The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-05-06
THE BATTLE OF THE ROSES
SANTA BARBARA, CAL. April 81, '92,

sunshine mot q cloud IN the sky, and
soft and balrly breeze from the ocean.
The mercury was about 75 degrees.
State street, the great boulevard OF
Santa Barbara, is from one to two miles
in length, 80 feet in width, straight as
an arrow, paved with asphalt. Ii rms
from the ocean or bay northwesterly. and
contains the business houses. hotels
churches, and some OF the private resi-
dences.
The Arlington, the largest of these
hotels. at the upper end OF this avenue,
presents most attractive appearance
with its fine lawn filed with TROPICAL
trees, Towering shrubs, roses and Gala
lilies.
It was just above the Arlington at the
head of this broad and noisless street
that the battle OF the roses occurred
This boulevard OF Santa Barbara for
nearly mile was closed to all vehicles.
excepting such as were decorated. and
took part in the procession. Pedestrians
had the right-of-way. All business
houses were closed and mos. of them
decorated with bunting in every conceiy-
able color OF the rainbow, with flags and
streamers. palms, flowers and rare
exotics. As we stood at the Arlington
and looked southwark, there rose to our
view waving banners. nodding piumes.
the national flag displayed everywhere.
and great sea Of humanity. 1t was a
magnificent sight. From early morn
young men and maidens, fathers and
matrons were hard at work decorating
One lady had 10 OF her friends from S
o'clock in the morning assisting her in
decorating her phaeton. When | tell
| you that this lady used over 10000
| Duchess roses on this one phaeton YOU
will understand the necessity oi early
rising on Queen Flora's festal day.
| All through the morning men were
| hurrying TO and fro with arms filed with
| flowers, women laden with baskets OF
blossoms, little boys with carts of hello
trope, mignonette, carnations, California
poppies, callas and roses. Scores OF men
decorating their homes and business
| places. visitors in carriages watching
this scene of hustle and gladness.
II is O'Clock. We are seated in the
sunshine, awaiting the coming OF the
| goddess and her train OF followers. The
military band Is heard. The procession
is moving. As we look down the street
there appears before US cathedral aisle
"a vista OF gorgeous colors like the hues
that stream through the stained glass
1 " AAslGA Va lE CT 4 GuE- - sea
of eager, sxpectani, upturned faces, as IL
the worshipers were waiting the "eleva-
ton OF the Host" only it lacks the
solemniiy OF such an occasion.
/ Near us thousands are gathered on the
raised Eeats waiting the appearance oi
Queen Flora, nearly all carrying baskets
OF flowers or bouquets, which are TO be
strewn in her pathway as she passes.
and as ammunition in the battle sceue.
And now the procession comes moving
on What spiendor Of colors, whai
fragrance in the air. what a scene oil
beauty. Flora rides in a float, broad
and grandiy built, under royal canopy
Of cloth OF gold supported by golden
spears. Around her in couch shells are
her attending nymphs- She is lair as
the white roses that deck her state. Hei
dress is like the film OF . fieecy cloud.
The float Is d=cked with moss and
iillies aud drawn by l garlanded horses
with Positions and out riiers
The people shout their welcome. and
strew her pathway with rsrest blossoms
How shall describe this long line O
fioais. phae;ons, boats Rnd basket shap
ed vehicles on which scarce yestige o
body or running gear can be seen. 4
Roman chariot approaches, covered with
flowers. In il are standing two ssatel,
maideus aErayed in Roman robes OF pale
pink and green. Their superb costumes
is only eqnaiei by their superb driving
Are We in Rome, and where is Caesar
Are we in Egypt, and where is CIeopa'
ira? No, this is 4 conquest OF peace
Here are the haymaSers, float deckct
J with fragrant hay and flowers and
blossoming mustard. The lads and
lassies with rakes and forks make {
charming scene And here are ths
phaetons. One covered with whi,s
pampns. The wheels are 50 enveloped
that they un as softly as IL on q velvet
carpet Following this another with
the colored pampns in maTigOsd hues. :
, beautiful sight. This one is golden in
marigoId. The ladies dressed in same
color, the horses and position in perfect
agreement. Everything q deep rich
yeilow-men, ladies, horses and pllgeioa
Another decked with roses Of spoises:
white, milk white horses, harness cover
ed with white silk, the ontrideFs ii
, white. two ladies' so beautifully white
that they may be cherubim, and around
thousands Of roses in bower OF roses
|, The prize phaeton is white and lavender
the outriders with white waislcoais and
lavender trousers. Young ladies IL
white and lavender buried in white ans
lavender flowers. Now a bell oil Gala
, lilies. The wheels, the horses all hid
den by callas. surreys, wagonettes
, drays, pony carts-f can not count them
A band OF Spanish troubaaours on horse
, back sing as they pass sad play Spanish
airs on their guitars. The bicycles fol
low. One has canopy OF flowers d fee
J ,..l stxa., e. fnrky lima n
horsemen, with varied representations
The old Cahiornians, the continents
, dress in flowers with BIO Jonathan Il
remind us of everlasting Yankee no
, tion." The little donkeys and theil
carts with their little drivers, the sweet
est flowers of all.
The battle Of rases has commenced
From every carriage and horseman, from
the spectators seats, officials and civil
lians, the missiles are thrown First 6
few iimid shots back and forth, and the
people begin 10 catch the carnival frenzy
The air is filed with falling flowers
Delicate women and strong men give nc
, quarter te each other, and for an hour oi
more the battle RACES. The horses are
ietlock in flowers. 4 horsemsn Is strucs
, full in the face with a well aimed bou
quet. As it falls to the ground he throw,
himself on the side of his horse. secures
the prize and waving his hand to tbs
lovely sharp.shooter, he keeps il as
, trophy OF her victory.
Where do these flowers come from yot
say. Ireply. this is the land oil flowers
One lady picked three bushels OF rose
| from two small bushes within IS hours
1t could not be discovered that any wer
missing. Santa Barbara is the home o
} the goddess Flora.
We visit today the war steame
} Charleston that is in our harbor. She
the guest Of Santa Barbara this wee
and extends her courtesies to her 'citi
zens and the strangers within her bord
ers. Sincerely yours,
Il f s BARRows.
Mayor Darcy, OF Salem, has vetoed
bill for i:aprovirg chemeketa street, be
cause the city Is already In debt SIoo. .ooc
and he thinks there should be a stop. HI
says in his message, a red hot affair
"What has caused the downfall OF an
: stagnation of business Ia many cities o
J the United Sta,esi 1t has been brough
about by the "booming" cry of impecuni