The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-06-13
THE BIG DAY.
A Varied and Magnificent Trades Display
and Procession.

A Varied and Magnificent Trades Display
and Procession.
Special to the Statesman.
GALVESTON, June 1.-THE grand mill
tary and civic display to-day, which in
augurated Semi-centennial day, was
unique and brilliant success. Long before
the hour for the procession to move the
streets through which it was to pass were
closely lacked with living walls OF human
ity, while awnings, balconies and windows
commanding view of the moving pa
geant were at premiums The initial
point was at avenue N and fremont
street.
The line was formed with the regular
army contingent, embracing cavalry,
artillery and infantry heading the column,
under commanded General Smith, of the
U. s. army, and lead by the Nineteenth
Infantry band. This division was follow
ed by the volunteer troops, under com
mand of Brigsdier-generals Oppenhsimer
and Stoddard. Then came the Galveston
fire department with beautifully dec
GRATED engines, with the mayor and city
officials. After the fire laddies came the
civic societies, trades unions, etc., lead by
the Grand Marshal, Captain Charles
Fowler, and staff of assistant msr-hals
and aides. Immediately upon the heels of
these came one of the most elabo-
rately typical displays of Galveston's
trade and commerce, her manufacturing
enterprises and other industries ever seen
in the south. In the fifty odd floats and
vehicles, all artisticsly decorated, which
rolled past the multitude, each was typical
and gave practical illustration of some
industry or art pursued in Galveston.
Houses were in course of construction,
planning mills we're in active operation,
bagglng was being woven, barrels being
made, artesian wells being bored, while
electricity, steam and water played con-
spicuous part in the makeup. 1t was a
grand display, oomprehensively showing
the proRress Galveston had made In the last
fifty years and completely rounding out
her golden jubilee. The parade was
one hour and thirty minutes passing,
and with it gsily bedecked equipages,
vehicles, floats and military in their va
ried uniforms, presented kaleidoscope
transformation that eclipses anything
ever seen here before.
At $50 this evening NJ. McLemore, the
orator of the day, from the judges stand
at Centennial park, told the story Of Gal
vestons birth, rise and progress in trade
and commerce, in industries and the hu-
manizing arts in graphic eloquence and
gloriously predicted what her future would
be fifty years hence, under judicious
and peaceful rule. 1t was grand oration
worthy the man and worthy the theme
Thus closed the Galveston "Semi-cen-
tenial day."
THE BELKNAPs WILL WIN.
GALVESTON, June 1.-The military feat
ures at Centennial park this afternoon
we're the inspection OF the d alas Light
4 Infantry and Hermitage Guards, Nash
vile, at 2:30 p. IN. The companies as.
signed for com petition lin the interstate
contest we're the Washington Guards, Gal
weston, and the Belknap Rifles, of Sar
Antonio. The Washington Guards begar
the contest, and, barring slight nervous
ness at the commencement, which wa
speedily over, they put up splendid drill
and executed the programme in the al
lotted time. Many military connoisseurI
are of the opinion that the Guards eclipseC