The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-30
REAL GORGEOUS.
Suggestions Made For Series
of Twelve Tableaux
fTO Be Given at the State
= House
AT THE FES TIVAL L
Projected for Next Year in the
Capital City,
Salient Features in the History
of Kansas.
IT NEEDS 500 PEOPLE
To Render the Spectacle as
Proposed.
The Designs Are Roughly
Sketched Below.
To Render the Spectacle as
Proposed.
The Designs Are Roughly
Sketched Below.

A Topeka man has outlined for the
STATE JOURNAL a description of what
the tableaux proposed for the Fall Festi-
val ought to be. 1t has been suggested
that these tableaux be given on the south
steps of the state house with the south
front as a back ground. The broad land
Ing would make a fine stage and very
effective grouping of the characters
could be done on the steps above the
landing. The big corridor and offices
could be used as dressing rooms. The
tableaux would each require from 100 to
300 people and could be seen by from
10000 to $4,000 spectators gathered in
front of the steps. A large drop curtain
could be suspended in front Of the stage.
while the buttresses on each side would
serve to conceal the formation
of the tableau from the sides. Brilliant
ly lighted up with red fire and calcium
lights, each of these pictures would be q
snowy spectacle. The plau of the tab
leaux which Geo NJ. Stone, the artist,
has promised to design with suitable
draping and coloring is as follows.
Tableau 1-Prehistoric Kansas-Rep-
resenting the great plains before white
men trOd upon them. Indians in their
native attire hunting the buffalo. In
dian tepees in the background. For
this purpose the stuffed buffalo from the
museum in the state house might be
utilized, and also one or two of Prof
Dyche's specimens might be lent for the
occasion. The spirit of the tableau
would De heightefa3 by placing the In
dians on horseback. although there is
SONS doubt whether horses were known
on the great plains prior to Coronado's
march
ableau 2-March of Coronado Across
Kansas.-This picture could be made
gorgeous with bright mediaeval cos
tunes. All the figures would be in
Spanish dress of the 10th century There
would also be occasion to use horses in
this tableau; they should be richly cap
arisoned to heighten ths effect.
Tableau 3-The Santa Fe TraiI-The
central feature should be one of the old
fashioned "trail" wagons with a big
spread of canvas, drawn by four mules
Uncle Sans soldiers in the uniform of
1S49, wearing their tall hats with cock
sdes. should be introduced. This would
also be essentially an equestrian picture.
Tableau 4-FOunding of Topeka-This
could be represented by fac-simile of the
log cabin built about where the Park
hurst-Davis wholesale grocery now
stands. Characters to represent the
early settlers should appear in this. Col.
Holiday and Mr.. F. w. Giles could lock
after the costuming of the participants
III this scene, TO see that they were ''his-
tOrically correct"
Tableau 5--The Hanging of John
Brown-This was one of the great
features Of the history of early Kansas,
although it did not take place on Kansas
soil. Still it is essentially part of Kan
sas history. This scene properly repre-
sented could be made thrilling to high
degree. OF course the curtain should
fall before the drop does
Tableau 6.-Quantrell's g. Raid This
would be one of the big pictures of the
series and would require much prepara-
ton and considerable pains and expense.
Panied representations of the houses in
Lawrence would be necessary, and it
would also be requisite to use a great
deal of red fire TO re present a contiagra-
tiOn. This would have to be carefully
manipulated to prevent a real fire. Fires
are however, very we'll given on the
stages of theater5 where the danger is
much greater.
Tableau THE Battle of the Blue
This would afford an opportunity for
grand military picture with floating
flags, and masses of troops. and all wars
panoply. There are enough survivors of
TINS famous battle to secure a correct
picture of it,
Tableau g. TRANSPORTATION Scene and
End OF the War. This would afford the
oest opportunity for spectacular effect of
any OF the tableaux AIlegorical figures
rooed in white or the American colors.
carrying palm branches as a sign of VIC
tory could be introduced to great advan-
LagS. figure appearing as the Angel
OF Feace should be seen above the SOL
diers returning from the war; and an i'm
mense American flag might be unfolded
from the front of the capitol at a given
signal. Ideas for this picture might be
borrowed from other war aIlegories.
Iaoleau 9-Period of the GrasshoDnar
Devastation. This scene might be made
comic or otherwise. Either young men
might be costumed as grasshoppers. tom
ahaWklng the farmers and performing
various amusing antics, or a representa-.
tlon OF corn fields and woods stripned
bare could be shown. The comic tabIeau
would probably be best.
Iableau 10-Adoption of Prohibition
rms Is one of the most striking episodes
iu the history of Kansas and opinions
might vary on how it should be portrayed
Inc saloon with its attendant vice Rnd
crime might be shown vanishing into the
playground, while the school and the
home come to the 'front.'
1Sblesu 11-Granting of Muuicipal