A correspondent to the Russell Record in Russell County, Kansas, offered this account of Opening Day of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Despite having a rather unpleasant time adrift in the “Surging Sea of Humanity” assembled in Jackson Park for the ceremony, and despite the World’s Fair being far from complete in early May, this Kansan advised that “No one, who can conveniently see it, should fail to do so.”

Thousands and thousands of people collected on the grounds and crowded before the Administration building last Monday to see the Fair formally opened by Pres. Cleveland. The crush was terrible just east of the rostrum where the President, the Duke of Veragua, Mrs. Palmer, Mayor Harrison and others were seated. Many women fainted. Strong men gasped for breath in that jam under the open heavens. The mud was deep and tenacious. Rubbers stuck in the mire and umbrellas were knocked down and trampled upon.

Very few heard Cleveland or any other speaker. Though within twenty yards of the stand, not a word was intelligible to us. Only a confused murmur was borne to the ear. Finally after a number of speeches had been made and the blind chaplain of the senate (?) had offered up an interminable prayer at which many groaned in spirit and not a few openly—not irreverently but because they were anxious to reach the end of the agony of the crush—the president touched an electric button.

The flags were unfurled. The magnificent guilt Statue of the Republic, east of and facing the Administration building, was unveiled. The crowd sent up a great shout, perhaps of relief that the jam would end, rather than joy that the Fair was open.

“The Surging Sea of Humanity at the opening of the Columbian Exposition.” [Image from Kilburn stereoscope card.]

SOURCE

“Chicago Correspondence” Russell (KS) Record May 11, 1893, p. 4.