The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-12-02

From the time he left his residence yes
terday morning. escorted by the member
of the Board of Directors, until in thu
solemn hush of great throng the light!
of the Exposition were turned Off. Francis
Day was for the President Of the Ex
position succession of personal triumphs
Tho peculiarly appropriate celebration
OF tho last day of the great Exposition
as the name day Of one of its principa
to have been a spontaneous arrangement
OF the people Of the city than on yester.
! day.
In the acclaim with which David r
Francis was greeted through every houl
| of Francis Day whenever the public or
the grounds caught sight Of him, al
| classes Joined heartily. The day had beer
q magnet to draw to the Exposition one
of the greatest crowds in its calendar.
On his day-Francis Day at the Exposi.
tion-the President of the Exposition fol-
the nonce and for the first time was di-
vested of his functions as the executive
OF the Exposition and became the honored
guest Of the people OF St Louis, the ma
tons Of the world through their accredit-
ed representatives and of his coworkers
In the Exposition management.
Through the generosity of the Executive
and Ceremonies committees OF the Ex-
position. who had In charge all of the
arrangements for the celebration of Fran
els Day, the poor Of the city, the little
children and the lowly, were the guests
Of the Exposition management for the
last day. that they might be enabled to
Join in the tribute to the man whom the
city delighted to honor.
In the formal ceremonies Of the day,
which took place yesterday morning on
the self-same spot where seven months
before President Francis. acting as host
TO the peoples Of the world, had in a
splendid burst Of eloquence declared the
gates OF the Exposition formally opened
to the world, he was the guest whom the
Governor of the State, the Mayor of the
city and thousands Of his felIow-citizens
had gathered to pay tribute to.
FINE DAY FOR CEREMONIES.
1t was such day almost as the OPEN
Ing day of the Exposition had witnessed
bright sun that glinted the roofs and
Eilded points OF statues in the picture took
the edge off the chill atmosphere. 1t was
q civic holiday and State holiday as
well, and holidsy-makers from city and
State began to make the Fair grounds
their objective point early in the day.
The busiest day Of his busy life opened
for President Francis at . o'clock in the
morning. at that hour Mayor Wells and
the members Of the two Worlds Fair
committees called at the Maryland ave-
nue. residence of the President as an es-
cort to the Fair. The trip to the Expo
sition WIS made in a private. trolley car.
The car stopped at the Administration
entrance. and surrounded by the commit
teemen the Exposition President proceeded
to the entrance. Just inside the gates an
escort Of Jefferson Guards under command
OF Lieutenant Colonel Fountain, COM
mandant, was drawn UP.
As he passed through the gates into the
grounds the guards saluted and. closing
ranks, became his escort for the trip TO
his Office in tho Administration building.
With Brigadier General Rice. Marshal
OF the Fair, in full uniform. the column
formed with Mayor Wells and First Vice
President Coruin H. Spencer at its head.
Following them came Secretary Stevens.
Director Of Works Taylor. Director of Ex-
hibits Skiff, Director Of Concessions and
Admissions Gregg, and the members Of
the Executive and Reception and Enter
tainment committees.
The walk to the Administration building
was between a lane OF Jefferson Guards
who lined either side Of the broad pave
ment In the center OF Administration ave.
nue.. As the party passed the guards, who
stood at attention. their white-gloved
salute.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
Crowding the roadway On either side Of
the walls OF Jefferson Guards were thou
sands Of people who cheered as the Ex-
position President passed up tho walk.
With his hat in his hand he bowed COIL
stantly to the right and to tho left in
OF the salutations OF the
throng.
As the column reached the foot OF the
long flight of granite steps leading up to
the main entrance Of the Administration
building and started TO ascend there was
crash of music and the land of the Six
teenth Infantry. stationed in the archway
Of the building, played ''IIail TO the Chief"
Through the crow1s the escort led the
way down the corridors Of the Administra-
tion building and UP to the office of the
President on the second floor.
The stairway leading up to the second
floor and the corridor just outside the
Presidents Office were made beautiful by
bunting I'm the national and Exposition
.olors and by potted plants and flowers.
The great bay window ON the landing |
OF the staircase. was screened by silken !
coIcrs and plants, and over the center |
hung large medallion bearing the bust
o. Mr.. Francis in relief.
The corridor to the swinging doors of |
the Office was covered with bunting and |,
banked with palms and potted plants. The |
interior of the beautiful office was made |
q bower of beauty. e-
Red and white roses. carnations. palms, |
evergreens and smilax were everywhere |
In profusion. Over the east window of |
the Office hung the flag of Kentucky, the !
native State Of Mr.. Francis. On another !
wall hung the seal of Missouri. his |
adopted State, and on other walls were !
the fleur-de-lis and colors. OF the Exposi- |
ton and portrait of himself.
The decorations were the work Of his !
associates and the officials Of the Ex-
position. done unknown to President |
Francis. Morris Boorstin, one of the first !
of the Exposition, did much of |
the active work Of decoration.
TO PLAZA ST, LOUIS.
Following a short rest in his office dur
ing which several foreign onicials called |
to offer their congratulations, the march |
to the Plaza St Louis was taken UP for
|