The Tupelo journal., 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 md ReveIry.

tured Fun and ReveIry.
st. Louis, Dec. 3.-Of all the demon
chase exposition the concluding cere-
monies were the most sincere. Nearly
q quarter of a million persons crowded
the grounds, and voiced the sentiment
of appreciation that was alive in every
heart.
There have beer festival occasions at
the fair, but for the first time there
vas q demonstration that was unani-
nous. The pranks and jokes of those
who brought the exposition to a close
we're received in the spirit in which
they we're given, and there was scarce
ly a 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
| ed. the hundreds of soldiers, policemen
| and jefferson guards, detailed to keep
| order had little to do, their very pres
enee being a guarantee against i'm
proper conduct.
Around the Louisiana Purchase
monument as the midnight hour ap'
| preached the thronCs gathered with
the Minute 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 entis e plaza on AL sides
the altatest that had eYet
gathered upon the historic spot waitei
b eathlessly for the signal that was to
| relcgate the exposition to the domain
of the past.
Heart-RendinG Duty.
Rising from HI, seat, President
Francis faced the people, with his wife
| standing at his right. 1t was evident
that he was much affected, and the
| crowds cheered his appearance until
the air rang with applause.
81 am about to perform a heart
rerting duty" were the opening words
o. President Francis, who, 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 the
cascades that doomed through the gatn-
erirg mist, ablaze with the glory thai
was soon to pass forever, he contin-
ued.
Mrs. Francis and I have been
blessed with six ons If / were called
upon to lose one of them tomorrow,
the only consolation l could find would
he the record left behind him. So, when
We are called upon to loose the great
exposition, the only consolation LETT tc
rs is the record that it leaves behind"
Turning the switch through which
ran the entire electric current that IL"
Illuminated the grounds and turned the
wheels of the exposition, he quoted the
familiar words of Cardinal Wolsley:
Farewell, a long farewell, to all thy
| splendor!"
The lights upon the buildings grad
ually faded. The entire grounds were
in darkness, and a hush fell upon the
neople. For a brief moment there was
not a sound, and then, raising theif
voices, the assemblage cheered and
cheered until it would seem that life
would be recalled to the dead exposi'
ton.
Demolition Begun.
Shouting and cheering, the crowds
withdrew through the darkness and
taxed the capacity of the street cars.
The demonstration on the Pike was
me of the features of the evening.
Packed with a mass of humanity the
street of fun was alive with merriment
and hilarity. 1t was feared that trouble
might result from the festival feeling
that prevailed, but although there was
no restraint to the merrymaking there
WAS no repetition of the d~isgracefui
scenes that characterized the last
nights at Chicago and Buffalo.
The work of dismantling the EXPOSE
ton will be pushed with all speed. II
IS the desire of every exhibitor n
every state commission to get OH the
rounds as soon as possible. In tnls
general movement the EXPOSITION
comnanv will aid, and there will be
little delay in moving frelght.