Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-03

large numbers, and thoroughly enjoyed
himself. particularly so when an Italian
fruit vendor, in attempting to pass under
the rope along the avenue, had the mis-
fortune to have his entire stock swept off
his cart into the street. 1t is needless to
say that the son of Italy suffered severely
at the hands of the youngsters before he
could right his cart and gather up what
he could of his stock of fruit and peanuts.
The Letter Carriers.
The students of the Columbian and
Georgetown Universities were in great good
humor. and with their class cries and yells
and their pranks created considerable
amusement. Their transparencies were
amusing in many instances. The letter
carriers attracted much attention at the
starting point. as well as along the line
of march. a great Illuminated float show
ing a letter addressed: Admiral George
Dewey, Manila, Philippines" The first adj
dress was crossed out, with this direction:
Forward to Washington The men en-
ployed at the Washington navy yard also
appeared well, the rapid gun mount
ed a float. well the legend, I'VE
made the guns for Dewey being the sig
nal for enthusiastic cheers even before the
word to march given. AS the process
sion was passing Az street the ropes We're
lowered 10 permit fire engine company No
4 to respond to an alarm of fire There
was little or no confusion, however, and
III. L
moment the word to march was given the
fireworks were set off there being a ter
rife and seemingly never-ending explosion
of firecrackers at the Peace monument,
which sounded all the world like the rattle
of musketry, as the veterans in the G. A
r. ranks remarked.
New Post Office a Blaze of Light
With the exception of the reviewing stand
in front of the Treasury Department, the
greatest enthusiasm along the line of
march was in front of the new post office
building. The mammoth structure was a
blaze of light. every room in the building
being Illuminated. This augmented by
the dazzling electric centerpiece bearing
President McKineys famous message to
Admiral Dewey: Capture or destroy Mon
tojo's fleet" and Admiral Deweys no less
famous order TO Captain Gridley, "You
may fire, Gridey. when you are ready
In the center of this great piece was a cir
Gle of tri-colored lights bearing within its
borders. May 1, 1888 the date of the
famous battle of Manila bay. Admiral
Dewey attracted by the briliancy of
the design and turned and read it as his
carriage wheeled away, doffing his chapeau
as he passed.
Through the courtesy of First Assistant
Postmaster General Heath the clerks were
permitted to occupy the rooms of the post
office building, and all had a fine oppOr-
tunity to witness the parade. Postmaster
Merritt opened his Office to his friends, and
many LOOK advantage Oh MS KIM invita-
ton.
At the corner of 18th street and Penn
sylvania avenue the scene perhaps the
brightest. From the topmost grder of the
new Star building, now in course of cree
ton, President McKinley's desire to burn
plenty of red fire. was carried out. An
extra big red blaze shot skyward just as
the admiral went by, and from that time
until the close of the parade the vicinity
was slOriously red. Thousands of people
congregated here and the big plaza in front
of the post office was packed. 1t was very
orderly crowd, yet none the less enthusiasts
tic. When the poStmen passed in review
they were cheered to the echo. and they
acknowledged the greeting by piping away
on their whistles. The beautifully illumi-
mated mail car, the suggestion of Acting
First Assistant Postmaster General Allen,
was the distinctive feature of the parade
and when it stopped before the post office
building it was enthusiastically applauded.
Dewey's Portrait Decorated
An attractive feature of the elaborate
decorations of the State, War and Navy
Departments building was massive shield.
about twelve feet high. containing large
crayon portrait Of Admiral Dewey, appro-
priately decorated with American flags. The