The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-05-06
WORLDS FAIR IS NOW Open
GATES OF BIG FAIR ARE THROWN
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Foreign Countries Representatives,
ident Roosevelt Touched Button that
Put the Machinery In Motion-Flne
Weather Brought Out Large Crowds
of People.

Worlds Fair Grounds. St Louis.
April Notwithstanding the predic-
ton of the government forecaster, who
prophesied rain for the latter part of
the day and lowering skies for the
morning, st. Louis put forth her best
and bravest effort in honor of the
opening of her great exposition. The
morning was bright. The crowd was
fully as large as that which filled the
grounds one year ago when the expo |
sition buildings were dedicated.
Promptly at the hour set the OIL
GERS and directors OF the exposition,
the members of the national commits
sion and the board of lady managers
were gathered at the administration
building, where, as rapidly as posi-
BILE. they were formed into process
sion and moved to the plaza of st.
Louis, where the formal exercises were
conducted
At the head Of the column were a
detachment Of guards. Then came
the scouts band, followed by the Phil
ippine scouts, an imposing body OF
men. who marched well. Behind them
and leading the officers and directors
of the exposition came Sousa's band.
Following the officers and managers
were the national commission, and last
of all were the lady managers.
A third column formed OF repre-
sentatives of the state and territorial
governments of the union then came.
+bo Of fhn I n1liCianq mOnII-
ment a small stand had been erected
for the speakers and seats provided for
the listeners. The assemblage was
called to order without delay by Pres
ident d. r. Francis of the exposition
who requested the multitude to rise
while Rev. Frank w. Gunsaulus OF Chi
cago delivered the invocation.
DR.. Gunsaulus concluded his eloquent
invocation with the Lords prayer, IL
which the audience joined. President
Francis. as the chief executive of the
exposition, then delivered an address
At the conclusion of his address
President Francis recognized William
II. Thompson, of the committee Oh
grounds and buildings, who presented
Isaac S. Taylor, the director of works
Mr.. Taylor delivered to President Fran
els the keys of the exposition and pre-
scented diplomas of merit to the chief
of his staff.
After the rendition of the marcl
louisiana" by Sousa's band, Presi
dent Francis transferred the exposi
ton buildings to Frederick j. V. Skifl
the director of exhibits, the perform
ance being emblematic of the fact tina
the buildings had been erected by tn
men in charge of that portion of tn
work and were now ready and waiting
The grand chorus Hymn of tn
West" was then sung by a choir led b
Alfred Ernst The music of the hymn
was by John Knowles Payne and 1t
words by E. Clarence Stedman.'
President Francis then introduce
Mayor Rolla Wells of st. Louis. VIII
spoke briefly, extending to the peopl
of the country cordial welcome to tn
exposition.
Hon. Thomas H. Carter, president {
the national commission. then spok
on behalf of the body of which he
the head.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Carriers az
dress President Francis introduced
member of the senate. This was Sci
ator Burnham of New Hampshire, VIII
made an address.
Following him came James A. TaN
ney of Minnesota, who spoke for ii
national house of representatives. L
congratulated "those who conserve
and accomplished this marvellous r
suit as a means of celebrating the a
niversary of the purchase of the teri
tory of Louisiana" on their magnificel
success.
For the domestic exhibitors, Edwal
III. Hartman, president of the Ne
York commission, delivered an address
The speakers for the foreign exhi
itors was Commissioner General
La Grave of France.
The chorus "America" was then sui
and the Hon. Mr.. Taft. as the repI
sentative of the president of the I'm
ed States, delivered the last adore
of the day.
The conclusion of the speech
Secretary Taft was the signal for Il
opening of the fair. In the Viii
House President Roosevelt was wa
ing for the signal which was to t.
him that the moment had arrived
touch the golden key. that would OPP
the fair in earnest and set its mai
fold machinery in full operation.
Machinery Started.