The Opelousas courier., 1901-03-23
The Parade.
A GORGEOUS DISPLAY AND A GALA
DAY.

DA1s
The people OF Opelousas may
we'll feel proud of the success of
the parade last Tuesday, St. JOS
eph's Day-a success far beyond
the most sanguine anticipations,
and the more astonishing because
it was all done in about three
weeks preparation. It is the uni
versal opinion, freely expressed,
by all who witnessed the pageant,
that it was the grandest display
ever witnessed or attempted out
side of the large cities. We wish
to say here that we do not expect
this account will convey anything
like an adequate idea of the mag
nifcence of this first attempt of
our people to "pull together" on
matter of local interest.
Most of the business places and
many private residences were
handsomely decorated with flags,
banners, and wreaths, presenting
pretty sight and showing the
universal interest taken in the
festivities of the occasion.
We can only attempt brief
synopsis IN this article, which
would require much more space
than we have to do justice to.
At 11:30 a. m. the line of
march was formed as follows:
Messrs Ed. Waillor and Leonce
Jacobs, in a buggy decorated in
the carnival colors of red, purple
and gold, led the procession.
Next came Messrs. A. B. Pick
ett, FL. D. Larcade, Lester Burr,
j. l.. Comeau and DR.. +. j. Pull
ford, grand marshals; the other
grand marshals, DR.. Al. Bercier,
Messrs. Morgan Sandoz, Ryan
Thompson, Adolph Jacobs and
Ed. Dejean, following at intervals
along the line Of parade
J. G.. Lawler, livery stable-A
beautifully decorated float with
Prof. Mayors Silver Cornet Band
favored the crowd with sweet
music.
Hope Hook & Ladder Coin
full uniform, pulling hose cart,
which was handsomely decorated,
and followed by truck, also deco
rated, on which was Miss Isola
Fontenot, the beautiful sponsor
of the company. Although the
Hook G Ladder boys walked, 4,
they were in good spirits and made
an excellent appearance. The
hearty cheers they gave the CoU-
RIER Office as they passed by were
highly appreciated.
St. Landry State Bank-Deco-
rated carriage, in which was four
little girls, costumed in white and
gold, bearing banner containing
name of that successful institution
Opelousas Mercantile Co.. Ltd.
l-"Highland" buggy, with Shet-
land pony attached, containing
two little girls prettiIy costumed.
"Opelousas Future = Repre-
sented by float constructed from
modern road machine, on which
rode number of artistiely cos
tuned girls. This float was got
ten up by Mr.. Jas. o. Chachere,
who has always been a strong ad-
vocate and untiring worker for
good roads, and means that in
the larger progress in store for
| Opelousas and surrounding sec
| ton in the future, one of the
principal factors in development
lies in the construction of good
roads.
Lassalle & Desmarais-SaIoon
on wheels. Very clever. the funny
cartoons proving very amusing;
advertising Lemp's beer.
A. G.. Skiles, lumber yard, and
Ventre & Evans. contractors-A A
complete miniature house and yard
on wheels. The care with which
every detail was arranged made
this one Of the most ingenious
and appropriate floats in the pro-
cessson,
Mason Mcbride, Drugstore
Represented "Fairyland, = and
the beauty of this float brought
forth exelamations of delight all
along. Mason was one Of the
committee who worked up the
procession, and what that COM
mittee did was . plenty; even sat
up at night making sashes for
1.-THE nlarshals. =
D. Roos & Son-Garden scene
from Faust, with Faust, Margue-
trite, Mephistophifes and Martha
| in correct costume. This float
won universal admiration, being
lavishly and artisticly decorated.
Opelousas Ice and Rottling
Works-Ferris Wheel revolving
on float. One of the most novel
and ingenious displays. It de-
| Lighted the boys.
A.S.Braud & Co., Opera House
Drug Store A perambulating
drug store, with an expert druggist
mixing physic. The crowd had
Ito be held back, or they would
have stormed the float to get the
\ So L.