San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-04-22
THE BATTLE OF FLOWERS
1T WAS THE GRANDEST SPEC
TACLE EVER WITNESSED
IN THIS CITY.
1t Gathered Thousands and Tens OF
of Thousands of Eager Spec
tators, All of Whom Gazed
Enraptured on the Grand
Pageant and Its
Splendors.

Over half a century ago the
beautiful Sunset City was bathed
in blood and the battle for Texan
liberty trembled in the balance as
the lifeblood of true chivalry was
poured out in martyrdom on the
Alamo Plaza and within the sacred
walls of the old Alamo. The noble
band of defenders of justice and
freedom were beset on every side
by a relentless foe to every prin-
ciple of true manhood. The horde
that comprised this foe trampled
down beneath their bloody heels
the flower of ValOr, patriotism and
martyrdom, but swift and speedy
reckoning was in store for Santa
Annals saffron hued hordes and the
cause of right, justice, manhood and
liberty prevailed on the grand field
of San JacintO. When the old
flag of Texas floated at half
mast as a tribute to the
martydom of the noble patriots
who had persisted there, its drOop-
ing folds with the lone star in its
field then fOretOld a few days ago
the readers of the stars that soon
it would float at full mast to COM
memorate this grand, glorious and
overwhelming victory. That proud
banner so tlOated yesterday above
the summit of the sacred pile
whose walls sheltered and whose
shadows mantled the bravest men
that history has known or whose
deeds have been sung.
When it was proposed to COM
memOrate their grand example
and achievements after years had
smOOthed down and time had
borne away the influences of strife,
it was thought that the way to best
commemorate it was with a blood
less battle with the petals of the
flowers of this grand state, 50 SYM
bOlic Of the virtues of her heroes
and the noble blood they
shed. These flowers in the fairy
hands and taper fingers of the
the fair daughters of Texan chival-
ry were shOwered on the heads of
thousands of admirers.
Long before the hour for the
grand pageant, stream of patriot
&c people poured from their homes,
and visitors gathered from abroad
to witness the grand spectacle, and
attest suitably their appreciation
Miles of bunting, evergreens and
flowers tlOated from the fronts and
SUBMITS of the business houses
and dwellings Of the city and the
banner of Texas and the Star
Spangled flag of the nation waved
in the breeze and was kissed by
the bright sunlight of a day love
ly as could be hoped for, and emf
nently BETTING the grand ami
VerSary it succeeded.
TIE PROCESSION.
The various divisions forming
the procession began to form on
Avenue ID, near the post office
and when they all had formed.
forward over the line OF
the march. The procession was
composed Of two grand divisions,
1t was headed by Chief Marshal
Gustave Duerler and his aid
Ferdinand Hertf, Jr., who were fol-
lowed by the eX-fireman's band.
THE BELKNAPS.
The famous Belknap rifles, com
manded by Capt. Robert b. Green
followed behind the band and seven
sets of tours with full complement
OF officers kept step with their mar.
tlal tread and swing to its music
Chief Peck of the fire department
headed the fire laddieS and rode a
line chestnut sOrrel decked with
red and white roses. Peck's helmet
and uniform was covered with
flowers. He was followed by the
chemical engine, on which was
seated bevy of beautiful girls
embedded in flowers, while MOSES
and eVergreens filled the frame OF
the apparatus.
The truck and aerial ladders
which followed We're also beauti.
fully decorated.
Next in order came the hose cart
and engine of Fire company No.
which We're both deliberately orna.
mented. Following was the reel
and engine of Fire company No. 2
on which was grand floral pro,
fusion. Sam Houston Fire com.
pany No. 3, which was beautifully
decorated came next. A promi.
nent feature of the decoration was
n II 70 ha11