The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-12-06
FAIR
At St. Louis Is
Over.
Final Ceremonies In
Honor Of
MIR. FRANCIS,
President of Exp0si.
ton Company.
Big Show Lasted Seven Months
and Was a Complete
Success.

st. Louis, Dec. 1.-The Louisians
Purchase exposition has ended. The
magnificent exposition whose tendrila
Of interest have extended into every
portion Of the civilized world and
even into aboriginal recesses. bring
ing within the gates Of st. Louis mil
lions OF visitors. has run its course
and now passes into history as prob
ably having comprised the most rep
resentative collection OF the re-
sources, industries, art, peoples and
customs Of the world ever assembled.
From the inception of a project to
hold an exposition fittingiy to conn.,
memorate the one hundredth anni-
versary Of the purchase of the Louisi-
ana territory, until the portals were
thrown open and the world was invit-
ed to enter and enjoy the completed
exhibition of the worlds life, occupied
a period of seven years. The dura-
tion Of the exposition has been seven
months, and during that time nothing
effect on the interest or to detract
from the exposition in any way.
Throngs Of visitors have poured IN
to attend the exposition with the ex-
pectation of being pleased. They have
departed amazed and gratifed. The
opinion has been expressed at all
times, on all sides and without re-
serve that the exposition has been q
success.
The man probably most prominent
ly known in connection with the fair
is the president, David R. Francis
and 1t was deemed fitting that the
final day should be designated as
Francis Day" In his honor.
The closing exercises were held ai
the base Of the Louisiana Purchase
monument in the Plaza Of St Louis
where were held seven months age
the exercises that formally opened
the gates to the world The principal
speeches delivered were by Gov
Docksry. Of Missouri. and President
Francis. Mayor Wells spoke briefly.
After the cheering following Pres
ident Francis speech had died away
Festus ]. Wade, Of st. Louis, a mem
Der of the board Of directors. present
| ed to President Francis a beautiful
| silver service as a token Of esteem
from the exposition management
similar gift was presented to Treas
urer William H. Thompson.
| At o'clock all the great exhibi
palaces were closed and visitors wer,
excluded. In the palace of agricul
ture onslaughts were made on SOM
/ Of the exhibits where the setting
were composed Of straw and fragil'
material, and for time general de
| r,,0litfo1 woc fhrootanal h,rf xrorn =,
action in effecting a general eject
ment put a stop to the threatene'
turmoil.
AS the night drew on throngs con
centrated In the main avenues +
view for the last time the magnificen
electric illumination. One soil
stream of humanity swept throug
the Pike from end to end. The spiri
of revelry was there. Never sine
the opening had more enlivenmen
been shown at night on the grounds
Over on agricultural Knoll tn
great floral clock clicked on the mir
utes of the departing pageant, and
, the night rang out the tones Of th
J massive bell as the midnight hou
was tolled by the great clock. In
, stantly a hush seemed to pervade th
, entire grounds. The glowing electri
bulbs slowly began dimming. the pu
sations of the great engines that drov
l the cascades gradually died dow
, The light faded steadily. diminishin
! until but faint glow was perceptibl
Suddenly there was darkness and tt
Louisiana Purchase exposition hs
passed into history.