The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-29
MELONS
Third Annual Watermelon Car.
nival at Clyde
Brings Thousands of People to
the City.

Clyde, Aug. 2s.-Three years ago Geo
Gregg. who had rather cut good
HirIoin steak than do most anything
else. suggested that Clyde have a
watermelon carnival He had been
reading all about how the people OF
Rocky Ford raised their melons, and
how they annually treated their friends
and neighbors. and as Clyde is the
watermelon center of Kansas, he pro-
Dosed the melon raisers Of the Repub-
Iican valley tributary to Clyde do the
fair thing with the people Of the town
and surrounding country and do pne
same thing. No sooner said than done,
and her first free watermelon carnival
was given the crowd being large, ana
the festival or carnival was a complete
success. The second carnival. that If
last year, was a. larger success tnan the
first, and other attractions were given.
The visitors were treated royalty on
their first visit, the same crowd re-
turned the second year, bringing with
them more strange faces. and while
they all appeared to enjoy theInselNS =
they all returned this year, not only
bringing their children but nelgnDofs
and friends from Nebraska
The third annual watermelon carnival
given by the business men Of clyde
will go into history as the largest ana
most successful of all of then. The
president of the association this year
is Geo. J.. Gregg; w. r. Crump, secIe-
1avv and w. S. Cannon, treasurer
Two arches are suspended over the
main street, reading "Clyde's third an
nuai carnival While the window as
plays were not as elaborate as on
former occasions with one accord het
business men subscribed literally 10
defray the expenses. S H. Knapp, OF
the advertising committee. spared no
time or expense TO attract the peopaS
to Clyde, and they came by train load
and wagon load
Over 5000 free melons were given
away at the City park, and It IS be
1ieved more than 10000 people ate OF the
free melons donated by the people OF
CLYDE. The melons were in a pile about
five feet high and 200 feet long A long
table had been erected for the carnival,
and knives were furnished TO cat the
melons Rocky Ford never presented a
1ivelier scene than the thousands who
attacked the Clyde melons
Clyde is an enterprising town OF l5OU
people 1t is situated in the Republl-
can river valley. the most prolific va
termelon growing region of Kansas
Soon as the Missouri Pacific completes
and extends the Central Branch to
Denver it expects to be made a rail-
road division J. ID. Beachtel, one OF her
most enterprising business men. and
an old railroad engineer, IS Sanguine of
railroad point, and in consequence has
invested several thousand dollars in his
business and other real estate in the
city.
A notable event in her watermelon
carnival this year was the flower pa
rade which would have been 4 credit
to Topeka or Kansas City The splend-
idly decorated carriages appeared in
the procession as follows. The Clyde
band leading followed by the queen,
7nr..sl al 1d n hon
or. the Misses Roach, Peters, Morris
and Patterson
The next carriage was driven by Mrs.
Fannie Lake and was decorated with
The fourth carriage was driven by
Miss Phoebe Coupel. and was trimmed
with red roses and asparagus
Mrs. Effie Peck drove the next car
riage- 1t was trimmed with white
chrysanthemums, and was cheered from
start to finish in the parade.
Mrs. Lizzie Crump drove carriage No
6, which was trimmed with red and
white roses.
Mrs Emma Baker. with her carriage
trimmed with water lilies, and Mrs
Nellie JONES. trimmed in purple and
The Misses Langtin and Cannon fol-
lowed, their carriage being decorated
with white carnations
The Misses Pearl Wickweth and Min
ME Farnesworth carriage was trimmed
with water lilies, and that driven by
Airs. Matte Gillespie was decorated
with pink and white chrysanthemums.
Mrs. Pearl Crump drove a decorated
carriage trimmed with snowba1ls, while
Miss l. Regnier's was trimmed with
yellow and white roses. and that of Mrs
Emma StOffy was trimmed with the en-
blem of Kansas-sunfiOwer
Mrs. c. w Vandemark drove a tasty
vehicle. decorated with morning glories-
The Misses Bessie Cannon. Dora Knox,
Alice Hawkins and earle Carlysle rode
richly decorated bicycles.
Then followed floats of Good Temp
lars, Rebeccas, Odd Fellows, the Min
tonvale band, A o. U w, Royal
Neighbors, WOodmen, National Aid,
court of honor, and goats and Brown
les It was q most entertaining spec
tacle, and. the 10 900 people who lined
her sidewalks during its passing ap-