Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-06-11

Jackson, Miss, June 3.-The corner
stone of Mississippfs new capitol
building was laid today.
II is Jefferson Davis birthday, as
well as the first of a new era in Mis-
sissippi's history.
With a wealth of display and profu-
sion of ceremony unequaled in the his
tory of Mississippi the formal dedlca-
ton of the magnificent building that
marks a 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 a parade passed along
her thoroughfares; ald never before
has such unbounded enthusiasm aad
exuberance of spirit been shown by
a multitude.
A light rain, at times only mist,
fell throughout the morning, but II
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 dl-
visions.
Not only was the crowd the largest
ever assembled in Jackson, but il was
at any point in the commonwealth.
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 a correct estimate of the
size of the assembly is leXt to impossi-
BILE. IL would be almost like number
ing the leaves on the trees or the sands
on the sea shore. Some say II was
$4,000 and others place the number
at 10000.
ANY way. Il was an immense con
course of Mississippis best citizen
ship, gathered to do honor 10 the oc-
casion and to gaze on the splendid
domicile 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. IL has been
a 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
Lost Cause, who had planned for two
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 hu-
man cargoes at the depot in squads,
assemblies and battaliols. On each
incoming train 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
the visitors apparently had no lnclina-
ton to 60 to bed, ald spent the night
taking in the sights and scenes OF
the capital city by electric light.
The Big Rush.
At s o'clock the thoroughfares were
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-
ton.
1t 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
line of march and answered q multi
tude of other questions with the great
est of good will.
Companies Of National Guard.
Interspersed with the throng from
the special trains were the companies
of the Mississippi National Guard.
The soldier boys left their homes at
an early hour, with many of them it
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-
ton to the improvised military camp
at City Hall Park, where breakfast
was being served throughout the
morning.
Twenty-one special trains for the
regular visitors reached the station
during the morning, and five specials
were required to haul the national
guardsmen. The freight yards have
been blockaded with long lines of pas
senger coaches throughout the day,
rendering the handling of the regular
traffic very difficult.
Came by Towns.
To witness the Decentralization of
the crowd at the depot it looked like
some of the small surrounding towns
had been picked up bodily and dumped
into Jackson; for practically their en-
tire population was aboard, and ii is
safe to assert that there has been
nothing doing in the country" to-
day.
Brookhaven. for instance, is esti.
mated to have 1000 of her citizens
here. and other nearby communities
are equally well represented, proper
tionate to population. 1t is said that
nobody but the town constable re-
manned in Brandon, and he entered
a strenuous objection to being left
behind to keep watch over the Rankin
capital.
Civic Bodies.
OF the frateraal organizations the
Masonic fraternity has the largest
representation on the ground. The
Knights Templar are especially abun.
dant, members being here from most
of the Communicates in the State.
The Woodmen of the World also
have large delegations in the city to
greet Sovereign Commander j. c,
Root and the other sovereign officers
who are the guests of the capital