The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-16
AVENUE LOOKED ROSY
With Hundreds of Paper Lanterns
Last Night.
THE STATE L. A. VI. MEETING

Began With q Pretty Display by the
BicycIists on Kansas Avenue Last
Night-TOday's Events.
Topeka's ''honest man" must have been
at the seashore for his summer vacation,
otherwise the 275 modern diogones,
would have discovered him with their
multitudinous lanterns as they threaded
the various highways and byways last
evening.
Not since ratification" night has To-
peka streets been so impossible with
surging, rushing throng. as last evenings
gathering to witness the bicycle lantern
parade, which opened the state meet,
Early in the evening bicycles trimmed
with paper lanterns trundled slowly up
towards the Copeland filling all of Kan
sas avenue far above the hotel, where
they proceeded to slight up"
There might be seen the beautiful and
dainty ornament of quaint design, right
from the Royal Mikado factory. On a
neigh boring wheel reposed a sample
from the Flowery Kingdom of the Coles
tials; while a good many were from
New York factories. specimens of
humanity from ''the cradle to the grave"
composed the procession.
One ''wee tot" carried a shoe box
carved after the manner of Jack o'lan-
tern that carried the memory of many a
spectator to the pumpkin fields of New
England.
There was the crinkly folding bed
style that always hangs from the trees at
a lawn fete. Others were the size of a
champaign glass.
The procession moved away in broken
series of threes and tours at exactly 8:15a
amid the plaudIts of thousands of specta-
tors.
The first ripple of excitement was
caused by the burning of lantern in the
upper pyramid of the Syracuse wheel
display.
Two very pretty designs were umbreI-
las festoOned with lantern pendants ala
ear drops. A revolving wheel within a
whesf caused favorable comment
Another happy hit was lantern at the
top of pole reaching up and back after
the manner of a trolley.
There were young ladies in the parade,
perhaps in the proportion of one to five.
OF these the best was the rider who car
ried tri-colored parasol in one hand
skillfulIy managing her wheel through
all the trying ride with the other.
There were four miles of march and
one or two collisions occurred, but none
were hurt.
Wah Lee reviewed the parade from
the laundry on Seventh, and pronounced
is "alIe samee, bella good, likee China
land"
A group of small boys saluted the lead
ers at Eighth and Quincy with a volley
of ancient eggs and clods. This was the
only incident to mar the parade, which
was Witnessed by thousands of people.
Hart Niles and Ed Witchy created
favorable comments in the parade pilot
ing bicycle "built for two," bearing
the Topeka cycle sign twelve feet long
by three wide.
Ted Fogers revolving Ferris wheel
was the delight and admiration of the
small boys. His was an ingenious de-
vice.
One of the happiest hits, perhaps. was
the pyramid overshadowed by balloon,
which j. s. Rhodes built over his para
gon wheel.
Many lanterns hung from the ram
pants and revolving wind mills added to
their effect. A large number of notices
reading: "Protection fosters and encour-
ages home production" and "Freed
Trade Encourages Home Industry add
ed to the startling drapery. These were
relics of Harrison's first campaign and
were purchased by Mr.. Rhodes at an I'M
! claimed Santa Fe freight sale