The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-04-30
Exposition Opsnsd
with Simple Exercises Great
Crowds Attend Impressive
Ceremonies.

he did 50 the report Ola cannon wa
heard here BY the expectant multi
tude, flags unfurIed as if magic, a
avalanche Of water poured dow
the cascades, the great engines i
the machinery palace aud powe
houses ss-.s1ed throbbing and th
Louisiana Purchase Exposition wa
open TO the world
The opening ceremonies were s.
simple and so plain that taey wer'
in perfect harmony with the meth
DDS Of the President Francis and
his efficient aids. but they were AZ
the same time very impressive, and
made a fitting prelude TO one Of the
most memorable events i'll Amcri-
can history. The dedication cere-
monies. a year ago, were attended
by a military pageant that was sig
nifcant Of the nations prowess,
and after the baptism Of arms
comes the sweet presence Of art and
science, and the formal opening to-
day 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 III the shadow Of
the imposing Louisiana Purcha c
Monument. AT n;ne O'Clock the
board Of directors of the fair, the
menbers of the national commits
sion, the board Of lady managers
and other officials met in the Adj
ministration Building, where there
was an interesting little ceremony
as a prelude ty the more important
events of the day. This consisted
of the presentation 20 President
Francis Of gave with which to
call 10 order the assemblage Of no
tables. The gavel was made OF
many pieces Of wood taken from
varioustrees grown III Forest Park
portion Of the exposition grounds.
President Francis and his party
were escorted from the Admins.
tration Building 10 the scene Of The
days ceremonies, where they were
joined by the foreign commission
ers, who had assembled earlier al
the British Pavilion; and the gov
ernors Of states and state commits
sions and committees who had
rounded mp at the United States
Government Building. Secretary
Taft, as the representative Of
President Roosevelt, was escorted
to the grounds by a nilittry guard
and proper escorts were also fur
nished to the members of congress
and other especially invited guests.
Promptly at half past ten the ex-
ercises Of the day began There
was little formaiity, hardly any
display to attract the seekers Of the
picturesque, and still The program
was carried out amid surroundings
and in a manner in all ways APP
propriate. The ceremonies were
opened with all invocation by the
Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus Of Chi
cago. The Invocation was followed
by the rendering of America" by
the bands, and an address by the
Hon. D. R. Francis, president Of
the exposition. President Francis
was given a great ovation In brief
address, he reviewed the history Of
the exposition enterprise from its
inception to the supreme moment
now at hand eulogizing the work
of his colleagues and praising the
public spirit of St. Louis in general
lie set forth the objects Of the ex-
position TO be TO commemorate the
past, present the advantages Of the
present, and inspire hope for the
future-the past, the present, the
future Of America and the whole
world. Loud and continuous
followed the conclusion Of
President Francis remarks, and
the band struck up Star Spangled
amid tumultuous cheering
and waving Of hats and handker-
chiefs.
William II. Thompson, chair
man Of the committee on grounds
and buildings stepped 10 the froGs
Of the speakers stand and intro
duced Issac l.. Taylor director of
works. An ovation was rendered
to Mr.. Taylor, who had managed
a great part Of the huge task Of