The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-12-06

st. Louis, December 1.-The LOuisia-
ma Purchase Exposition has ended. The
~stupondous and magnificent exposition
whose tendrils of interest have extend
ed into every portion of the civilized.
world and even into aboriginal recesses,
bringing within the gates of ST. Louis
millions of visitors from throughout
the entire world, has run it's course and
now passes into history as probably
having comprised the most representa-
tive collection of the resources, indus
tries, art, peoples, and customs of the
world ever assembled. The best order
has teen maintained throughout; there
have been a few fires, but all We're OF
small moment, with the exception Of
the destruction of the house of Hoo Hoo
and the Partial destruction of the Mis-
souri, building recently.
The former was Immediately rebuilt.
No loss of life has occurred during the
exposition from accidents. St. Louis
has proffered her most gracious hospi-
tality to the world and it has been ac-
cepted.
ThrongS of visitors have poured in 10
attend the exposition with the expecta-
ton Of being pleased and. satisfied.
They rave departed amazed and graft
fed. The opinion has been expressed
reserve that the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition has been a success.
The man probably most prominently
known in connection with the Worlds
Fair IS the President, David r. Francis
and it was deemed fitting that the final
day should be designated as Francis
Day" in his honor.
"Tnis exposition has been the work Of
my life" said President Francis. 1T
has consumed my entire time for the
past ear but every hour was a source
of pleasure to me. l have exhausted
my sock of adjectives in trying to de-
scribe this fair. It IS as difficult to do
it justice as it is to paint the lilly
The closing exercises were held at the
base of the Louisiana Purchase Menu
ment, the plaza of ST. Louis, where
were held seven months ago the exer-
cises that formally opened the gates
to tie world. h principle speeches
"SIS ny ITOl DoIhSly "
Missouri and President Francis.
President Francis in his address
spoke Of the lasting influence of the
fair which marks a new epoch in the
intellectual and industrial advancement
Of the world and the dawn of a new era
in The international relations of gov
ernments and peoples"
In conclusion. he said:
May his enterprise with which we
have beer connected for nearly seven
years past bring into still closer broth
erhoOd all the nations and all the Dec
pies VIII have participated in it. May
it deepen our patriotism. May it
strengthen our love for a benign Prov
idence that smiles upon u.s.
Promptly at 4 o'clock all the great
exhibit palaces were closed and visitors
excluded. In the palace Of agriculture
onslaughts were made on some of the
exhibits where the settings were CON-
posed of straw and fragile material,
and for a time general demolition vas
threatened, but prompt action in effect
ing a general ejectment put a stop to
the treatened turmoil.
As the night drew on throngs con-
centrated in the main to view
for the last time the magnificent cleo
trio Illumination One solid stream OF
humanity swept through the pike from
end TO end. The spirit of revelry was
there
Steadily the white bulbs silhouette6
the exhibit palaces against the night
periodically the illumination OF the ter
race of state surrounding festival hill
! changed from white TO red, then &c
green and then back to white. Over or
agricultural knoll the great floral clock
clicked off the minutes of the depart.
ing pageant. And in the night ran
out the tones Of the massive bell, as
the midnight our was tolled by the
great clock. Instantly a hush seemed
to pervade the entire grounds. Tny
glowing electric bulbs slowly begar
dimming. the ~pulsations of the greaI
engines that row the cascades gradu'
ally died down. The light faded
steadily, diminishing Until but {
faint glow was perceptible. Suddenl,
there was darkness and the Louisiana
exposition has passed into The chroni.
cles of history.
New Russian Loan or $3.50, 900 ,00'