Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-28
About the Corn Carnival.

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history was held at Atchison Thurs
day and surpassed all previous rec
ords as much'as the corn crop this
year exceeds the average yield. Half
a dozen Abilene people were present
1t would have been better had 200
attended that there might be better
understanding Of the plans and meth
DDS Of carrying on such celebration.
Those who did 60 came home with
the heartiest praise for every feature
Of the event and have been busy all
day telling people what tiptop af-
fair it was from beginning to end. 1t
Is probable that never under the blue
Kansas sky was so much noise gath
cred together at one time as in Atch'
ison yesterday between 10 a. m. and
10 p. M. Horns were blowing, IS
bands, including Marshall's Of Tope.
ka, were playing, free open air per-
formances were given from stages
erected on the streets, two ball games,
a balloon ascension, throwing Of
shelled corn, a flower parade and d.
vers and sundry other things too nu-
merous to mention made the occasion
true carnival.
The ecorations OF the store fronts
were more artistic than Abilene peo-
pie expected to see. Handsome
grilles made Of ropes Of pop corn or
of kernels of field corn were common,
stalks Of corn made a frieze on tall
structures, while elaborate designs
were prepared for the show windows.
The railroads made notable street
displays. The Burlington had an
immense ear Of corn, over 80 feet
high, made Of lumber with AZ bushels
of ear corn nailed on making it look
remarkably perfect. 1t was an odd
and striking design. The Santa Fe
with its usual enterprise led every
thing. 1t had mammoth figure of
King Corn mounted rs feet high on
his throne with a handsome display
Of Kansas corn, including some from !
Dickinson, in booth in the base of
the pedestal 1t was most artistic
and effective and was admired by the
$4,000 people who thronged the
streets. W. H. Simpson Of Chicago
planned it and was in charge, assist
ed by +, s. Savage Of Topeka. Efforts
are being made to bring it to Abilene.
II secured it will be worth coming 80
miles to see.
Atchison offered no prizes to any
body. The flower parade which was
the principal event Of the afternoon
had no loads Of corn in it. 1t was a
beautiful parade, the carriages, the
floats and the noveltieswere applauded
by ALL The carriages had thousands
Of paper flowers each. The commit
tee furnished paper free, using over
$3.50 worth. A Roman chariot with
four black horses was particularly
beautiful feature. The tissue paper,
the expenses Of 13 bands, the vaude-
vile shows, advertising, erection Of
stands and frew orks made up Atchi-
sons expenses-about $l400. E. W.
Howe, editor of the Globe, who orig
mated the corn carnival and has been
the Big Committee of One who had
it in charge, sat in his office and lis
tened to compliments all day long
and he deserved them. Kansas never
had one better, bigger day anywhere.
u. c. Sterl, j. E. Brewer and j. r.
Hornaday brought home plans, pho
tographs and ideas galore about how
10 decorate and believe Abilene can
have just as good time as Atchison.
J. II. VanV 00rSt went out north today
IN 5O-mile drive to talk up school
district displays.
One thing is certain: Abilene must
hustle every day from now until Oct.
u If it expects to make good dec
'rative display. Get your corn husks
and stalks early and avoid the rush.
All railroads will give rate of one
'are for the round trip within 100
miles for the Carnival day.