The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-03
impressive Ceremonies Witnessed
by Crowds From all Over
the Union.
Gov. FERGUSON'S ADDRESS
Is SPLENDID Declaration Cavalry Band Captures
Nissouri---In Parade With Roosevelt
Gossip Concerning Oklahomans.

Especial Correspondence Of the Eagle)
ST Louis. May 2.-The corner stone OF
the Oklahoma building at the St Louls
exposition was laid this morning Win
appropriate ceremonies. It was the one
event toward which Oklahoma visitors IN
the city had been looking forward 10
with much anticipation. Arrangements
for corner stone laying had been made
weeks ago and it has been the ambition
md desire Of the Oklahoma commission
TO make the event successful in every
respect. which was the case. Not only
were Oklahomans present at the corner
stone laying, but many other persons
witnessed the ceremonies.
The construction of the Oklahoma
building has not yet been commenced
but the corner stone was laid on ped
estal. This gave much more pleasing
effect than was the case in Che corner
stone LAYING of other buildings on the
exposition grounds. The oklahoma com
mission selected splendid site for the
building. and when erected the structure
will attract much attention during the
exposition.
The program Of the event follows:
Music-Olllah oma Cavalry band.
Song America by assembly, accom-
panied by Oklahoma Cavalry band
Prayer by Chaplain Job Ingram, OF the
First Regiment, o. \. G.
Song. Star Spangled Banner'-Mrs. A
Honrighous. Guthrie
Dedicatory Address-Gov. T. B. Fergu-
son.
CT 4
Geo. W Steele.
Music Oklahoma Cavalry band.
Address. oklahoma. the Next Star on
the Flag Ex-Governor ". NJ. Jenkins.
Address. Oklahoma and Missouri -
Ex-Governor \. J. Seay.
Music-Oklahoma Cavalry band.
The Oklahoma commission to the expo
sition. consisting Of Joseph Meibergen.
Of Enid: otto Shuttee, Of El Reno, and
Fred l. Wenner of Kingfsher, had
charge Of the ceremonies, having made
all arrangements for the corner stone
laying. The corner stone attracted much
attention. being donated by Kay county
people It IS a fine specimen of an Okla
homa product.
Ferguson's Address.
:
1T is a proper thing for us to do.
Standing near the banks of the magnih-
cent. historic L ather Of Waters at that
place long famous as the limit of our
western frontier. the former way out
west the sunset land which once lived
almost as much in the mind of the east
erner in romance as in reality, in this
splendid city, the favorite child of the
western empire, it Is well that We erect
these oGidces rs monuments 10 American
enterprise and dedicate them to the di-
vinity of national progress.
History. FURNISHED at times by inter
esting tradition. has handed down to US
as heritage Of the past many incidents
that tend to draw our minds and our
hearts to the spot which has been Sc
lected as the place to celebrate the ami
versary Of the event that resulted in the
acquisition Of the greatest domain ever
added to this or any other nation, con-
sidering extent of area, resources and
results along the lines Of development
and promotion and extension of civiliza-
ton. Down yonder mighty river glidet
the birchen canoe OF the Jealous Jesuit
who landed and claimed the soil upoI
which we now stand in the name OF
Louis. the French king. and as tradition
says. declared that all the lands between
the great river and the sunset belonged
TO the crown Of France forever. The
story Of the western settlements. ST
Louis and Kaskaskia. must thrill the
heart of every American who recount
with pride the trials and fluctuations. thu
feverses and defeats. but the final glor
ious triumph of the sturdy pioneers whC
in days gone BY dared TO encounter tn,
dangers Of the wilderness. and by thei
irresistible energy transformed it into
land Of magnifcence and grandeur.
George Rogers Clarke.
''These western settlements were no
unknown TO fame during the war for in
dependence. II was from one of thes
outposts that the heroic George Roger
Clarke started with his band of intrepi,
patriots whom he led through dangerou
forests. over prairie marshes and acros
rushing rivers. 10 tear down the Britis
ensign and plant the starry banner @
Ino coming republic upon the banks o
The Wabash. having already raised il trt
umphautly near the waters of the grea
Mississippi The spirit which actuate
the Jesuit when H. entered upon his pei
nous Journey Of exploration has neve
died out in the west The same indonit
able spirit that sent q LaSaue or Mar
Quette down yonGe- river. through IN
wilderness and danger q every charaG
ter. upon mission Of civilization. la
actuated and inspired the pioneers WI
have from that Gay 10 The present bee
buiiding upon the foundation laid So we
by the early explorers Of the great ives
Every stone that viii Dc placed. an
every cditce that VIII De erected durin
the preparation for the great expositio
20 b opened here next year. viii De
monument 10 American energy and her,
ism. Yes. every stone placed and ever
structure raised win ten story Of
mighty conflict and "A glorious trump
viii record the achievement ~ a stupent
Gus undertaking.
The Spanish Conquered.
when we recall the story OF old S
Louis many pictures or thrilling seen
fash across the landscape Of The pas
II was here that the Spanish comman
ant held forth In The name q the mo
arch of Spain. Il was from this pla
that the Lewis and Clarke expedition le
the last trace OF civilization aud pen