The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-01
WORLDS FAIR OPENING
President Roosevelt Starts the Louis.
lana Purchase Exposition.
President Francis Welcomes to St. Louis
Exhibitors and Visitors From ALI
Nations to the Great West.

st. Louis, Mo.-Amid the booming OF
cannon, the crash of brass bands and
the cheers of more than 100. 900 people
the great st. Louis Fair that has cost
this city millions to prepare, opened its
doors to the public.
The cascades, as if by the touch Of a
magic hand, sent forth their glittering
streams of crystal. Flags were un'
furled and the great Louisiana Pur'
chase Exposition sprung into being.
In the White House at Washington
President Roosevelt. who awaited the
signal, touched at the proper moment
an electric button connected with the
Exposition grounds. and at that touch
the machinery of the most colossal eX.
hibit eve attempted on this side Of the
water began to move.
simultaneously salutes were fired
from the two naval vessels in the river,
and thousands of steam whistles took
up the work Of celebrating the opening
of the fair. The streets were crowded.
Banners. all over the grounds were
unfurled at the moment when the Ex-
position became a thing accomplished.
Representatives of every government
and people IN earth. attired in glitter
ing uniforms of exalted rank, stood I'm.
covered on the great platform, a glor-
ious sun shining down, while q vast
throng in holiday attire cheered for
five minutes and swung hats, handker-
chiefs and flags in the enthusiasm of
the occasion.
There was no hitch anywhere. At
night the grounds Of the Exposition
were a fairyland Of light and color.
The boulevards and piazzas were al
most impossible. Crowds were
damned in every building. st. Louis
had given herself up to the occasion,
and it was practically a silent, empty
city that waited for the Exposition
grounds to relinquish the sightseers and
celebrants.
The day broke fair and comparative.
ly cool, and presented q surprising
scene on the fair grounds. Absolute
transformation had been brought about.
A week ago the unknowing visitor
would have viewed the seeming chaos
with dubious thoughts as to the ability
Of the Exposition management to finish
the physical part Of the Exposition on
time.
Even the night before the outlook
was doubtful for a ~presentable field for
the overshadowing occasion. Day
brought a marvellous transformation.
Tons of debris, scores of unsightly
shacks, temporary bridges and murky
pools that had dis6gured the beautiful
main picture had disappeared over
night. and in their place appeared
greensward, Towering beds. bright col
ored booths and spotless white palaces.
This had been wrought by an army Of
10000 workers.
By 8 o'clock a. m. not a workman was
visible. The work had been done. The
completed picture was on exhibition
for the admiring gaze Of the worlds
visitors, who beheld walks clean and
flowers blooming, the green Of the
lawns in perfect harmony with the
ivory Of the palaces. without ever
knowing what remained to be done but
a day before it was accomplished.
st. Louis itself was in holiday attire
in honor of the event. Business houses
and private residences throughout the
city were decorated. and every depart
ment Of public life was engaged in the
celebration.
The special Worlds Fair police force
Of three captains, eighteen serGeants
and 275 meu, were drilled and organ
lied for duty. and the Jefferson Guards
had already become fixtures about the
Exposition grounds.
The streets are crowded and every
hotel and boarding house jam full.
Distinguished visitors were to be met
everywhere.
Quite unexpectedly the Nashville and
the Lawrence, of the United States
Navy, arrived in the harbor a day
ahead of time. and all day they were
visited by hundreds Of people to whom
the presence of a warship in the har-
Dor is an event as unusual. almost as
the holding of a worlds fair.
The program Of the opening ceremo-
MES was as follows:
Prayer by Rev. F. ". Gunsaulus,
concluding with Lords Prayer repeat
ed by the audience.
Address by President Francis. .
Presentation of keys Of the EXPOSE
ton by Director of Works to the Presi.
dent.
Transfer Of the Exhibit Palaces by
the President to the Director Of Ex-
hibits.
Address by T. j. V. Skif, Director OF
Exhibits.
Chorus, "Hymn Of the West"
Address by Mayor Rolla Wells, Of st.
Louis.
Address by Thomas H. Carter, Presf.
dent of the National Commission.
Addresses by Senator H. e. Burnham
and Representative J. A. Tawney Oh
behalf of Congress.
Address by Edward H. Hartman,
President of the New York State Com
mission.
Address by William Fl. Taft, Secre-
tary Of War, on behalf of the President
of the United States.
Starting of machinery by President
Reosevelt.ii in the White House, Wash
ington, touching a telegraph key.
Parade of concessionaires.
Suicide Robbed Her Father.