Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-05-06
THE WORLDS FA|R OPENED
e,IMMENSE CROWDS ARE PRESENT
Addresses of President Francis and
nayor Wells


UNDER a fair sky, and in the
presence of an immense audience,
containing representatives from
every corner of the civilized
world, the Louisiana Exposition
was formally opened at noon
today. At exactly three
minutes past twelve the tele-
graph instrument in the electri-
city and Notwithstanding
clicked sharply as the electric
current was set in motion by
the fingers of President Roose-
welt, at Washington, and spread
over thousands of miles of
copper wire galvanized into life
the gigantic mass of machinery
which forms sucha splendid part
OF the Worlds Fair. Stimuli
tapeously thousands of flags
broke out on broad places, and
a flood of water and rush of
fame Illuminated the grand
cascades, and the colorado of
states became a mass of lights.
Water rushed from myriads of
orifices in terraces and thous-
ands of foun talns began to play.
The immense throng stood
silent for an instant, and then
tremendous cheer rose from the
grounds, and the Louisiana
urchase Exposition was an
accomplished fact.
The proceedings of this i'm
pressive exercise were held in the
plaza beneath the monument of
the Saint after which the city
was named. A dense throng
surrounded the platform on1
which was seated the officers and
company OF famous guests.
Rev. Gunsaulus, of Chicago
spoke a solemn prayer. Presi-
dent Francis then made an .ad-
dress: A staff and chorus of
300 voices then sang the "Hymn
of the VEST
Mayor Wells was the next
speaker. He told of the progress
that had been made successfully
by Philadelphia, Chicago and
ST. Louis expositions, dwelling
chiefly on the growth of the
Louisiana territory.
Senator Carter, president of
the National committee; Repre-
sentative Tawey; Edward
Hartman president of the New
York state commissioners,
followed. After the band played
"The Star Spangled Banner"
Secretary Taft, representing
President Roosevelt, was intro |
duced. The chorus sang again,
then came the electric mark
ing the opening of the fair.
ADDRESS OF RoLLA WELLS, MAYOR.
Twenty-eight years ago there was
inaugurated in the city of Philadel-
phia the Centennial Exposition, in
commemoration of the completion of
the first century of our national exist
ence. Three millions of people grown
to forty-three million; thirteen colonies
enlarged to thirty-seven states. Sew
enteen years later, in line with still |
greater progress, that wonderful white
city-The Columbian Exposition
opened its gates to the admiration of
the world,
Now, on this thirtieth day of April
1904, we are assembled to commemo-
rate the one hundredth anniversary
of that great historical achievement
the purchase of the Louisiana Terri |
tory; and as evidence of greater ma
turity, we are celebrating as eighty |
millions of united Americans, occupy
ing forty-fve prosperous states and
five territories. Among this number
are the states which are located with
in the boundaries of the Louisiana
Purchase, the chief city of which is
the city of ST. Louis, which I have
the honor of representing on this
memorable occasion. ST. Louis, en-
veloped in the romance of the past,