Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1904-05-06

as could be seen from any one section
Of the grounds was perfect. Every
banner apparently caught the same
breath OF air and unfurled and foated
out as one. At the entrance to the
lagoon was the place for the cascades.
This portion of the ceremonies had
greater interest for the people than
other features Of the opening. Hun
derds of thousands Of eyes were focus
ed on the lagoon basin. The appear
ance of white foam at the summit of
the incline was greeted with tre-
mendous cheer, which deepened as the
great flood of water came splashing
down to the lagoon below. 1t was a
sight full Of beauty, and the great
crowd which witnessed it appreciated
and applauded to the full. Simultane-
ously with the rush of the water all
the bands burst forth at once into the
strains of the "Star Spangled Ban
ner." Every man in the great crowd
uncovered, and when the last strain
of the martial song had died away the
exercises were finished and the expo
sition proper had commenced.
The first feature of the exposition
was the concessionaries' parade. This
was made up of all the different feat
ures which will figure on the pike"
during the life of the exposition.
The pike is to the st. Louis exposi-
tion exactly what the midway was to
the Columbian exposition in Chicago.
The features, though different In char
acter, furnish practically the same
form of amusement There were in
this parade some who had actually
been present upon the famous midway
II years ago, and many who had not
been seen or heard of at that time.
This procession, with it's diverse
unique attractions, gave much pleasure
and delight to the crowds, which cheer
ed 1t most enthusiastically during the
entire length of it's line of march.
Ceremony at White House.
President Roosevelt pressed the gold
en- key by which the electrical circuit
was broken releasing the gigantic
power Of the worlds fair at st. Louis,
putting in motion the 40,Ovv horse pow
er machinery and the fairylike cas-
cades Of the exposition grounds. AS
the president pressed the key the
Third battery of artillery, stationed
on the grounds Of the Washington mon
ument, fired a national salute of 81
guns. Congratulatory messages were
then exchanged between the president
and President Francis of the EXPOSE
ton.
Messages Exchanged.
st. Louis, April 30-The following
message was sent by President Fran
els of the fair to Pres4uent Roosevelt:
To the President of the United
States: In response to the signal
flashed by the president OF the United
States, the Louisiana Purchase expo
sition has been opened. The sky is
cloudless. The people assembled fill
the great plaza. The grounds and
buildings are complete. The exhibits
are in order. Nothing has occurred to
mar this most suspicious occasion. In
behalf of the exposition. wish to ex-
press to the chief executive Of the
nation our most sincere thanks for the
honor done in formally opening the ex-
position.
ID. r. FKANCIS.
The following reply was received:
Hon. David r. Francis, st. Louis: II
congratulate you and your associates
on this memorable occasion. wish
we'll to all for the success of the great
enterprise, and ON behalf of the Ameri- |
can people greet the representatives
Of foreign countries who have come
here to cooperate with us in celebrat-
ing in an appropriate fashion the one
anniversary of the event
which turned us into continental ma
lion.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.