The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-26

zouaves; West Texas Military academy
cadets; San Antonio Turn verein pu-
pills; bicycle section; caValcade; dOnk-
ey brigade; carriage containing Mrs.
izabeth Ogden, president of Flower
battle association; carriages with Tex
as veterans; carriages with Mayor Cal
laghan and city officials; members of
various committees; decorated carri-
ages; decorated carts; decorated floats;
trades display floats; six companies of
the nre department with decorated en-
gines, trucks and carts; various We
hicles and miscellaneous displays. At
regular intervals in the procession were
competed in the band contest during
the day.
After making the tour of Alamo
plaza the procession passed along the
usual line of march through Commerce
street, Main and Military plazas and
Houston street. All these thorough
fares were densely lined with thous-
ands of people who did not care to join
the surging throngs on the central
scene of interest.
As it once more entered Alamo plaza
the procession was divided by the mar
shals into two sections, which were to
do battle with each other. The oppos-
ing forces moved around the plaza and
approached each other from opposite
directions. The crash of battle came
in front of the Menger hotel. VOlleyS
of roses and peals of merry laughter
announced that the advance guards of
the contending ranks had met and the
H.
The columns continued to move
past each other, and at every success
sive point of contact new fusillades
broke out, until there were two mu-
tually revolving circles of flying flow
erS and shimmering cOlOrs.
Lovely women, radiant with merri-
ment, became amazOnS for the nonce
They pelted each other and the men
stood onslaught with courage
and fOrtitude. When their
piles of roses lilies. violets and
their piles of roses, lilies, Violets and
chrysanthemums became exhausted
they plucked the wreaths and garlands
from their gaily decorated vehicles with
which to keep up the floral fray, or
made gallant sallieS on the arsenals OF
more economical contestants The
equestrian participants acted as scouts
and rangers. Handsomely costumed la
dies dashed about in the midst of the
conflict on fiery steeds with consum-
mate grace and skill.
The donkey brigade figured promi-
nently. The burro riders formed guer-
rilla bands, and, gathering the scatter
ed ammunition, did some very effective
but rather indiscriminate pelting.
When the riot of pleasure finally
ceased the sun had set, but the spirit
of the carnival had not gone out with
the waning light. The streets were still
gay with streaming banners and
thronged with merry makers. Silvery
laughter rang out on every side and
dainty feet tWinkled on the pavements.
There were brief visions of clingfag
drapery and flashing eyes and grace
and beauty. From the scattered flow
ers on the plaza of the Alamo a subtle
perfume arose which seemed to per
meate the city with a magical inffu-
ence. The spirit of romance, chivalry,
pleasure and folly prevailed. 1t was
like gala season in an Italian city of
the middle ages. Night had not de-
Scended on the WOrk-a-day city of mod
ern times, but on a Venice, a Mantua
or a Bologna.
For the prettiest decorated equipage.
Mr.. Sam G. Bennett was awarded the
blue ribbon; Misses Groos and Schenck
the red ribbon. For the best float the
Grecian band got first prize; the Home
Industry club second prize.
The days festivities came to a bril-
liant close with the grand patriotic and
charity ball, given at Beethoven hall by
/ the De Zavalla chapter of the Daugh-
tiers of the Republic. The ball was
given for the benefit of the widow of
/ Corporal Parkhurst, who was accident
ally killed last San Jacinto day while
firing a cannon in honor of the occa-
sion. The chosen queen of the occa-
sion was Miss Mamie Cresson, and Mr..