Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-10-11
SESQUI-CBNTENNIAL CELEBRATION


been made, and the only contingency
which gives any apprehension is the
weather, as no one can say what me-
neurological conditions may prevail on
the morrow. All, however, hope for the
best, and many have sort of intuition
that the heavens will smile on old
Alexandria on the occasion so joyful
| ly anticp ated. Decorators have been
kept bu. all day bedecking buildings
throughout the city. Considerable skill
aud taste have been shown in the deco
rations, in some cases the front OF
buildings being almost covered with
flags, streamers, lanterns, &C., while
the windows of stores have Deen COM
pletely metamorphosed with national
colors, producing very pleasing Of
feet. The streets have been alive with
people and the number of visitors to
Inc city has been pheDomenally large.
Wagons bedecked with flags have been
running to aud fro and the spokes 10
the wheels of bicycles have been en-
twiDed with national emblems. There
has been an abnormal activity on the
river froni, numbers of craft floating
fl .gs from their masts and many foot
ooats having the same flying. Steam
launches from the gunboats Marietta
and Mechias and the dispatch
boat Dolphin have been run
nirg to and fro carrying visit.
ors 70 those vessels, and hundreds have
collected on the piers to view them es
they lay at anchor of the city. Nearly
every body wore badge or button, and
the windows of many stores con
tain pictures of Washington, souvenir
spoons, dishes, &c.
The spectacle on King street last
night was dazzling. There was con-
tinuous line of bunting nearly its en-
tire length, while the fronts of some OF
the more prominent buildings on thai
street and parts of Royal, Pitt, ST.
Asspb, Washington and other streets
were ablaze with light, bulbs of cleo
iricity being stretched from the roofs to
the first stories of some buildings. The
tbrong of people was immense, and
from Fairfax westward Professionalism
was slow process, as it was necessary
for one to literally force his way through
the densely packed masses of humanity
which gathered on some squares. The
contractors having in charge the cree.
ton of the Court of Honor on Wash
ington and Prince streets will complete
their work in time for the illumination
tomorrow night. Wires have been
strung and incandescent bulbs were
affixed today. The work of decorating
the various stands will be completed by
tonight, as will also that of decorating
the various halls for the reception and
entertainment of guests.
The veterans of the old Washington
fire department will have in line the
aose carriage of the old Sun company,
of this city.
The members of the Chemical Fire
Eugine Company, of Washington, will
be entertained by Chief Pettey, of the
| Alexandria Fire Department.
Rain is predicted for tomorrow, bnt
it is hoped that the weather will clear
before the hour for the parade.
Among the prettiest electrical dis.
plays last night were those on the Opera
| House building, the Fleischmann Hotel
and GibsoD's drug store and B. B.
smiths cigar store.
The ladies of the entertainment com.
mittee request that all refreshments to
be contributed should be sent to Armory
Hall by o'clock tomorrow morning.
Among the unique decorations is q
painting in front OF the Columbia en-.
| CINE house representing George Wash.
iugton arriving at the scene of fire
with the old Friendship engine.
The members OF DR.. Smiths, the
chief marshal's, staff are requested TO
meet at headquarters at s o'clock to-
night.
The city and county schools have
oeen given holiday in order that the
teachers and scholars may witness the
parade.
The members of the Trinity Metho.
dist Church have kindly placed at the
committees disposal the lower portion
of their church for the public comfort
of their lady visitors.
The committee named in yesterdays
Gazette went to Washington to see the
| com maEder OF the Machias, and make
arrangements for the vessel to drop
down to Alexandria and anchor off this
city about two o'clock today. The
| searchlight OF this vessel will, at seven
o'clock tonight, be turned on the
| city, when the citizens will have an op-
portunity of seeing the effect of a
searchlight illumination, Lieut.. Com
mander W. b N. Switzerland, of the
Dolphin, has promised to illuminate his
ship tonight, and as the electrical IL
Limitations are among the finest in the
navy, the display will be most crafty.
ing to our people.
Mr.. Horace Swain has nearly finish.
ed the erection the grand stands at
Washington street and in front of the
market building. On the latter stand
the bands will give a grand concert.
The stands have been put up in most
substantial manner.
The visiting delegations will be en-.
tertained at the following places: Sol.
diers and sailors, Armory Hall; officers
of army and navy and other distin
guished guests at Lyceum Hall; Junior
Order of American Mechanics, at Old
Fellows Hall; Uniform Rank, Knights
OF Pythias, at Sarepta Hall; Colum bia
Lodge of Mechanics anu Pattern
Makers Association at Schuler's Hall;
members of the press, at Bachelor Clul /;
former Alexandrians at Sodality Ly-
ceum Hall.
Tickets for the grand stands will be