Mexico Missouri message., 1903-05-07

West, after participating as the
central figure in the great military
parade and formal ceremonies attend
ing the dedication Of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition,
The Presidents train was in watt
ing at Howard Station. on the Mis-
souri, Pacific. and the party was driven
there directly from the Administra-
ton building. after witnessing the
pyrotechnic display from the window
OF President Francis private ONCE.
President Roosevelt was Joined on
his Western trip by Secretary of War
Root and President Nicholas Murray
Butler, OF Columbia University, in ad-
dition to the other members of his
party. Gov. A. NJ Dockery accom-
panied the party to Kansas City.
A cold, gray day, more like No
vember than the ushering in of May,
was the weather given st. Louis for
the great military. parade attending
the opening dedicatory ceremonies of
the Worlds Fair.
hours, when the crowd Of visitors was
making ready to go out to the line
of march, cold wind blew around the
corners and scattered dust in the eyes
of the spectators.
The cars were crowded. The know
ing ones caught the downtown cars
several streets above the downtown
loops and occupied every seat. The
platforms were crowded, passengers
were hanging to every tangible thing
except the numbers on the cars and
the trolley wires. The motormen and
conductors took tneir time, and block
AIDES we're the order Of the day.
But gradually the scene of activity
shifted from the downtown district
TO Grand avenue and Lindell boule-
ward, where the head Of the parade
rested.
The parade was scheduled to start
at 10:30, but It was nearer IL when
the order to march was given
Every available space along the line
Of march was occupied. A solid mass
of humanity braved the cold weather
and lowering clouds. and from Grand
avenue to the Worlds Fair grounds
at Forest Park. all intervening streets
were blockaded by the crowd. Late
corners stood no chance to see the
parade.
Enterprising persons had erected
stands along the line OF march, and
owners and tenants of residences had
stretched wire fences in front of their
places to keep out the crowd.
A living wall was erected along the
sidewalk, and it refused to move until
the last gold-laced officer and khaki
clad private had passed in the line of
march.
No favoriism was shown by the
crowd. The rabble was there to see,
and it saw, at any cost.
In the Presidents carriage were
David r. Francis, president of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition com.
pany; Thomas H. Carter, president
of the National Worlds Fair com
mission, and Mr.. Loeb, private secre
-tary TO the President.
Following them came the most i'm
posing and magnificent military pa
rade ever Witnessed in the West.
More than 10000 regular and state
troops, and governors of many states
and their stats, the diplomatic corps
United States Senators, Congressman
and ether dignltaries, composed the
parade, and along the entire line Of
march q continual ovation was given
by the thousands of spectators.
President Rooseyelt's carriage had
gone only few blocks before it be
gan to resemble a float in a flower
parade. Bouquets of roses carnations
and other flowers we're so thickly
sshowered upon the President that he
was all but buried beneath the fcra
tributes.
Mr.. Roosevelt made most of the triI
standing and bowling acknowledge
; meats to the cheers of the crowd.
The members CT the diplomatic
corps were the recipients of much
attention. While comparatively few
sof the spectators recognized any Of
the diplomats, It was sufficient for tbs
crowd that the men represented pow
terful foreign countries, and a fitting
tribute was paid to each representa-
tive.
Before leaving the city Preslden
Roosevelt expressed himself as de
lighted with the progress made upon
the Worlds Fair buildings and II
preparing the Exposition for the pub
lie.
Il had no idea the big buildings Wer'
so near completed. F" he said "The ST
Louis Worlds Fair is certainly at
tracing great attention"
Scene in Liberal Arts Palace.
49, - a.. y.,,.t ,,.oot, o,,I.. .n.y,,.