Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-03-18
MARDE GRAs ar GALVESTON
TEXAS.

the MdfQl tJfaS.
The first day / found a mixed
multitude of men, women and
children of all ages and sizes, stand
ing on street corners, galleries, roofs
&C., awaiting the arrival of King
Menus. He has already sailed
from some distant island and is
booked to visit his loyal subjects at
Galveston. Ills ediets and COM
mandnents have already Been IL
sued to the citizens in the shape Of
outlandish and mysterious looking
cards. AT 0 O'clock | lind myself
on an elevated place on the wharf,
where more than a hundred vessels
from all parts of the world are lying
with their flags flying. On the
wharf, on the barges and vessels
are the spectators, military eonpa-
MES, brass bands, &c. A $50 with
our glasses we spy the Revenue
Gutter turning Bolivar Point, with
King MOmus and his body guards
on board. When they come within
three miles OF us, they fire salute
of six guns, which is returned by
same on land. After a while the
Cutter heaves to, when the mighty
King shows himself amidst the
roaring of cannon, the clash of brass
bands and the shouting of the null
titude. Well, to tell you how the
King looks is more than l can do.
He looks as though he might weigh
about 400 pounds. He wears Il
golden colOred costume with scales
all over it-with an immense crown
on his head, and a nose on his face
over foot long. His escort consists
of various characters-a pelican, an
alligator, frog &c. &c. &C., all
dressed to life. A most gorgeous
chariot awaits him, the line of
march, over mile long, is now TAX
en- up. He is followed first by his
loyal subjects of the Island, dressed
| to represent certain animals; then
the military companies of the State
&C., while on each side was the
gazing, gaping crowd. This lasts
till u, when the keys of the city
were turned over to the King. He
forthwith proclaimed that nothing
but mirth and fun should prevail
during his stay. Later in the even
ingihe Forty Funny Fellows made
their appearance = taking off the
/ State government, municipal affairs
and local hits. AT $50 in an instant
the city was lit up as light as day,
by the Brush electric light. This
! is so bright that it hurts ones eyes
to look at it, even at glance. That
night Grand Mosques and balls
were given at the Cotton Exchange
and the Pavilion, the latter being
out on the beach, which was lighted
| by the electric light. The celebra-
ted Chicago brass band made the
music. l took a prominent seat
where | could see the crowd below,
which amounted to nearly 1000.
| With the glare of the electric light,
the music of over forty instruments
and the roar of the Gulf waves, it
presented an enchanting scene, long
to be remembered. The first night
we had no sleep at ali, as the festIv-
tiles lasted till day. Next day was
taken up by the r. o. Ms, and
X. O. MS, which consisted uf i'm
mense floats. on when were Gre
clan statuary, barges on which were
representatives of nymphs, fishes
&c. &C., making in all forty wagons.
1t was ali imposing scene and
brought forth many funny remarks
from our rustic friends. On that
night was the scramble tor beds
Hotel clerks had assigned from two
TO four TO each bed and cot. The
consequence was, you were always
in somebody's bed. While you
were disputing over it, one or two
others would come in and claim it
There was q good deal of language
used that is not recorded in the
Revised New Testament. The
Mardi Gras was a success. We all
made good and profitable sales, and
all were glad to get back home and
get good nights sleep. 1t now
makes me tired and sleepy to think
of it. DICK R.
Palestine, Tex, Mar. 6, 1882.