The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-01
1T CATCHES THE FEVER
bloomington, ILL.,, Has a Festi-
val and Carnival.
With ''Queen" and the Gus
tOmary Features.
1t Proved Great Success and Livened
Up the Old Town.

Bloomington. III, last Saturday dem
onstrated what can be accomplished in
six weeks of united, harmonious action
OF a little group of business men, for
II was only six weeks ago that the first
suggestion of the carnival idea was
made The carnival has been a grand
success, not only as a pleasure giving
spectacle but as a commercial enter
prise The city has seldom before en-
Jerta1ned such a vast assem- blage of
visitors and the effect upon the bust
ness interests of Bloomington has been
mighty satisfactory. Modelled on the
general lines of the Yelled Prophets
and the Mardi Gras, it proved to be no
feeble imitation of either, but a COM
binatiOn of Spectacles worthy of a
much greater city than Bloomington.
Inc day was cool and clear and Bloom
1ngton never looked more beautiful
The city was full of visitors bySO clock
They poured in on all railroads and
thronged every country road. The
decorations were largely composed of
green bOughS fresh from the woods.
The highest buildings in the city were
covered with living green from side
walk to roof. while many fantastic COM
binations of color relieved the scene.
The most elaborate adornment was a
triumphaI marble arch spanning the
main street. 1t was a half circle of
glowing white surmounted by a gigan-
tic eagle.
At 10 o'clock the pageant moved.
None but masked figures We're allowed
in the streets between the walks and
no unmasked ones were in the process
sion of the kings save the queen and
her four maids of honor. The process
sion moved to the music of a dozen
bands and the unearthly combination
of sounds evolved by a company of
chinese musicians. 1t was headed by
troop B, BlOOmingtOn's cavalry. There
were thirty floats, most of them con-
structed by the designer of the Yelled
Prophet. 1t was 1870 O'Clock when the
chariot of Rex reached the grand stand,
which was surrounded by 10000 people.
The keys were rendered to Rex, being
handed to the king by a page in Won
derful costume of the days of old.
The chariot of the king was drawn
by four richly caparisoned steeds led
by liVeried fOOtmen. The king, whose
personality was unknown, was attired
in ermine and royal purple. The float
of the queen was an artistic conception.
She sat enthroned upon a gigantic
globe. Four maids of honor occupied
the positions at the corners of the float.
The queen was Miss Nellie L. Ryan,
one of the prettiest of the many pretty
girls of Bloomington.
Among the most admired of the
floats were the Viking ship, Washing
pirate, Columbia, Rex's airShip, fairy
land, negro heaven, the fountain of
youth, Germany, the MaypOle, Wash
ington and the victors wreath
The musical organizations were at
tired in all manner of amusing cos
tunes. During the Afternoon there were
athletic tournaments and a concert of
military bands. There were races and
a balloon ascension at the fair grounds
and a base ball game.
Grand as was the pageant of the
morning it was surpassed by that of
the evening. The spectacle with add
ed attractions, including bands of IN
dams and a troop of Arabs. moved
through the streets in the blaze of cleo
tricity and amid displays of fireworks.
The crowd in the city was greater than
that of the morning.