The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-15
NOW, THE NEXT.
Mardi Gras Of 1883 a Big Success.
There Were Few Programmed At
fractions, but They Were Daisy.
Sufficient Amusement Found in
Eyeng and Guying One Another.
The Most Orderly Celebration of the
Kind Ever Held in Any City.
A Glistening Fire Department En-
tertains In the Afternoon.
A Beautiful Night, Made So by the
Great Sphinx Pageant.
Fifteen Picturesque Floats Poorly
Shown Up by Side Lights.
The Return of the Memphi Appro-
priately Recognized.
A Large Audience OF Wealth and
Fashion at the Theater.
The Return of the Memphi Appro-
priately Recognized.
A Large Audience OF Wealth and
Fashion at the Theater.
Two Magnificent Tableaux and
Egyptian Military Figures.
Letters OF Acknowledgement and Re-
gret From Cows. Hughes, of Arkan-
sas, and Lowry, of Mississippi
Send in Your Bills to
Count De Noses.

Like as the greater always absorbs the
lesser, St. Valentines day was an occasion
unknown in Memphis. 1t was swallowed
up by Mardi Gras, and may perhaps have
contributed somewhat 10 the immense pro-
portions OF the latter event. Was Mardi
Gras SUGGEST Well, it is by no means
likely that any one Of the 10000 people
here would vote otherwise II given a
chance at the ballot. Fint, the weather
was Of a gorgeously favorable character
Clear as u bell. balmy as tropical spring,
and yet not 50 warm that even the
slightest discomfort was experienced in
the partially air-tight. fanciiul costumes
donncd by the giddy masqucraden.
Few OF tho active participants appeared
on the streets before 10 o'clock. Weary
from the preceding day and nights icstiv-
iiies and vigorous exercise, the citizens and
visitors cared not 10 rise with the sun and
lark, but rather tarried in last struggle
with Morpheus. When they did appear,
however, they made up Tor moments de.
voted to slumbcr and rest. There was
little 10 attract them NO far rs pre-
arranged programs were concerned. This
cut quito small figure. One was inter
ested in the other. All wandered aim.
lcssly up and down the principal thorough.
fares, eagerly scanning the few disguised
forms floating about, apparently bent on
making themselves as weary as possible.
The favorite weapon, carried by nearly
every masqucrader, and few who found
pleasure enough in cleanly shaven faces
and fresh collars. played the most con-
spicuous part in the exercises. From early
morning ill late at night the hideous
blasts hoaied on every passing zephyr,
finding unwclcome lodgment in the au.
ricular appcndages OF self.sacriiicing hu.
manity. The stuffed club also figured
prominently, and fell with resounding
whacks upon unsuspecting individuals
preceding them but a short distance, par.
tcularly II that individual had the temerity
10 wear a plug hat. From this giddy pas
time a number OF scrapping matches arose,
and still more friendships were forever
sundered.
Despite the usual number OF misunder
standings which always attach 10 such .
mighty outpouring Of people OF all classes
and character, the Mardi Gras OF lsSS
will 10 down into history as one OF th,
most orderly ever held. The police found
few disturbances Of sufficient moment
10 warrant interference. IL Il
quito likely that the ordinarily street guar
dians OF the peace, remembering the lati
tude always sanctioned by the authorities
on such occasions, found u convenient e
look In an opposite direction TO that from
which came angry but harmless noices
On the station-houso docket not over I
dozen arrests were registered before dark
nearly all for assault and battery. Ever
these would have been overlooked but fo
the fact that they were too full OF booze &
guard against repctitions.
The procession OF the Motley Krewe, ad
vcrtsed for o o'clock n. IN, was for som'
reason postponed until the afternoon. A
number of runs were made by the fire de
partmcnt, some In answer 10 fire alarms
others 10 entertain the visitors and giy'
them a faint idea Of how little chance Their
n for a conhagraiion In the city. Ate
the first postponement no ono knew Jus
when the procession would move, but
close lookout was kept. About o,clocI
y. m, struggling wagons proiusel.
decorated with small flags and stream
efA, began 10 upptHf Aih bi
was accepted rs the signal. Those no
already on Main street moved as rapid,
as possible In that direction. by 2 o'clocl
pm. both sides of that broad avenue wer
lined with a surYing mass OF humanity, q
was also nearly the entire street Whcl
finally II did appear tho police found grca
difficulty In forcing tho crowds back &
make barely enough room for the displa
10 pass. In the meantime Prof. Arnold
efficient band Of musicians onlivcned III
proceedings with stirring selections. Fin
came Chief Of Police Davis and Capis
Hackett and 0'Ilavcr; next, the cniir
Gre department, the machines looking q
neat and trim as though just from th
mandatory. Following these cam
beautifully decorated wagons, bearing I'D
ycrtisinq signs. Among the most atiractiy
Of these were the schliiz Brewing CON
pany. the steam laundry, the sawric
Rozler company, tho Memphis Pape
company, d. II. Baldwin, and llartie
Schicd. II didn't require great deal
time for these 10 pass in review, and th
remaining hour prior TO the great sphin
procession were devoted TO street spof'
and appcaslng hunger. .. II,
II was $50 clock last night before IN
signal rocket from tho Poplar street mafk'