The age-herald., 1898-09-11
The Flower Carnival
 At Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Col. September b. Special orrespondence.)- )-We have seen for many years splendid pictures in the magazines of the "Flower Carnivals'' that are held in different cities in the west. But these pictures give a very poor idea of the beauty and picturesqueness of the real scene. The event is observed in the same manner as Mardi Gras is in the south. It is a time of fun and frolic. Stores are closed and business is entirely suspended for one day, while the crowds gather from the surrounding vicinity to witness the parade. Colorado Springs is an ideal place for a "Flower Carnival" The city is admirably situated, with the moun- tains and famous old "Pike's Peak in the back ground. The unusually broad ave- nues, straight and level, lined as they are down the sides and middle with huge, over tapping trees; the buildings and luxu1i1Cs homes which lend themselves easily to decorative effects, all contribute to the per feet effect in the novel show of a "Flower Carnival
 It was indeed a pretty sight that was presented to the thousands that thronged in the grand stands and from every point of vantage when the parade appeared in sight up Cascade avenue The carnival col ors everywhere disputed supremacy with the red, white and blue of the nation we love and delight to honor. The wealth of flowers, the joyous faces and merry voices emphasized by such skies, sunshine and air as can only be found in this mountain locality lent a brilliant aspect to the ka- leidoscopic panorama which is difficult in deed to describe The 'Flower Carnival" as a parade, does not admit of much va riety or play of imagination in its present. ment; but in the details there is never ending charm of variety even to those who see 1t year after year. Of course in Mani tou and Colorado Springs each year there is an innumerable throng to whom the ex- quisite beauty of the "Flower Carnival is a novelty as rare as it is charming and to them who see it possibly once in a life time, the scene ever remains one of the most exquisite memories treasured of the far west. There were the one-horse two- wheels; one-horse, four wheels and tan dems, then followed the two-horse traps of various kinds. Then spike teams and four in-hands. Artificial flowers are used al- most exclusively in their decoration
 though one of the prettiest was formed of the lovely frampas grass which grows to such perfection in Colorado. The vehicles and horses are all designed and decorated by individuals; and, too, by the wealthy society people of the springs. But when one is an utter stranger names" count for very little, and the Honorable this or that means nothing, while the dainty grace, elegant bearing of this lady who.
 
 beside her proclaim natures nobility while Cripple Cree's" millionaire fails to im- press. The most artistic and beautiful ef- fleets were gained by. those vehicles which carried out only one or two color effects The prettiest one, though it only received second prize, was in pure white; an ele- gant roomy carriage covered with beauti- ful white snow balls and woodbine. Two beautiful blacks were attached and a su- perb effect attained by the use of stream Of
 l held by Miss Murphy, of the "Antler's l. Hotel" who the day before won the prize an elegant trap-aS the most popular la- i dy of Colorado Springs. She was elegantly costumed in white and carried white para sol Another which was accorded an ova- tion all along the line, was a single trap, drawn by one horse; trap and harnesses l covered with red poppies. The back was covered with design containing both the American and Cuban flags, made of flow | CTS inlaid to give the coors of the flags. The effect was striking and exceedingly pretty. The occupants were gowned in red. l., Of course there are many attractions in the parade The Rock Island road had a train in miniature-"The Limited Ex- press" A float by Colorado College; one gotten up by the Presbyterian Sunday school, representing their mission work. and many others. The Rough Riders'' made a regular hit. About forty of the daring riders dashed past the grand stand at full galop and it took but a meagre imagination to picture the "Spaniards' ahead of them. Varied and original as the pageant was, which was exceedingly lengthy, 1t would not have been complete without a goodly representation of that primitive life of the west which is still the delight of the small boy-the Indians There was fine crowd out in al. fAeir most gorgeous paint and feathers. But even on so festive an occasion they still l-possess the power to make one's very mar