Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-12-09
SOUNDING OF TAPS
FOR WORLDS FAIR
Ceremony, Bordering On the Pathet.
ic, Witnessed by Thousands.
TWILL LONG LIVE IN MEMORY
Thanks TO Wise Foresight, the
Closing Day Ended without Any
thing Worse Than Good Ma
tured Fun and Revelry.

tufeu Eun ana Revelry.
st. Louis, Dec. 3.-Of all the demon
STATIONS held at the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition the concluding cere-
monies were the most sincere. Nearly
a quarter of million persons crowded
the grounds, and voiced the sentiment
Of appreciation that was alive In every
heart.
There have been festival occasions at
the fair, but for the first time there
vas demonstration that was unani-
NOUS, The pranks and jokes of those
who brought the exposition to close
we're received in the spirit In which
they were given, and there was scarce
ly person on the ground who resent
ed the parade 'of hilarity that was
rampant
The Pike was thronged from early
in the evening until the last light fad
cd. the hundreds of soldiers, policemen
and Jefferson guards, detailed to keep
order had little to do, their very pres
ehee being guarantee against i'm
proper conduct.
Around the Iouisiana Purchase
monument as the midnight hour ap-
preached the throngs gathered with
the T!lnute guns booming, awaiting the
concluding moment that would bring
The great exposition to a close.
accompanied by his wife, members
Of the board of directors. Vice-Presi
dent Corwin H. Spencer and Director
OF Works Taylor, President Francis
entered the stand that had been erect
ed at the foot of the Louisiana monu-
ment, on the Plaza of st. Louis, shortly
before midnight.
Banking the entiae plaza on all sides
the L.tatest concoprse that had ever
gathered upon the historic spot watt
b eathlessly for the signal that was t.
rolcgate the exposition to the domain
of the past.
Heart-Rending Duty.
Rising from hts seat, President
francis faced the people, with his VIII
standing at his right. 1t was evidatt
that he was much affected, and the
crowds cheered his appearance until
the air rang with applause.
81 am about to perform heart
rer.tine duty" were the opening words
o. President Francis, vino, as he spoke
placed his hand upon the arm of his
wife. His voice, though strong, trem
bled as he spoke, and, waving his
| hands towards Festival hall and TIKI
cascades that loomed through the gath
erirg mist, ablaze with the glory thai
was soon to pass forever, he contin'
ued.
"Mrs. Francis and l have beer
blessed with six sons. II | were called
upon to lose one of them tomorrow
the only consolation could find would
be the record left behind him. So, wher
We are called upon to loose the grea
exposition, the only consolation left tt
us is the record that it leaves behind.
Turning the switch through which
ran the entire electric current1that IL
Illuminated the grounds and turned thu
wheels Of the exposition, he quoted thu
familiar words of Cardinal Wolsley:.
Farewell, long farewell, to all tn,
splendor!"
The lights upon the buildings grad
ually faded. The entire grounds wer'
in darkness, and hush fell upon tn
people. For brief moment there wa
not a sound, and then, raising thei
voices, the, assemblagei cheered ant
cheered until it, would seem that lif
would be recalled to the dead exposi
ton. ca E a
Demolition Begun.
Shouting and cheering, the crowd
withdrew through the darkness ant
taxed the capacity of the street cars.
The demonstration on the Pike wa
one of the features. of the evening
Packed with mass Of humanity tn
street of fun was alive with merrimen
and hilarity. 1t was feared that troubl
might result from the festival feeiin
that prevailed, but although there wa
no restraint to the merrymaking Their
was no repetition of the disgracefu
scenes that characterized the las
nights at Chicago and Buffalo.
The work of dismantling the exposi
ton will be pushed with all speed.
is the desire of every exhibitor an
every state commission to get off tn
grounds as soon as possible. In thi
general movement the exposition