Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-06-11
MISSISSIPPTS
NEW CAPITOL
MAGNIFICENT Structure Dedicated on the Birth
day of Jefferson Davis.
PARADE A FEATURE OF THE DAY
More Than Twenty Thousand Loyal Citizens Of the State
Witness the snt-Cornerstone Laid With Masonic Cere-
nlonies-Orators Of Distinction Mingle History and
Eloquetce Under the Inspiration Of the Occasion

city. Many of the local Woodmen
camps have their full membership
strength here.
Members of other fraternal organi-
zations came as individuals, but they
are almost as abundant as the leaves
of the trees, especially the Odd Fell
lows and Elks. These two organiza-
tions kept open house throughout the
day.
Visitors From the Country.
Jackson is filled to overhowing, but
all of the visitors did not come by
rail. Not by any means. All of the
side streets are filed with the ami
mails and vehicles of nearby neighbors
from the country. Many people from
the rural districts left their homes in
wagons, buggies and carriages last
night and reached here by daylight.
They have come from all parts Of
Kinds, Rankin, Simpson and Madison
counties, and the number drawn from
this source surpasses even the as
semblies brought here on circus days.
Never before has it been 80 diff
cult to get from point to point on Jack
sons thoroughfares. Small boys
could do it by slipping between the
legs of grown folks; but others
to literally fight their way through
the almost solid walls of human be-
ings in the main business district,
and those who were wise made their
journeys along unfrequented side
streets.
Forming the Parade.
when will the parade start?" was
the question heard on all sides. and
al anxious expectancy was displayed
by the throng TO catch the first
glimpse of the stately procession as
IL moved away from the old state
houae. soon TO be deserted forever as
the seat OF the commemorative gov
ernment.
Toe formation OF the parade was
commenced shortly after 10 o'clock.
The national guardsmen were ready
10 fall in line at a moments notice,
but other organizations less disciplined
in military movement were somewhat
slow. All was hustle and excitement,
but IL was soon apparent that order
would soon be brought out Of chaos.
and Gen. Lowry, the grand marshal
of the day. kept staff of aides con-
rAdhAlN bANf NAA ms OtANhS ~ N.S
various commands.
A long line OF carriages stood on
South State street below the old cap
itol waiting for their occupants. and
occasionally could be heard the lively
airs Of music discoursed by the va
rious bands and the sharp bugle notes
sounded in the militia companies. The
most prevalent sound, however, was
the hum and buzz of the crowd, like
a huge hive of bees on summer day.
The densely packed streets were YER
table beehives of humanity, and all
were seeking for points of vantage
from which to view the procession.
Parade Starts.
Shortly before II o'clock Gov. Lon
gino aad the members of the capitol
commission, Attorney-General William
Williams, Maj. r. A. Dean, Capt. w.
G. Stovall, Judge R. H. Thompson and
former Attorney McClurg,
who had been invited to participate
with the commission in the ceremony,
emerged from the statehouse and took
seats in carriages at the head of the
parade. They we're closely followed
by Messrs. A. E. Wells. ]. E. Wells
and F. A Wells, general contractors;
| Mr.. Theo. Link, the supervising ar
chitect, their STATS of assistants and
the sub-contractors and special con-
tractors who have been employed cn
! the building.
Next came the State officials, who
entered their carriages, followed by
Mayor Hemingway and all the off,
cials of the city government.
Daughters of the Confederacy.
Mrs. Helen D. Bell and the mem
bers of the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy were assigned to carriages i'm
mediately behind the city officials.
They were followed by Maj. and Capt.
Lake, bearing the torn and tattered
battle flags of the Confederacy.
There were many notable features
in the parade, but the center of in
terest was the Confederate veterans.
The grizzled heroes of the Civil War
marched with a spirit and enthusiasm
that won for them much applause.
Many of them were clad in gray uni
forms, according to their respective
ranks, and the infantry, cavalry and
artillery marched in divisions. Oc-
casionally the squads and companies
were led by color-bearer carryil g
torn and tattered Confederate flag
which had been through many storms
of shot and shell.
The band of the First regiment, Mis-
sissippi National Guard, clad in full
regimentals, was the next in line, and
discoursed lively airs along the line
of march, as did also the Second reg
iment band, which was given promi-
nent position. Gov. Longino's staff
accompanied Maj.-Gen. Billups and
staff
The marching OF the State militia
evoked much enthusiasm along the
line of the parade The troops have
been undergoing careful drilling for
several weeks, a1d their marching
1 showed the effects of this work.
ColoneIs in Command.
The First regiment was commanded
| by Col. r. NJ Levy. of West Point; the
Second regiment by Col. c. r. Shan
non. of Ellisville, and the Third reg
iment by Col. L. w. Quackenboss. OF
Vicssburg. Nearly all the companies
contained their full quotas.
| The Sons of Veterans were assigned
to a position in line, and were com
manded by Gen. o. l.. Mckay, of Me-
ridian, the State commander.
Next came the labor unions OF
Jackson, all the trades being repre-.
sented, and many of these marchers
were workmen who have been en-
ployed on the new statehouse and were
therefore quite anxious to participate
in the demonstration.
The Woodmen of the World attract
| ed much attention. They were com
manded by Sovereign Commander j
! c. Root and several of the officers
of the national and State jurisdic'
tions
Various civic bodies and the fire de
partment of Jackson were next in line
the fire companies having their ap
paratus gaily decorated.