The evening times., 1899-07-31
GYPsIEs CROWN A NEW QUEEN
Laurel Harrison Invested In Camp
With Regal HonOrs.

New York, July 31.-"La refine est
morte; vive la reine,'' But as a matter of
fact Snake Mary" is not yet dead, not
withstanding that all the gypsies of the
Harrison tribe. more than 1000 in num-
Der, are shouting long life to her success
or-elect.
Laurel Harrison is the new queens
name. She is the granddaughter of old
Snake Mary" who is now in her ninety
fifth year and stricken with an illness
which she and all her loyal subjects be-
lieve will soon end her life. For weeks
Snake Mary" and branch of the tribe
Of Harrisons have been roaming through
northern New Jersey. A short time ago
they pitched their tents and moved their
horses and wagons into little grove close
by the road that leads from Netherwood
to Fanwood- There the old queen became
seriously i'll. Doctors from Plainfield were
summoned. They shook their heads
Then arose great question OF who was
to succeed her. Snake Mary is the sew
enth daughter of seventh daughter Her
granddaughter is also a seventh daughter
and wise beyond her eighteen years She
has long been the favorite of her loyal
grandmother.
But gypsy law makes the votes of the
tribe necessary to confirmation of royal
rank So letters and telegraph messages
were sent far and near to the wandering
tribes of Harrison, and their choice for the
dying queens successor was asked.
Responses have been coming for two
weeks, and on Saturday night IL was an
nounced that Laurel was chosen queen by
almost unanimous vote. II was rumored
far and wide that the coronation ceremonies
would take place yesterday.
And they did take place. 1t was not the
brilliant ceremony that was anticipated.
however. The branches of the tribe were
so scattered they could net be brought to-,
gether.
1T was this way" said Jimmy Harrison.
brother of the queen-elect, yesterday. If
We could have got our people together and
had il in a fair ground where We could hayz
charged to see 1t We were going 10 have
four or five brass bands and make big
time. OF course we wanted TO make money
out of it. But we could not get the people
to come when there would not be enough
in 1t to pay their expenses. So we made il
quiet and all by ourselves
According to Jimmy the coronation took
place at $50 a. m. yesterday. A brand-neW
tent bought in PlainfPld. served as the
throne room. Laurel, dressed in a flaming
red shirt waist and skirt of kaleidoscope
colors, squatted on the ground, while the
old queen placed on her head a brilliant
crown Of red paper flowers. The members
of the tribe gathered about and greeted
the young monarch with profound respect,
which she accepted with grave dignity. Then
the old queen was helpsd away to her bed
in anosher tent and board bearing this
inscription. written in chalk, was placed
by the entrance to the new throne room:
"GaDSi Ouin- Fortuna Tel Cents
Sep in. Recepshun Only 10 Cents"
BY 10 a. m. the roads leading from ali
directions were swarmng with carriages,
bicycles. and people on foot All made for
the gypsy camp. During the day fully
5000 persons must have called to see the
new queen. Ten cents a look, however,
was something of damper. Yet Queen
Laurel, on the whole, did a smashing bust
ness in gate money and fortune telling.
So did George Thatcher. the oldtime min
strel. who has road house on one side OF
the CamD.