The Topeka state journal., 1896-08-10
AT COLORADO SPRINGS.
Description of Her Floral Fes-
tiVal Parade.
Said to Have Been a Pretty
Sight.
But if This is a Correct Description
Topeka is Going to Far outshine
the Colorado Town

The entire first page of the Colorado
Springs Gazette is devoted to an ac-
count of the floral parade in that city
on Thursday last, which will be of in
terest here as bearing on the one pro-
posed for Topeka. The account states:
Shortly after o'clock the great pro-
cession began to form on Cascade ave
nue. and a little after 2 o'clock began TO
move slowly through the shady ave
nues of the city and passed the grand
stand on Cheyenne avenue Long be
fore the procession started the line of
march was crowded with people, and
in the grand stand were gathered all
the elite of the city and many d1stln-
guished visitors.
The Pixies Peak Roadsters headed
the procession and the 40 men in line
presented an impressive spectacle
Their wheels were decorated in the club
cOlOrs, red, yellow and white, and from
the handIebars of the wheels Sunf1OW-
ers were dangling in great profusion.
They all appeared in full uniform or
white duck suits and caps with black
Ieggings. A beautiful floral design dis
playing the clubs monogram was car
ried at the head of the column by
AGessrs. StrattOn and Carruthers, who
rode a tandem.
The Twinkle Doodle Dunn club rode
bicycles four abreast and made an un-
ique and striking spectacle. The beau
tiful emblem of the state, the cOlum-
bine, was profusely used in the decOra-
interviewer by satin ribbons of a still
deeper hue, while the handle bars and
every available space was trimmed with
cOlumbine, in white and heliOtrOpe.T The
ladies were gOwned in white with law
ender effect and the gentlemen were
dressed in white duck
A floral chariot in green and white,
decorated with oak leaves and wild
pOppies, was drawn by four bicyclists.
A RAINBOW OF GIRLS.
A rainbow garden of girls, headed by
MISS Jean Anderson, was one OF the
most attractive arrangements gotten
up by the bicyclists The young ladies
were all expert cyclists and well dis
played their ability in riding by hold
ing q huge rainbow of seven prismatic
colOrs in dainty paper pOppies. Each
of the ladies were gowned in one of the
cOlOrS of the rainbow and her wheel
feStOOned with blossoms and ribbons
of the same color. The ends of the
bow were held by two young ladies,
and three rode beneath the arch.
The bicyclists were followed by the
Colorado Springs police force, headed
by Marshal D. G. Dana. Each officer
had on a fatigue uniform and carried
huge umbrella representative of the
SunfiOWer.
The horses were blanketed in black,
with orange stars at the corners of the
blankets The whole display reflected
great credit upon the marshal and his
officers.
The Colorado Springs fire department
turned out in full force. Each of the
wagons had upon its wheels extra
wheels made of various cOlOred bunt-
ing, and every piece of harness was
wrapped in red, white and blue ribbon.
over the seats were huge arches COW
cred with flowers. Above the arch was
ball made entirely of flowers, upon
which an eagle rested. Upon one of the
carts little Clyde Baty, son of the chief
was driving a miniature team with silk
reinS, and was dressed in a complete
dreman's uniform.
The ZebuIon Pike party was an in
tereSt1ng representation of the famous
explorer and his comrades, who crossed
the plains in 1906 and discovered the
majestic peak at whose base the carni-
val was held today. Col Pike was rep
resented by Attorney Charles F. Pot
ter, and a band of followers who car
ried muskets and eanteens and drove
pack horses and mules before them.
These were preceded by several scouts,
dressed in the style of that day.
The Fremont party of 40 men, headed
by 5. f. DuRee, were genuine represen-
tatives of the original pathfnders. A
pioneers wagon was occupied by old
residents, and on the wagon was writ
ten the legend, pixies Peak or Bust .
Before the wagon reached the grand
stand some wag wrote OF the canvas,
Busted, by thunder"
The Indian band from Teller institute
at Grand Junction, composed of "A
pieces headed the fourth division, which
was composed of floats.
DENVER'S S PRIZE FLOAT
The finest float in the whole parade
and the one to which the judges award
ed first prize, was the float constructed
by the Denver Association of the Fes-
t1Val of Mountain and Plain. The chief
decoration in this float was the state
flower columbine, which was used in
lavish prOfusiOn. The float was drawn
by six splendid horses. This float re-
ceived the largest applause all along
the line. The Knights of Pythfas ar
ranged one of the most unique floats of
the parade. The ground work was the
and red. In the center sat Rex in his
! royal robes, guarded by two men-at-
/ arms. Overhanging him were banners
/ and StreamerS of different designs. In
I the rear was the time-hOnOred goat and
| his keepers. The whole was heavily
! festOOned with garlands of clematis
and poppies, entwined with spears of
| The high school had a large and i'm
! posing float Immediately behind the In
/ dian band. The float was a large dray
/ covered with high school cOlOrS, brown
and white. Sides of brown and white
were built up about three feet above
| the floor of the float and cattailS were
/ bound to the sides in such a manner
/ that they appeared to be growing. Over
/ a score of high school boys and girls
| seated in the float were waving ban
ners, singing songs and carrying ire
| umphantly the state championship
/ banner which they won in the high
/ school field day last June.
! Six richly caparisoned Shetland pom
4 les, at whose head walked six colored
| boys, dressed in the costume of African
| retainers, drew the unique float de-
| signed by the order of EIlzs A fine
! specimen of an elk was placed UDon the
/ float upon bed of purple and white
/ flowers, the colors of the order The
! sides Of the floats bore the motto of the
| order, Friendship, Justice, Fidelity
/ and Charity worked in delicate and
! purple flowers
Six prancing horses, gaily decked in
/ crimson harness and nodding pIumes
| of the same color, drew a. large seven
| seated vehicle, in which were seated
| thirty guests of the Barker house al