The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1903-06-13

Jackson Miss, June 3.-The corner
stone of MississippPs new capitol
building was laid today.
II is Jefferson Davis birthday, as
well as the first of new era in Mis-
slssippi's history.
With a wealth of display and profu-
sion of ceremony unequaled In the his
tory of Mississippi. the formal dedica-
tion of the magnificent building that
marks new epoch in our history and
development took place this afternoon.
Today has been Jackson's greatest
event. Never before has such crowd
assembled within her gates; never be-
fore has such parade passed along
her thoroughfares; a1d never before
has such unbounded enthusiasm a1d
exuberance of spirit been shown by
multitude.
A light rain, at times only a mist,
fell throughout the morning, but 1t
did not dampen the ardor of the crowd
and the only evil effect was to mar
somewhat the start of the parade, and
cause a separation of the various di-
visions
Not only was the crowd the largest
ever assembled in Jackson, but it was
the greatest that has ever gathered
Citizens in all the walks of life and
from all parts of the State poured in
to the capital city by the thousands
and spent the day on the gaily deco
rated streets and at the new state
house witnessing the imposing cere-
monies
Crowd Hard to Estimate.
To make correct estimate of the
size of the assembly is next to impossi-
BILE. 1t would be almost like number
ing the leaves on the trees or the sands
on the sea shore Some say it was
$4,000 and others place the number
at 10000.
Any way, 1t was an immense con-
course of Mississippi's best citizen.
ship, gathered to do honor to the oc-
casion and to gaze on the splendid
doGicile OF government that so proud
ly sits on the old penitentiary site,
where once grim walls, strong bars
and armed guards met the vision OF
the visitor
With lavish hospitality Jackson has
entertained her guests, and accorded
them the best possible treatment un-
der the circumstances. 1t has been
severe strain, and would have taxed
the entertaining facilities of many
larger cities. Jackson has done her
best and nobody can do more.
The Arriving Multitude.
Since early yesterday morning all
trains entering the city have been
loaded to the limit with visitors. The
reunion of the Mississippi division of
the United Confederate Veterans
brought many Of the heroes of the
hn had nj ad fnr a WI
days stay at the capital, and at least
as many others who came in advance
OF the corner stone event in order to
make sure of board and lodging.
The night trains dumped their hui
man oargoes at the depot In squads,
assemblies and battalio1s. On each
incoming train a majority OF the pas
sengers were headed for Jackson. and
some OF the roads were unable to keep
up with their schedules on account OF
the heavy traffic.
All Tuesday night the streets wore
an animated appearance. Some. OF
.ne visitors apparently had no inclina-
uon to go to bed, a1d spent the night
taxing IN the sights and scenes OF
ehe capital city by electric light.
The Big Rush.
alive with people, but the big rush
was yet to come. Shortly after that
hour the special trains commenced to
arrive at the Union Station, and the
scene was one of the greatest anima-
tion
II is the custom of all crowds in
mississippi to be good natured when
out for celebration, and this crowd
was not an exception. The best OF
good feeling prevailed, and the peo-
pie answered each others inquiries,
explained the program of the day, the
hne OF march and answered a multi
tude OF other questions with the great
est OF good will.
Companies of National Guard.
lnterspersed with the throng from
the special trains were the companies
oI the Mississippi National Guard.
Inc soldier boys left their homes at
an early hour, with many Of them il
being necessary to start Tuesday
night, but they all looked fresh and
spirited, and in response to the sharp
commands of their leaders marched
with precise step and regular forma-
uon to the improvised military camp
al City Hall Park, where breakfast
was being served throughout the
morning.
Twenty-one special trains for the
regular visitors reached the station
ourlng the morning, and five specials
were required to haul the national
suardsmen. The freight yards have
oeen blockaded with long lines of pas
sehger coaches throughout the day,
.enaering the handling OF the regular
uaffc very difficult.
Came by Towns.
TO witness the Decentralization of
me crowd at the depot IL looked like
solne OF the small surrounding towns
nag nad been picked up bodily and dumped
.. .a'o Jackson; for practically their en-
uae population was aboard, and ii Is
sale 10 assert that there has been
day.
brookhayen. for instance, Is esti-
mated TO have 1000 OF her citizens
I'VE and other nearby communities
-'s equally well represented, propor