Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-12-08
SOUNDING OF TAPS
FOR WORLDS FAIR
Ceremony, Bordering On the Pathet.
ic, Witnessed by Thousands.
TWILL. LONG LIVE IN MEMORY
Thanks to Wise Foresight, the
Closing Day Ended without Any
thing Worse Than Coco Ma
tured Fun and Revelry.

SI. LOUIS, Dec. o.-OI all IHe lemon
STATIONS held at the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition the concluding cere-
monies were the most sincere. Nearly
a quarter of a million persons crowded
the grounds, and voiced the sentiment
Of appreciation that was alive in every
heart.
There have been festival occasions at
the fair, but for the first time there
vas a demonstration that was unani-
nous. The pranks and jokes of those
who brought the exposition to a close
were received in the spirit in which
they were given, and there was scarce
ly a person on the ground who resent
ed the parade of hilarity that was
rampant,
The Pike was thronged from early
in the evening until the last light fad
cd. the hundreds of soldiers, policemen
and Jefferson guards, detailed to keep
order had little to do, their very pres
ehIe being a guarantee against i'm
proper conduct.
Around the Louisiana Purchase
monument as the midnight hour ap-
preached the throhgs gathered with
the r.:lnute guns booming, awaiting the
concluding moment that would bring
Tie great exposition to a close.
accompanied by his wife, members
Of the board of directors. Vice-Pres,
dant Corwin H. Spencer and Director
CT Works Taylor, President Francis
entered the stand that had been erect
ell at the foot of the Louisiana monu-
ment. on the Plaza of st. Louis, shortly
before midnight.
E'anking the enti:e plaza on all sides
the sitatest that had ever
gathered upon the historic spot waita1
b eathlessly for the signal that was to
! relcgate the exposition to the domain
OF the Fast.
Notwithstanding Duty.
Rising from hts seat, President
Francis faced the people, with his wife
standing at his right. 1t was evident
that he was much affected, and the
crowds cheered his appearance until
the air rang with applause.
Il am about to perform a heart"
renting duty" were the opening words
O. President Francis, who, as he spoke,
placed his hand upon the arm of his
wife. His voice, though strong, trem-
bled as he spoke, and, waving his
hands towards Festival hall and the
cascades that doomed through the gath
erirg mist, ablaze with the glory that
was soon to pass forever, he contin-
ued.
Mrs. Francis and / have been
blessed with six Sol II | were called
uuon to lose one of them tomorrow
the only consolation | could find would
be the record left behind him. So, when
We are called upon to loose the great
exposition, the only consolation left to
us is the record that it leaves behind
Turning the switch through which
ran the entire electric current that il
Illuminated the grounds and turned the
wheels of the exposition, he quoted the
familiar words of Cardinal Wolsley:
Farewell, a long farewell, to all thy
splendor!"
The lights upon the buildings grad
ually faded, The entire grounds were
in darkness, and a hush fell upon the
people. For a brief moment there was
not a sound, and then, raising theil
voices, the assemblage cheered anc
cheered until it would seem that life
would be recalled to the dead exposi'
ton.
Demolition Begun.
Shouting and cheering, the crowds
Withdrew through the darkness ant
taxed the capacity Of the street cars.
The demonstration on the Pike wa
one of the features of the evening
Packed with a mass of humanity the
street of fun was alive with merrimen
and hilarity. 1t was feared that trouble
might result from the festival feeling
that prevailed, but although there wa'
no restraint to the merrymaking ther'
was no repetition of the d~isgracefu
scenes that characterized the las
nights at Chicago and Buffalo.
The work of dismantling the exposi
ton will be pushed with all speed. l
is the desire of every exhibitor ant
every state commission to get off tn
grounds as soon as possible. In thi
general movement the exposition
company will aid, and there will b
Y;tt1a do1av in moving freight.