Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-02
FAIR OPENED.
President Roosevelt Touched
the Golden Key, Saturday.
Secretary Of War Taft Represents the
United States.
Enormous Crowds Attended the Exsr-
cises in St. Louis.

st. Louis. May MISUNDERSTANDING
the ominous prediction Of the govern
ment forecaster, who prophesied rain
1or the latter part OF the day and low
ering skies for the morning, ST. Louis
put forth her best and bravest effort,
saturday, in honor of the opening of
her great exposition. The morning, at
least. was bright and the most was
made of it,
The official hour for the commence
ment CT the exercises was 9 o'clock, at
which time the officials of the exposi-
ton, members of the national commits
sion and of the board Of lady managers
were scheduled to meet at the. admin
istration building. Long before this
time the grounds were filled with near
ly half Of the population Of the city
OF st. Louis and the remainder appa-
rently was thronging to the exposition
grounds. TO the many Of thousands of
local population were added many more
who come in on excursion trains. AL
though no special effort was made by
the management of the exposition to
secure large attendance for the OPEN
ing day the crowd was fully as large
as that which filled the grounds one
=
were dedicated with SO much pomp and
ceremony.
Promptly at the hour set the officers
and directors of the exposition, the
members Of the national commission
and of the board of lady managers were
gathered at the administration building
where, as rapidly as possible. they were
formed into a procession and marched
IN fhn Kin. 0rC
of the grounds where the formal exer-
cises of the opening We're conducted. At
the head of the column was a detach-
ment of the Jefferson guards who are
to do police duty within the exposition
while it continues. Then came the Phil
ippine Scouts Band followed by the
Philippine scouts, an imposing body of
men who marched well. Behind them
and leading the officers and directors Of
the exposition came Sousa's Band. BE-
hind them and leading The officers and
directors were the members Of the ma
tiOnal commission and last of all the
board of lady managers, some on foot
and others in carriages.
AS the column from the adminiStra-
ton building entered the plaza n long
line of representatives of foreign gov
ernments which had assembled in the
plaza from another avenue. This COL
umn was also headed by detachment
Of the Jefferson guards followed by a
band. Al the head of the line imne-
diately behind the music were the MEM
bers of the exposition committee on for
eiSn relations, then came commission
ers ana representatives of foreign gov
ernments which have ambassadors
credited TO the United States marching
in the order Of presentation Of creden-
tials to the exposition. Following these
came representatives of governments
having ministers accredited to the
United States government and then q
great number of other representatives
of foreign governments and colonies.
also in the order of the presentation of
their credentials to the exposition.
This column by far presented the
gayest appearance Of the day for the
foreigners made prodigal display OF
gold lace and bright colors in glittering
contrast to the black silk hats and dark
frock coats which were so prominent
among the officials and dignitaries OF
the exposition.
a third column came shortly after
ward formed Of representatives OF the
states and territorial governments Of
the union. ..,
The participants in the exercises
quickly took their places at the base Of
the Louisiana monument where a small
stand had been erected for the speak
ers and seats provided for the listeners.
The assemblage& was called to order
without delay by President d. X.
Francis Of the exposition, who request
ed the audience to rise while the Rev.
Frank NJ. Gunsaulus Of Chicago, de-
livered an invocation.
DR.. Cunsaulus concluded his eloquent
invocation with the Lords prayer IN
which the audience Joined. President
(COntinlIpd on ne Ge 0l