The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-20
TO THE KING OF CORN.
knights of Ak Sar Ben CeIe-
brate the Prosperity of
Nebraska.
No More Will the Faithful Use the
Valuable Grain for Build
ing Fires.

OMAHA, NEBR., Sept. 19.-The crown
ing act and triumph of the Nebraska State
Fair adjunct observances was the ceIebra-
ton of the Feast of Mondamin by the Or
der of the Knights of Ak Sar Ben. This
was the fourth and last event of carnival
week, and was undoubte dly the most bril-
liant and significant event of the sort ever
seen in the West. The Feast of Monda-
min is the term used to express the great
corn crop which Mondamin, the king OF
corn. has bestowed upon his subjects. The
Knights of Ak Sar Ben is an organization
of the leading business and society men OF
Omaha. Samson. Lord High Chamber
lain to his Majesty Ak Sar Ben, had issued
commands to his faithful servants to
gather in the city of Omaha on this date to
pay their devotions to this god Mondamin.
The Den. which was once called the Coli
scum, and in which the Populists held q
National convention in 1892, was trans
formed into palace of beauty in prepara-
ton for the great ball, at which the King
and Queen AK Sar Ben are to be crowned.
Ak Sar Ben Is, OF course, an inverted SPELL
ing of Nebraska, but not over thousand
people present knew it.
The tradition as exemplified by the
poem which will be published by the
World-Herald tomorrow morning is that
the sons of the province of Nebraska be
came Indifferent to the good deeds of
Mondamin and the benefcence of corn.
They failed to thank him for his good acts
and even went so far as to burn the corn
while there were many in want for this
corn. Hence he laid last year blight
| upon the land of Nebraska and it was
burned by drought and its meadows were
parched. men and beasts starved and want
was abroad in this province. Winter and
cold made the misery greater. But the
cries of the destitute touched the heart OF
Mondamin and he gave rain in abundance,
SO that the State was filled with plenty,
and he commanded that all his subjects
should come to Omaha to worship. Hence
the parade and celebration.
This parade was formed Of twenty Of the
great floats of the last Mardi Gras celebra-
ton at New Orleans, adapted to these con-
ditions, and were rich in beauty and
coloring. The largest crowd which ever
mbled on the streets OF Omaha was
here tonight and witnessed these floats
attended by gorge ously attired knights,
and the delight and enthusiasm of the
spectators were great. All stores were
closed to- day, and the theaters and night
races and amusements did not open until
after the parade, which was not completed
until 10 80 o'clock. The city was in gala
attire and shone with brilliance. After
the parade the knights. returned to the
Den, where the great ball was held.
The grand march was led by the King
and Queen, yet in mask, and 500 other
couples. After the grand march came the
browning of the King and Queen and their
unmasking and the revelation of their
identity, which has been kept secret
until tonight. A very great crowd was at
the Den and the ball will last until morn
ing Forty-tive of the most beautiful and
prominent ladies of the city are in attend
ance upon the Queen, and their costumes
are very fine. The ball itself is said to be
the most successful and elegant social
function ever held west of the Missouri.