Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-06-05
4 RECEPTION AT THE dpHa AND HtdRt ILLUMINATION CLOSE THE DAY

Even the elements seemed to favor
the Territory. and Santa Fe in par
tEcular, on the occasion OF the dedlca-
tIon Of the magnificent new capitol
building. A more perfect day could
hardly be imagined than that which
dawned yesterday on the sleepy denl-
xens OF the ancient as they woke 10 a
semblance of activity, inspired. no
doubt, by the presence of an unusual
assemblage OF outsiders.
Sundays afternoon train brought
In over 100 visitors from points over
the Territory, mostly from Socorro.
las Cruces and points below AIbnquer-
que. At 10:s0 the speciE from Las
Vegas rolled In with 16s passengers,
including forty-hye Otero guards, about
forty Elks and the military band with
twenty-one members. The visitors
were met at the depot by an escort
made up of the First cavalry band,
the Santa Fe company of Infantry and
a large delegation OF resident Elks.
Forming in line the guests were
marched to their respective headquar-
tiers, where every arrangement had
been made for their comfort. AT IL
O'Clock three coaches came in on regu-
lar No. %, from Albuquerque and
southern points. On this train were
the representatives of the Albuquer
que militia, thirty-one members. They
also were met and escorted to quar-
ters by a guard OF band and militia
The entire business portion OF the
city was handsomely adorned with
flags, bunting and evergreens, while
many individual places were brilliant
with an abundance Of flowers.
The forenoon was spent by the visit
ors in sightseeing. enjoying the de
lights to be found in such well-kepi
parks as that which Santa Fe boasts
and by the visiting Elks in trying tc
keep pace with the open handed hos
,bffality of Santa Fe lodge No. $50. Az
the military band boys express 1t they
>.simply captured the town on thell
arrival and were sole owners and pro
Yprietors," and had they played as con
stfnuously as desired by their friends
would have worn themselves out II
short order.
In the meantime, the officers OF th'
national guard and the marshal Of thu
day were busiIy engaged in planninI
ali the small details for the afternoonl
parade, appointing guards for the cap
itoI grounds. making out band assign
nents, etc. Lieutenant Colonel R. c
Rankin, of Las Vegas. fully demon
strated his executive ability and wa
placed in command OF the second d
xision Of the parade.
The Santa Fe commercial club KEEP
open house all day and dispensed re
ereshments to all callers. and mad
them feel at home. This club, Will
but new organization, has goo
membership. and have neatly furnish
ID quarters N the Ortiz block on Sai
Erancisco street. Reading rooms. car
and poll rooms. proved pleasant place
s. while time to many visitors.
About the first thing that greete
che eye Of the stranger Oh enterin
1hn business part Of the town was tn
large royal purple sfreamer Of the sar
81 Fe Elks lodge. strung across sa
Fzahcisco street In front Of their qua
ears. A large banner over the en-
ezance announced that visiting brotl
would be welcome. and the tri
ap stairs as made By the many straI
gers proved the assertion beyon
aoubt. A most palatable lunch va
&eDt temptinely arrayed On long Il
Ala IN the hall. and II there we're IN
sdhgry or thirsty Elks In that burg.
szas purely their own fault Eae'