Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-04-30
OPENING DAY
At ST. LOUIS
Conditions Ideal. $1,000 People
Witnessed Opening Ceremonies
Of the Great Exposition

W wv OsS0S AAPVCtJVU
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, April 30.-President
Roosevelt touched an electric button in
today. As he did so the
report OF cannon was heard here by
the expectant multitude, flags unfurled
as IL by magic. an avalanche Of water
poured down the cascades, the great
engines in the machinery palace and
power houses started throbbing-andi
the Louisiana Purchase exposition was
open to the world. d
Under fair skies and in presence OF
an immense audience containing rep
resentatives from all parts OF the
earth, the Louisiana Purchase exposi-
ton was opened formally at 1918 to-
day, when President Roosevelt at
Washington, touched the golden key
that sent a throb of movement through
out vast enterprise. 1t was an impress
sive sight. An immense throng. esti-
mated at one hundred and fifty thou
sand passed the turnstiles early in the
day and gathered over the plaza of
ST. Louis and the plaza Of St. Anthony
and spread out over the spacious ave-
nues from the palace of>libefal arts to
the grand cascades. AS flags waved.
water rushed myriad orifices terraces
from thousand fountains bands played.
people cheered hoarsely. then spread
out to view sights.
The opening ceremonies were so sim
pie and SO plain that they were in per-
feet harmony with the methods Of
President Francis and his eflcient aids,
but they were at the same time very
impressive, and made fitting prelude
to one Of the most memorable events
In American history. The dedication
ceremonies, year ago, were attended
by a military pageant that was signifi-
cant OF the nations prowess, and after
the baptism Of arms comes+ the sweet
presence Of art and science. and the
formal opening today was marked by
the absence Of soldiery in uniform.
The place of rendezvous was the
great plaza to the north OF the Grand
Basin and n the shadow of the impos-
ing Louisiana Purchase monument At
3 o'clock the board of directors of the
fair. the members OF the national COM
mission, the board of lady managers
and other officials met in the admins
tration building, where there was an
interesting little ceremony as pre-
lude to the more important events OF
the day. This consisted of the pre-
sanitation IN proSidap% E>ropofv oF n
gavel with which to call to order the
assemblage of notab]es. The gavel was
made of many pieces of wood taker
from various trees grown in the Forest
Park portion OF the exposition grounds
President Francis and his party were
escorted from the administration build
ing to the scene OF the days ceremon.
les. where they were joined by the for.
eign commissioners, who had assem-
bled earlier at the British pavilion,
and the governor OF states and stat.
commissions and committees who had
rounded UP at the United States gov.
ernment building. Secretary Tan. a!
velt was escorted to the grounds by {
military guard. and proper escorts wer,
furnished also to the members OF con
gress and other specially invited guests
Promptly at 1890 the exercises o
the day began. The ceremonies wer,
opened with an Invocation by the Rev
Frank w. Gunsaulus of Chicago tn,
| invocation was followed by the render
ing Of America by the bands, and al
address by the Hon. p. r. Francis
president of the exposition. Presiden
Francis was given a great ovation. II
a brief address, ne reviewed the histor,
of the exposition enterprise from it's in
ception to the supreme moment now a
hand. eulogiZing the work of his col
leagues and praising the public spiri
of the citizens OF St. louis in general
| He set forth the objects OF the exposi
| tion to be to commemorate the past
pre- sent the advantages ~ the present
past the present the future of Americ:
and the whole world. Loud and con
tinuous cheering followed the conclu
| sion of President Francis remarks. an,
| the band struck up The Star-Spangle,
Banner" amid tumultuous cheering an,
waving OF hats and handkerchiefs.
William H. Thompson. chairman O
the committee on grounds and build
| ings, stepped to the front Of the speak
ers stand and introduced Isaac I
Taylor. director OF works. He said tina
he had worked many months on hi
| speech. and that in delivering it n
! would deliver the keys Of the building
to President Francis, which he did
The transfer OF the exhibit palaces (,
F.. j. v. Skiff, director of exhibits. wa
then made.
Addresses followed by Thomas H
Carter. president Of the national com
mission; e. II. Hartman. speaking o,
behalf Of domestic exhibitors, and b,
representatives q the congrsssiona