they were entertained.
After the ball Mr.. Francis said that II
was the prettiest affair he had ever had
the pleasure Of witnessing. either in Eu-
rore or America.
The ballroom scene was beautiful In ev-
Try sense of that word. AS in carnival
lines. an stubc was puiit over
he parquet seats in the old opera-house
md the stage served as the dancing plat |
'orm. The various colonial Dances which |
lad been specially arranged. were beau |
.ifuEy carried into effect.
The dance figures" the r1inuet and the |
,avotte, the three specially. arranged |
lances, were the events of the lengthy |
programme and great interest was mani |
'estcd in these. The young ladies and |
non who took part could hardly have done |
better, and in every movement they |
showed the result of the long teaching |
md trimming. After the ceremonies Mr.. |
Francis ard the delegation went to their |
lotel.
In to-morrow's programme they will &C.
,upy an important part.
FRANCIS PLEASED.
All members of the st. Louis delegation
we're enthusiastic in their expressions Of
appreciation of the New Orleans welcome
nd the further pleasures they. anticipated
Turing the centennial celebration.
This local celebration Is one of the
most important of the features which Will
cad to the final opening of the Worlds
Fair in st. Louis next year, SAID Presi-
lent Francis this evening.
THAT your city Is practically crowded
With strangers, and that all your citizens
'how unbounded enthusiasm In the cele.
,ration, merely serves to demonstrate that
,rcat interest has been aroused every
where In the country by the anniversary
celebration of the purchase OF the Louisi-