The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-01
FINAL DAY
OF FAIR IN
ST. LOUIS

st. Louis. Mo-. Dec. Ideal early win
ter weather. the gates thrown open to
children and those who we're worthy but
had been unable to attend for pecuni-
ary reasons, crowds pouring through the
turnstiles from the opening Of the gates
until far into the day, marked the last
day OF the Louisiana Purchase Exposi-
ton.
President David j. Francis was the
guest OF honor today and ceremonies
were conducted commenorating his ser
vices In making the exposition "A success,
and at the same time bidding farewell 10
the Worlds Fair, the magnhcence and
greatness OF which have been aGknowl-
edged throughout the world.
II is estimated that today's attendance
was nearly a record breaker. but IL viii
not be known until the exposition closes
The attendance for the previous weeks
has been announced Sunday nights and
the official announcement last Sunday
showed that Is.317,457 admissions had
been recorded since the exposition opened
April 80. The banner months attend
ance was in September. when the total
was 3.651.S7S. The largest single days
attendance was on September is, when
st. Louis day" was celebrated.
That every citizen Of st. Louis might
participate In the last day OF the eXposi-
tion and help observe Francis day" to-
day was proclaimed a holiday by Mayor
Wells. Gov. Dockery likewise had pro-
claimed throughout the state that today
was especially set apart for paying final
homage TO the exposition. and the crowds
that poured into the city on the early
trains attested To the ract that tho pro-
clamation was observed.
Many business houses closed today and
all the public schools were closed. There
we're additional forces OF officers and
guards TO preserve order In handling the
crowds. but every visitor was bent on
having n last good time and there was
little need Of guards except for giving
directions and looking after the comfort
OF the visitors generally.
Earlylin the day a special trolley car
left the residence of President Francis
conveying him 10 the administration
building.
Mayor Wells and the exposition commit
tee on ceremonies acted as escort After
a brief reception in President Francis
ofrice he was escorted to the plaza of
st. Louis.
The procession was headed by a military
escort. composed OF all the military
orean~A tions on the grounds. the regular
! soldiers stationed at Jefferson barracks
| and ether organizations -ef 81 Louis Gen.
r. NJ. Rice acted as marshal OF the day.
At the plaza OF st. Louis President
Francis took his place on the north side
OF the Louisiana Purchase monument to
deliver his farewell address from the
exact place where were neld the opening
exercises just seven months ago. The
members of the national commission, the
board OF lady managers. the members Of
the foreign and state commissioners and
other notable guests were near tho
speakers stand and stretching away into
the distance on all sides was a sea OF
faces.
The assemblage was called to order by
Mayor Wells
Rev. Dr. s. J. Niccolls OF the Second
Presbyterian church OF st. Louis in
vol<ed blessing.
Brief addresses were made by Governor
Dockery in behalf OF the state and Mayor
Wells In behalf of the city OF st. Louis
President Francis was introduced and
delivered his farewell address As ne
stepped to the front the assembled thou
sands cheered.
President Francis spoke briefly. describ-
ing the exposition as monument 10
the industry of tho world as a universal
institution of instruction and as pa
triotic success When he had ceased
speaking the crowd again cheered and
then dispersed TO see for the last time
the wonders of the exposition.
Drills and concerts and receptions gen
orally throughout the grounds occupied
the latter part OF the day.
President Francis was rendered a gen
eral reception at the house OF the board
OF lady managers.