Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-05-29
Correspondence.
President Mckinley at Los Angeles.
SANTA MONICA. Nav Ii. 1901.

The Fiesta is over and President Nc
Kinley's visit to Los Angeles has passed
into history. Many cities do honor to this
noble man, but no city in the country
could begin to compete with Los Angeles
in its display of flowers. Not only thou
sands of people, weary with standing and
crushed in the terrible crowd, but the
president himself, was amazed at the won
derful floral parade.
1t is impossible in a short article to fur
nish any definite description. Perhaps
the most elaborate display was on Broad
way. Here the city hall, from which the
president reviewed the parade, was deco
rated with national and Fiesta colors--the
latter being gold, olive and wine, the three
great productions of the state.
From window In the building next the
grand stand, l had the pleasure OF watch
ing this wonderful parade-more wonder
full to me on account Of the enormous
amount of rare and exquisite flowers
roses, that In the East would be worth
their worth in gold.
The sidewalks roped in mass of
humanity such as never before gathered
in Los Angeles. The carriage which
brought the President to the stand was
completely covered with howers-white
carnations, 10000 in number, counted to
make it more impressive. The harnesses
OF the four white horses were wound in
yellow satin, with bouquets Of yellow and
white flowers. The robe was yellow satin.
Mrs. Mckinley was in this carriage,
smiling and bowling, but looking pale and
wearied. Later in the parade she was
taken to the hotel for rest.
AS the President alighted and took his
place upon the stand, it seemed as il that
ocean Of people would never cease cheer
ing. In his modest, natural manner, the
President was seemingly unconscious of
being the central attraction.
The parade included everything but bust
ness advertisenents-any like work
was left out. All clubs in the city were
represented, all schools with their teachers,
thousands OF children gaily dressed
in Fiesta colors, and carrying flowers
and flags, all eager to catch sight OF the
President. One cart was drawn by lot of
little boys in which was seated the presi-
dent of the Mckinley club, digniied
boy eight or ten years of age. He raised
his hat as they passed the reviewing stand,
while the boys, as horses, looked neither
to the right nor left. The President bowed
and smiled at their good behavior.
Again and again the President applauded
by clapping his hands, but his sweetest
smiles were bestowed upon the children
as they passed in their flower-covered
vehicles.
As the clang OF the gongs ushered in the
Chinese, the President went to the front of
the stand. They had spent much time and
money to make their part of the display
elaborate, and no one was disappointed.
The President remarked that he shad
never seen anything like 1t before; it was
worth coming all the way from Washing
ton to see". 1t seemed not only wonderful
but barbarous-a truly Oriental demon
stration. All sorts of instruments were
jumbling strains of Chinese music. There
were gorgeous costumes of silk imported
from China especially for this occasion
A thousand Cinnamon were in the march
The most novel sight was the huge
dragon, of the most exquisite workman
ship, made of ten thousand pieces oil
beautiful colored silks, peacock's feathers
silver and gold, and everything glittering
Every link was in use for the first time,
the whole measuring 800 feet. 1t takes
forty men to carry the dragon, and as they
run from one side OF the street to the other
this immense serpent is made to appear as
IL crawling, wriggling and twisting its
slow length along 1t was frightful
sight as the great thing moved before the
presidential party and opened its wide
mouth as IL to swallow the whole crowd
This sacred animal cost several thousand
dollars. 1t had never before been on
exhibition in this country.
The float prepared by the Chinese mis-
sion contained forty Chinese children
born. Their banners of flowers bore the
inscription: "God bless our President"
Probably many gorgeously dressed man
darins wondered why Mr.. President APP
peared in plain citizens dress.
Many windows were very tastefully dec
GRATED. The whole affair was considered
one of the best parades ever given in Cali
fornia.
Later the President and friends visited
the Pacific soldiers home near SAINTS
Monica. Here he addressed the old sol
diers. One of the veterans gave him 6
handsome greasewood cane.
Mrs. Mckinley received from the clut
ladies some fine Indian baskets also al
elegant Navajo blanket for their home il
Canton. The Chinese presented to Mrs
Mckinley large, red, black and golt
lacquered box, containing an exquisitely
embroidered crimson satin bedspread ant
shams to match. Many beautiful bouquets
were given them. They must always re-
member that the Los Angeles reception
was indeed Fiesta de Flores.
E. A. S.
Maine Friends In the West.
To L.