Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-03
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NATION
TOUCHES MAGIC KEY AND Ex-
POSITION BEGINS.
OPENING PROGRAM.
A GREAT SUCCESS
Addresses Are Made by President
Francis, Secretary Taft, and Others
-Bands Play 1.-THE Star spaneIed
Banner-Thousands Attend.


Banner-Thousands Attend.
Washington, D. c., April 3d.
President Roosevelt, at 1:14h
o'clock today pressed the gold key
and started the gigantic st. Louis
exposition. At the same battery
of artillery stationed on theground
of the Washington monument
fired the national salute of twenty
one guns. The President and
President Francis of the exposi-
ton company exchanged congrat-
ulatory messages.
Worlds Fair Grounds, st. Louis,
April 80 - At 1904 this afternoon, to
the tolling of bells and amid the crash
Of bands, the sweeping chorus, "The
Star Spangled Banner" sung by
thousands of voices and the cheers of
the greatest throng ever assembled in
the city of ST. Louis, the Louisiana
Purchase exposition was formally de-
clared open.
Scene At the Grounds.
AS Secretary Taft this afternoon
concluded his speech, words flash
ed over the Postal Telegraph
wires telling President Roosevelt in
Washington that the proper moment
had arrived for the opening of the fair.
Instantly the President touched the
golden key and sent back flash which
started the machinery in machinery
hall in operation. At the same instant
the operators here touched the keys
which released the fastenings of thou.
sands Of banners on the roofs of the
large exhibit palaces. Every banner
apparently caught the same breath of
air and they unfurled and floated out
as one.
Thousands Watch the Cascades.
At the far end of the lagoon from
the Louisiana monument are the cas-
cades. This portion of the ceremonies
had greater interest for the people
than apparently any other feature of
the opening. Hundreds of thousands
of eyes were focused on the three
lite iraNines that extend from the
estafes 80 the lagoon basin.
ae nrst CLINT of white foam at the
nn1it Of the inclines was greeted
III a tremendous cheer which deep
led as q great flood of water came
,ashing down to the lagoon below.
Sands Play "star spangIed Banner"
simultaneously with the rush of wa
er all the bands burst forth at once
into the strains of the "Star Spangled
Banner" Every man in the great
crowd uncovered. When the last
strain of the martial song had died
away the exercises were finished and
the exposition proper was commenced.
Parade From the Pike.
The first feature of the exposition
was the concessionaries parade. This
was made UP of all the different fea-
lures which will figure on 'the pike
during the exposition. "The pike" is
to the st. Louis exposition exactly
what the midway" was to the Chi.
cago exposition.
Thousands Attend Exercises.
The morning of the opening day OF
the. Louisiana Purchase exposition was
bright and warm but rain was predict
ed for the afternoon. Long before the
official hour for the commencement
exercises, 9 a. M. the grounds con
tanned nearly half the people of st
Louis and to the many thousands O.
local population were added man,
more who came in on the excursion
trains
Procession to the Plaza.
Promptly at the hour set the off
GERS and directors of the exposition
the members of the national commits
sion and board of lady managers
gathered at the administration build
ing and formed in procession which
marched to the plaza in the center O
the ground, where formal exercise.
were conducted. The procession wal
augmented at different points by rep
resentatives of the foreign govern
ments and the different states ant
territories.
Invocation BY Gunsaulus.
The assemblage was called to orde,
by President D. r. Francis, who re
quested the audience to rise Will,
Rev. Frank M. Gunsaulus of Chicago
delivered an invocation. Presiden
Francis then delivered the followins
address:
President Francis Address.
A great thinker has said, The sen
timent from which it springs deter
mines the dignity of any deed" This
universal exposition was conceived il
a sense of obligation on the part of tn,
people of the Louisiana Purchase t.
give expression to their gratitude TO
the innumerable blessings that hav,
flowed from a century of membership
in the American union, to NANTES
their appreciation of the manifol,
benefits of living in a land whose eli
mate and soil and resources are un
surpassed and of having their lots cas-
in an age when liberty and enlighten
ment are established on foundation!
broad and deep, and are the heritag
of all who strive. To rise to the full
measure of such a sentiment required
an undertaking of comprehensive pro
portions, and the participation of al
races and of every cline.
Six Years Work.
Six years have passed since the con
ception began to assume form. TIL
first year was devoted to arousing tn
interest of this community and secur
ing the cooperation of the states ant
territories of the Purchase. The mex
two years were spent in enlisting tn
sympathy of other sections of our owl