The Topeka state journal., 1903-04-30
Grounds Of the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exhibition
Are Formally Dedicated With
BETTING Ceremony.
10000 ASSEMBLED.
In the Big Auditorium to Wit
ness the Exercises.
Distinguished Guests from All
Parts of the World.
Diplomats, Congressman, Cover
nors, Generals, Noted Citizens.
MILITARY PARADE.
Eleven Thousand Regulars and
Militiamen in Line.
Addresses by President ROOse-
velt and Grover Cleveland.
WEATHER WAS COLD.
Women Wrapped Themselves in
Army Blankets.
Hen Stood Up With Hands in
Pockets.
WEATHER WAS COLD.
Women Wrapped Themselves in
Army Blankets.
Men Stood Up With Hands in
Pockets.

St Louis. Mo- April 8o.-The rites
which present the Louisiana Purchase
exposition to the world were perform
ed in the Liberal Arts building today
with all the dignity and splendor befit-
ting such an occasion
A parade of 1000 soldiers down Lin
dell boulevard to the Worlds fair
grounds formed a brilliant prelude to
the ceremony Of dedication.
Over $4,000 people crowded into the
big auditorium where. in the presence
of official repres entatives of all the
civilized nations OF the world. the words
Of dedication were spoken by the presi-
dent Of the United States AS the last
syllable fell from the speakers lips and
the dedicat tion OF one or the world's
greatest fairs was completed, $4,000
voices rose in a prodigious babble Of
applause.
President Roosevelt. ex-President
Cleveland and an imposing company
OF diplomatists, governors, senators,
congressional representatives,. govern
ment officials and Representatives of
the exposition came direct to the Lib
eral Arts building from the lunch which
was served in tents on the grounds.
President Roosevelt. former President
Cleveland President Francis of the
Exposition company, President Carter
of the Worlds fair commission. mem
bers Of the cabinet and the supreme
court took seats in the center of the
platform At the presidents right sat
the visiting diplomats. a distinguished
looking contingent which attracted
much attention. In this section also
were other distinguished foreigners and
representatives Of the state department
at Washington, headed by Assistant
Secretary of State LOOMS To the left
Of the president sat the joint delegation
of senators and representatives repre-
senting congress. The foreign commits
sioners to the fair and General Miles.
Adjutant General Corbin and General
john c. Bates with many others scarce
" less distinguished
A NOTABLE ASSENIBLAGE.
The two front sections of the audi
tcrium proper were occupied by the
governors Of states and their staffs the
national worlds fair commissioners. the
United States government board. Unit
ed States senators and congressman who
were not members Of the congressional
joint delegation and other notable
guests Across the aisIes was bril-
liantly gowned assemblage of women
including wives or guests of the men
connected with the ceremonies and the
Back of these rose tier upon tier the
thousands commonly spoken of as the
general public Those in the rear of
this contingent had difficulty in hearing
the speakers for the hall is a long ore
and the miles Of bunting and flags ex
hibiting the mingled cOlors of Spain
France and the United States. impaired
the acoustic properties Of the building
Although many could not hear. all could
see, and the rear guard cheered the ap-
pearance of the speakers as heartily a
the more fortunate ones did their
words.
Besides President Roosevelt other par
ticipants in the ceremony were Cardinal
Gibbons Bishops +. r. Hendricks and
Henry c. Potter. former President Cleve-
land Thomas H Carter. president OF
the day. and David r. Francis
At the conclusion of the speeches. to-
day being the Tooth anniversary of the
signing Of the treaty which transferred
the Louisiana purchase from France to
the United States. a centennial salute Of
100 aerial guns was fired
The dav's demonstrations Will CON
clude tonight with a display Of fire
works on a magnificent scale.
WEATHER WAS Rad
The weather was the only disappoint-
ing factor Of the day. The troops mob
iized early in sprinkle Of rain and
marched IN q tennera ture close to the
freezing point For a few moments
snow fell. but only enough Of it to give
visible evidence of the temperature In
lne grandstand men in their heavy over
coats shlVered. while women garbed III
elegant but inadequate laces suffered
much more severely
Mrs Odell. wife of the governor OF
New York Mrs. James L. Blair presi-
dent of the board Of lady managers and
p number Of others found relief in thick
army blankets furnished bv Captain
Larimere Of the First Missouri The
supply was soon exhausted aud the at.
tentive eaotain was left disconsolab.
with score Of untitled orders for a
time. Later a fresh supply was secure-
and the brilliant array Of gowns which,
mad graced the stand early. to quote one
of the ladies. took on tbs appearance