San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-11-01

All the pillars were draped with
flowers and the massive pillars
near the stage we're draped with
golden silk, ornamented with flow
ers. All around were the Mexican
bannerets and floral shields with
the monogram M. r. r. The aud
itorium Of the theatre was thus
literally converted into a
bower of flowers and its pictorial
beauty was transcendent.
The stage was thrown open to
it's utmost capacity and was Dor.
dered by special scene Of white
and gold. All around were pillars
supporting candelabras. At the
far end of the stage was the official
desk OF the president. and the
golden chair OF state, brought spe-
cially from the national palace for
this occasion, and these were ele-
waited on crimson covered plat
form. The president sat in the
chair of state, supported on one
side by the speaker OF congress,
Leandro M. Alcolea, and on the
other side by Mayor Camacho,
chairman of the celebration COM
mittee. Seats were arranged on
both sides OF the stage for digna-
taries OF the republic, which were
we'll filled.
To the right of the stage was a
pretty grouping. 1t consisted
of a marble bust Of the dead Ro-
nero Rubio with elaborate decora-
tions, including two life sized fe-
male mourners in marble and
prominently displayed was the
simple word "Patrie." On the
other side was the ornate speakers
box, where the orators spoke and
the poets recited. Seen from the
auditorium the stage was most
elegant and picturesque.
When the president entered the
band played "Ls Golondrina," the
Mexican national hymn. Then
Senior Jose NJ. Gamboa gave a
eulogy on the deceased. This was
followed by Senior Pimentel's Gan
ina Afllcta," a beautiful, weird,
grand dirge, composed expressly
for the occasion and which the
composer personally conducted.
Thousands Of copies Of this music
were distributed among the au-
dience as souvenirs. Congressman
Guillermo Prito followed with a
laudatory poem. Then came
Gounod's "Meditation," with a pre-
Jude by J. Sebastian Back. This
was rendered by picked choir Of
forty voices and orchestra. Then
came the Grafton of Joaquin ID.
Casasus, which was followed by
Pimentel's "Mair de Lune." The
ceremony concluded with the reci-
tation by Senior Jesus E. Valenzue-
la OF his poem upon the dead hero.
The band and chorus were from
the conservatory OF music, one Of
the best in the country and it is no
figure of speech to say that all the
numbers were rendered in the
highest style OF art. At the con-
clusion of Sonar Valenzuela's poem
the band played ola Golondrina,"
again the president retired and
the crowd dispersed.
The expense of this celebration
must have been something great
but what 1t is none can know for
it was all betrayed by friends OF
the dead and Of the president. 1t
was however, great in every way
and while 1t did due honor to the
memory of Romero Rubio 1t was
most creditable to those who
organized and carried out the cele-
bration in such q successful way.
OF this celebration 1 can honestly
say that 1 have seen many memo
rial services and yet have never
seen one 30 grand and 80 pleasant
as this. In what have written l
feel that although l have said
much, 1 have failed to convey a
full idea OF the grandeur Of this
celebration. When 1t comes down
to celebrations Mexico not only
takes the cake but the entire bake
ry.
Among our citizens is H. Retsch
Familiarity known as "the docto r.
He was for some time with Jones
& Verden, who had drug store in
the Winslow block in San Antonio.
Mr.. G. Klein, the artist, is also
here, and is accompanied by G. ].
NJ. Poppe. Burgdorf, too, is here.
All these are well known in San
Antonio's Photographic circles.
There is here a Mexican National
Athletic club that corresponds
much with yours in San An
tonic. 1t has fallen lately, but
now the management has passed
to two Anglo-Americans, Hughes
& Calvert, who have the grit and