The Somerset reporter., 1903-05-07
The IT. Louis Exposition.

Thursday April Both was the opening
day Of The great Louisiana Purchase
Exposition or rather the day OF the dedi-
cation of the buildings OF the great fair.
In every way, save one, the exercises
were a SUCCESS, and this one circun-
stance was the weather. The wind blew
fiercely from he west, sending greai
clouds of dust into the faces of the
troops as they marched past the Presi-
dent, and at times go nearly binding the
President that T. was well nigh impos-
sible for him to see across the street
upon which the troops were marching.
Added to the discomfort of the wind
and Gust was temperature which
sought for the marrow and generally
reached it. The women, who on the
strength of the warm weather of the
day before, came In summer dresses TO
the reviewing stand, suffered keenly,
and but for the though fitness of Of
ficers commanding the guard thrown
around the reviewing stand, who provic-
ed them with blankets, many of them
would have been compelled to leave tn
place. Both President Roosevelt and
ex.Presdent Cleveland remained In the
reviewing stand, exposed to the icy
winds, until the end Of the parade.
although their fsces were blue and theif
limbs stiffened by the cod
The great military parade, which was
designed to be distinctiYely the show
spectacle of the dedication ceremonies,
proved to be all that its promoters could
wish and all that the regular army
officers, who controlled it, could hope
for. From end to end Of the line OF
march the cheers of the immense crowd
were as cordial as President Roosevelt's
approval. The parade in all features
was most beautiful and impressive
inaugural of the ceremonies. Although
Adjt. Gen. Henry c. Gorbin was the
grand marshal, the chief figure of the
parade, the active work of organizing
the columns and managing the parade
was done by Brig. Gen. John A. John
ston, U. S. A., and Lieut.. Col. E. A.
Goodwin, Ninth United States Cavalry,
Gen. Corbin's chief of staff. There were
II 200 men in line, 8, 100 being regulars,
with large representation of the
National Guard. New York was rep
resented by 1000 officers and men
Illinois, 1000; Iowa, $50; Missouri,
5000; Oklahoma, 200, and Ohio, 1000.
The doors Of the Liberal Arts Build.
ing were opened at O'Clock, and at 2. 10
when the President entered the build.
ing, he was greeted by prolonged APP
plause. At 2.25 the assembly was call
ed to order by President Francis. He
introduced Cardinal Gibbons, who deliv-
cred the invocation. Following the in.
vocation of the cardinal, Former Senator
Thomas II. Carter, of the national com.
mission, who acted as president of the
day, was introduced. He spoke briefly
on the work of commission. After the
rendition of "The Heavens Proclaiming'
by the chorus of 2, 900 voices, David X
Francis, president of the Fair Associa
ton, delivered the address presenting
the buildings of the fair to the President
for dedication. Then followed the dedi
cation address by President Roosevelt
after prolonged and repeated applause
had subsidized sufficient for him to begin.
Elk President Clevelands address follow.
ed and the benediction by Bishop Potter
of New York concluded the exercises OF
! the daV.