The herald., 1897-03-08
INTEREST IN LA FIESTA
Numerous Inquiries From All Parts of
the Country
Uncle Sans Sailors Will Probably ATTEND.
Indian Home Products This Time.
A Triumphal Entry

Those who have any doubt as 10 the
attendance Of tourists at the coming
Fiesta should visit the headquarters and
examine the large number of inquiries
that are being received daily from every
section of the United States. These
letters are from prominent people and
capitalists who desire to visit Southern
California, not merely to witness the
carnival, but with view Of ultimately
locating here. This fact is proven BY
the character of the inquiries, that gen.
orally include the value of lands. the
principal resources of this section, and
such general information as is sought
by those who have the money and in
clination to settle here.
In this respect the executive commit
tee is not only advertising the Fiesta, but
the inducements to future settlers in
Southern California Aside from the
program Of entertainment and Fiesta
poster, extensive literature relative to
Southern California is forwarded to each
inquirer.
The invitations and programs for the
fancy dress ball on April 20th are in the
hands of the engraver. From an ar
tistic standpoint they will be the most
elaborate and handsomest that have
ever been issued to any event. The
ball committee is determined to arrange
every deatil of the event with such care
and on so gorgeous scale that the open
ing feature of the Fiesta will linger in
the minds of those who attend. No
other similar affair ever given in Cali
fornia will equal the brilliant scene that
will be presented at the ball. A number
Of Leading society ladies will act as pat
ronesses.
The executive committee is confident
of securing the attendance of the sail
ors and marines of the men of war con-
stituting Admiral Beardslee's squadron.
1t is expected that the ships will have
returned from their cruise to Guatemala,
and in that case the gallant tars of IN
Gle Sam will merit the applause of the
multitude as they received last Fiesta
in the street parade.
The visitors will be initiated in the
customs and habits of the Indians in a
more thorough manner than heretofore.
Instead of bringing the Indians from
Arizona and New Mexico, as has been
done in previous years, the wild man
will be introduced from Southern Cali
fornia reservations. known as the mis-
sion Indians. They will have with them
as guards a number of cowboys, who
have lived among them and who speak
their language. In order that the pub
lie may obtain more adequate idea of
plains, the Indians will be placed in a
corral, where they will kill steer and
cook their meals in their accustomed
utensils. They will not ride on the cars
while being conveyed from their homes
to this city, but will make the entire trip
on their ponies and will make their tri
umphant entry into this city in their
original style.
On Tuesday evening. April Goth. they
will perform the fire dance. the dance
of the dead, the ghost dance and the
war dance. The former will show the
red man in all his barbarlc customs and
traditions. They will extinguish live
fire with their naked bodies and dance
upon live Goals in their bare feat.
In the dance of the dead they portray
the devil, the holy spirit and twenty
four imps. These dances are performed
by them only once in five years.
The Indians will also take part In the
street parade and in the athletic sports,
when they will show their native game,
known as "piun."
The committee of thirty will meet next
Wednesday evening at 1880 o'clock to dis
cuss very important matters.