Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1896 — ROUNDS A CENTURY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ROUNDS A CENTURY.

TENNESSEE CELEBRATES AD MISSION TO STATEHOOD. Inaugural of the Centennial Exposition Io Also Performed—lm posing Parade at Nashville 'President Thomas Raises a Flag. Centennial Is Celebrated. The 100th anniversary of Tennessee’s admission to the Union as a State was celebrated in Nashville on a -most elaborate scale. Thousands of visitors from all the cities and towns in the State were in attendance, besides hundreds from various other States, including the Governors and State officials. It is estimated that in spite of a heavy rain froth 10,000 to 15,000 people took part in the great parade. There were scores of carriages with national, State and municipaHdignitaries, attended at the front and rear by bands of music; 3,000 State and Federal shldiers, including four companies of cavalry: each 100 strong; the officers a fid assistants of the centennial,: the entire Woman’s Board, the Ladies’ Hermitage Association, the Tennessee Historical Society,* scores of secret orders, traveling men’s associations, postoffice employes, trades and labdr societies, Confederate veterans. 1.000 wheelmen, 2,500 citizens on horseback, scores of organizations,2,soo colored people representing the societies of that race. At the grounds 10,000 children paraded and welcomed the vast procession while cannons roared. There was a proclamation and flag raising by John W. Thomas, president of the exposition, followed by elaborate anniversary exercises. The principal address was by J. M. Dickinson, who spoke for an hour. He gave an elaborate history of Tennessee, and traced its progress to the present under the heads of religion, education -patriotism, law and order, Democratic government, emancipation, the war and recuperation. Exposition to Be Held in 1897, The Celebration of Monday and Tuesday commemorates the centennial of Tennessee’s appearance among the States of the Union, but the exposition in memory of the event will 'not really open until May 1, 1897. It will be the first Indus'trial exposition eve? held by any State in commemoration of its birth, and, judging by the work already done and the plans for the future, it will be large enough and beautiful-enough to give it a high position among American fairs. For three

years the plans have been under discussion, and work upon, the grounds and buildings has been in progress since the latter part of 1895. It is estimated that the entire cost of construction and preparation of the grounds will amount to $1,000,000, to which the salary list and other necessary expenses will add some $500,000 more. Many of the buildings are already nearing completion, and the beautifying of the grounds is well under way.

SOME OF THE TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS.