Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1894-04-26
Our Fair Letter.

SAN FRANCISCO April "a, 94,-On
Friday April II, San Francisco tried
to initiate some Of her sister cities in
the East in tie way of giving a Mar
di Gras festival. As this was the
first occasion of the kind we were
slightly handicapped, but in case it
should take place next year every
thing will run more smoothly. Be-
fore We go into the details of the car
pivsl let US understand little more
about it.
The Mystic Argonauts Of the
Golden West assisted by numerous
merchants and city officials had the
entire charge Of the festival. The
organization Of the Mystic Argo-
nauts has only lately entered upon its
duties. Its object was to give San
Francisco a grand festival and make
1t what the Mardi Gras is to New
Orleans and st. Louis. 1t cost this
city about $4,000, but I have not
heard, as yet II the returns equaled
that amount. The origonal idea was
that if the carnival should be q sue
cess, 1t would be repeated every year,
thus bringing hundreds OF visitors to
the city and placiog thousands of
dollars in circulation. In some re-
spects it has proven q success, in 9TH
ers 1t has not, which is in the major
ity is a difficult question To answer.
AT the same time it created quite q.
sensation and aroused q great deal of
enthusiasm.
The name Mardi Gras is taken
from the French and literally means,
"fat Tuesday" as the name suggests
1t always begins on Tuesday and it
lasts three days.
1t was heralded throughout the
city that on the 18th day Of April the
good ship Argos would arrive in the
harbor with Rex Felix and his court
on board. The suite Of the king con-
sists OF the Royal Herald, Grand
Master, Lord High Admiral, Chief
Justice and numerous other courtiers.
Upon DISSEMINATING at the wharf the
royal party were met by a military
body guard, and citizens Of San Fran
cisco. The parade moved up the.
principal thoroughfare and was met
by the entire Second Brigade of the
State militia and in the evening a
SPECIAL mill tary concert was rendered
in the Vienna Prater. On this even
ing also the finest exhibition of fire.
works yet seen was produced on the
recreation grounds. So ended the
first day.
Early in the afternoon of Wednes-
day commenced the exercises Of the
second day A musical and literary
entertainment was rendered IN Fest
val Hall at the Fair, by the Native
Sons and Daughters of the Golden
West. The recreation grounds wer o
laid out as the Field Of the
Cloth Of Gold. Here the Nativ Q
Sons joined the Mystic Argonauts
in the tournament viii ch consisted ot
feats OF strength and dexterity. In
the evening took place the illuminate
ed Pageant OF Rex Felix and his
court. The parade was led by the
float OF tho Native Sons, following
came the Good Ship Argos, this ID
the Royal float occupied by the King.
Twenty Others followed in close or
der. The parade illuminated by
hnadreds Of lights proceeded directly
30 the Recreation grounds, where
each Ia turn was presented before O
large frame with the immense seurch
Light thrown fully upon it. At the
sstne time took place a pyrotechnic
display.
On Tuesday evening the ceremon.
les ended with Carnival Bal Masque
Twunly nrizoa uara oiv ap ~ tho ho,i