The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-14


One year ago the lNTELLIGENcER pre-.
sentcd the breakfast tables Of Wheeling
with a unique and detailed account Of
the Mardi Gras mummcry OF the preced.
ing day in the "Nail City" And again
it will picture the way OF celebrating the
great carnival in this, the farthest North
ern city in which such celebration has
yet been held.
During the entire morning the popula.
ton Of the city, augmented by many hun
drcds OF strangers from rail and river
tributaries, was on the tip.toe Of ex.
pectancy. Fortunately the threatening
weather OF the preceding morning chang.
ed its frowns 10 the brightest Of smiles
upon the brilliantly cOstumed masquers.
Leaving for granted all preface as to
supposed origin and object Of these mys.
terious organizations; and not even
touching upon the more practical
aspect OF business attracted to Wheeling
either OF which would demand more
space than we have at Command-we
will hasten to brief and necessarily
condensed description OF the outward and
visible sign each gives OF what inward
and mysterious grace it may and must
possess.
The suggestion made by the daily press,
that the citizens decorate their residences
and places Of business, was quite gener.
ally adopted. Main and Market streets
especially were gay with bunting, while |
many buildings were handsomely decora. |
ted with evergreen. The city building
was hung with the flags OF all nations,
and the other public buildings displayed
the national colors.
During the morning numerous gay
cavaliers, clowns, warriors, knights, imps
and devils could be seen lodging about
the city, bunting for their respective del
egations, and exciting the curiosity of
the multitude to the highest pitch. The
great mass OF the crowd, however,
moved toward the Capitol building,
where, at high noon, King Comus and
the Mystic Krewe were TO demand Of the
Mayor the keys Of the city. By 10 o'clock
several thousand people had assembled
about the building, and the porticos and
steps OF the south front were crowded
with ladies and gentlemen. Shortly after
l2 the sound Of music was heard in the
east, and few moments later the King
of the Carnival, attended by the Grand
Chancellor and about fifty Knights of
the Mystic Krewe, finely mounted and
caparisoned, and headed by the Wheel
ing City Band, marched down 10th street
and halted in front OF the Capitol, where
the Mayor and other officers Of the city,
the City Council, State officers and mem.
bers of the Legislature had assembled TO
do them honor. Rex and his Grand |
Chancellor occupied chariot in the |
centre OF the procession, which halted di- |
rectly in front OF the Capitol. The Grand |
Counselor, whose voice bore a remarka-
bic resemblance TO that OF our late |
Prosecuting Attorney and ex-Speaker Of |
the House OF Delegates, then approach
cd the Mayor and delivered short ad-
dress, demanding of His Honor the keys
Of the city.
The Counselor, in presenting himself
before the Mayor, read the following:
PROCLAMATION.
lloSt Honorable Mayor ollie Ciyof TTheel.
ing:
In humble obedience TO the sovereign
command Of his Mirthful Majesty, King
Menus, l beg leave to announce 10 your
Excellency and the Honorable Council
OF the city Of Wheeling, our Monarch's
most gracious will and pleasure. It
is his Highnsss' instruction that, M his
Grand Counselor, should communicate
TO your ExcellenCy and the honored citi-
zens you go faithfully represent, the most
profound and cordial assurances OF His
Majesty's esteem and Affection and the
kindliest considerations Of his Mystic
Krewe. This is the occasion OF His High
ness second visit 10 your beautiful Capt.
tai city, and it seems eminently fitting,
in the opinion Of our illustrious King,
that the fullest Acknowledgements should
BIO made to all who have been instrument
al in according to him and his obedient
subjects this generous and ilatter-
ing reception, This compliment from
the worthy sons and fair daughters OF
Wheeling to the sovereign and subjects
OF the Kingdom Of Folly is fully rccog.
nized and appreciated. This day has
been set apart by our worthy King as a
uhy OIL luDllec throughout all inc realms
Of his merry dominions. We inspire no
evil example; we inlet no injury upon
society in the folly we excite and in the
innocent mirth and mischief we provoke.
Our coming signifies to all a period OF
unrestrained pleasure and rejoicing. This
does not mean, however, an unbridled Ii.
cense to break the law or violate the code
OF public morals. 1t is simply respite
from care, an exemption from labor, q
truce with trouble, release Tor a short
time from the harassing anxie:ies and
responsibilities Of everyday life, so ne.
cessary and healthiul 10 all classes Of
men. We offer in the Kings name n
cordial invitation to all your citizens to
join the royal pageant and participate
in the pleasures Of the Carnival; and we
proclaim the freest indulgence to the
iun.loving and mirth.provoking subjects
of the city that may be compatible with
the law and good morals. To the end,
therefore, that His Majesty may have
absolute power this day within the
bounds OF this city, that the joys attend.