Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-05-06
ROOSEVELT SPEAKS.
A Fierce Wind Prevailed and the
Cold Was Severe.
MEMORABLE OCCASION INST, LOUIS
Roosevelt the Only One Whose Voice
Could be Heard Fifty Feet From
the Rostrun1.

st. Louis, Special.-The buildings of
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
were formally dedicated Thursday,
with all pomp and ceremony In every
way, save one, the exercises were
success, and this one circumstance was
the weather. The wind blew fiercly
from the west, sending great clouds
OF dust whirling into the faces OF the
troops as they marched past the Presi-
dent. and at times so nearly binding
the President that it was well nigh
impossible for him to see across the
street upon which the troops were
marching. Added to the discomfort of
the wind and dust was temerature
which sought for the marrow and gen.
orally reached it. The ladies'. who, on
the strength Of the warm weather YES
terday came in summer dresses to the
reviewing stand. suffered keenly, and
but for the thoughtfuinesS OF of'.ceis
commanding the guard thrown around
the reviewing stand. who provided
them with blankets. many OF them
would have been compelled to leave
the place. Both President Roosevelt
and EX-Presdcnt Cleveland remained
in the stand exposed to the raw wind
until the end of the parade. although
iheir faces were blue and their limbs
stiffencd by the cold. Despite this
heavy handicap. however. the ceremo-
mes proper were spsendidly handled
ana the programme was carried out to
me letter. The paraue which took place
IN the morning. was somewhat longer
IN passing the President than had been
expected. and he was fifteen minutes
behind the sceduled time when he was
escorted by the committee into the
Liberal Arts building In order 10 ar
rive even as early as that. he was
competed to take his MONDAY meal
under somewhat uncomfortable circum-
stances. During the luncheon the fo1
was placed on rectangular count
ana tho President. Ike everybody ell
helped himself" The crowd inside
tent was dense when the Preside
with Secretary Wilson and others.
tered. He was SO closely pressed ii
wnen he attempted TO move his a
ms elbow disturbed cup OF coffee II
py General Corbn. With some di
Guilty the officers forced the crowd
allow the distinguished guest elb
room. but they would allow him no
ing more This manoeuvre forced
adJutant general out Of the range
the sandwiches. but the President
voted one hand to passing food to
escort. while the other was devoted
MS own advantage. Owing 10 his
Vantageous position tho President sd
leit caiieu upon TO help passing pli
Whicn service he pcrfo .miC,. With
rity and cheerfulness The import
ceremonies in the Liberal Ar,s bujld
were handled with all possible NJ
patch. Early in the exercises word v,,e
brought TO Senator Carter. the Presi-
uent or the day, that some portions OF
'he hall were being dangerouly con-
sested, and he was asked to avoid de-
rays as lar as possible. He did so and
'toHi tne nrSt TO last the events on
'he programme succeeded each other
rap.dly. or all the speakers. President
roosevelt alone was able 10 mako bis
voice carry further than 80 fect from
me stage. BY far the lareest mart RI
Tue assembly could hear nothing and
thousands OF people in the rear part
u, me hall were constantly moving
no"t .. ana producing muffled roar
'haI "ouln nave bafled fog horn.
"neh tnc president rose to speak
AT was cneered TO the echo. He bowed
again and again. and suggested bv his
manner that quiet be restored FiraII,,
ne mounted the board railing in iron,
oi the restrum. whore he could ho seen
rom every part OF the hall. and again
.oIlcncu Tor silence. There was every
'nIng but silence. ana President Fran
cis suggested that he proceed with his
Speecn J and quiet would follow. Prosi
ueht roosevelt laughed and shool; His
mead. Taking advantase OF the I'M; bo
called Now you. my fellow-citigens
give me all the chance you can. for
ne'o II. The chance was given and
ne began his address. i burst Of an
pause pause greeted his statement that the
ro'nt o,, had none great things for the
dent laughed in manner which main
saio: That means my ancestors.
mno'ner outburst OF applause. which
va, was long continued after he rad s,n-
ianat Mem ABOUT 10 minutes, caused him to
laugh and remarf to President FronD
CTS Now they think I'm 6one - In
when the applause died away he wnnt @
on with his speech. u" wont