The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-24
MARDI GRAS DOWN SOUTH.
How Little Rock, Memphis, Mobile
and Other Cities Oelebrated.

Little Rock, Ark, Feb. 24.-The Mardi
Gras celebration in Little Rock was a
great success. Fully $4,000 visitors
hailing from all sections of Arkansas
witnessed the morning and night pa
rades. The coronation ball at the Cap
itaI theater was the grandest social
function of the year, and was attended
by society people from all sections of
the country. Miss Alice Mitchell, daugh-
ter of Prof. James Mitchell, editor of
the Arkansas Democrat, was the queen,
and Hon. J. w. BIackwood the king.
The parade was composed as follows:
Mounted police, band, Quapaw Tribe
Red Men; float, Palatial Throne of King
PetraculaS mounted cavaliers and no
blemen of the court of the king; kings
cabinet officers in carriages; troop of
cavalry of kings guard; band; float,
Star Spangled Banner; float, Ship of
State; float, Fancy Dress Ball; troop of
brownies; float, Living CuriOSities;
float, Washington Crossing the Della
ware; float, Germania; float, Plantation
Home; band; flambeau troop of we'll
drilled yellow kids; float, Junior Glass
Little Rock Turnverein; float, Hades;
kings loyal subjects.
NEW ORLEANS CARNIVAL.
New Orleans, La, Feb. 24.-Bright
and beautiful weather marked the cell
ebration of Mardi Gras here. Except
that the air was chilly, it was typical
carnival weather There were the usual
scenes on the streets and the custom
airy large number of prOmiscuOus mask
ers. The Rex parade was the feature
of the day The subject chosen was
Harvest Time" which was brilliantly
illustrated in series of twenty moving
cars. The king of the carnival is Mr..
Charles A. Farwell, prominently iden-
titled with the sugar interests of the
state. At his ball, which is a popular
affair, Rex crowned his queen. The
Comus parade and ball brought the
carnival festivities to close
At night the Mystic Krewe of Comus
appeared on the streets with one of the
most gorgeous and at the same time
interesting pageants that has ever APP
peared in New Orleans. The theme was
Shakespeare" and all the familiar char
faithfulness and splendor unsurpassed
After the parade the Mystic Krewe en-
tertained with a grand ball at the
French opera house.
Rex also entertained his loyal sub
jects with a ball at the Imperial palace,
which was gorgeOusly decorated. The
throne was erected at one end of the
spacious ball room and decorated in
the royal cOlors, garnet and ermine
The king, Charles A. Farwell, a we'll
known sugar planter, chose as his
queen Miss Noel Forsythe, a beautiful
young woman, who graced her high pO-
sition as though she had been born to
the purple Both balls were thronged
and were immense social successes.
CELEBRATION AT MEMPHIS.
Memphis, Tenn, Feb. 24.-The Mardi
Gras festivities were concluded with a
night parade consisting of thirteen
floats, representing the h storicaI events
of American history. The entire day
and night was given over to the merry
makers, the streets being packed with
citizens and visitors Two grand
masked balls were given, both being
largely attended. The celebration
passed off without a single disturbing
feature.
GALA DAY AT MOBILE.
Mobile, Ala, Feb. 24.-Mardi Gras was
celebrated by five mystic Darades and
public concerts. The day parades were
those of Emperor Felix on his rollins.
throne, preceded by his imperial band.
the Mardi Gras Pilgrims, who carica-
tured the police; the comic COWBOYS.
who showed the folly of last summers
panic, and the Knights of Revelrv,
who turned out six floats illustrating
facts and fancies.
At night there was the closing dis
play OF the carnival, the Order of MYTHS
parading with nine floats entitled
Love, showing all varieties of the
amatory passion. The attendance was
the largest ever seen at a carnival here.