St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1903-02-28

of the historic old hostelry, and
there is no doubt that he "set the
pacen that many followed. Mr..
Cretin is indeed worthy success
or of the veteran Austin Lacombe
and the famous old place still re-
tains the undisputsd reputation Of
being among the best hotels in the
State.
There is one thing certain, and
and that is that the visitors can
not complain that they were
"gouged" on Mardi-gr.s day. The
prices in all the hotels and restau-
rants were the same as it were an
ordinary day, with the exception
OF the Lacombe Hotel. From the
time this old hotel was established
the price has been 75 cents meal
on Mardi-gras day it was reduced
to SO cents. The peopisof Opelou-
sas don't indulge in the "gouging'
business.
Among the carnival visitors In
Opelousas were Brothers Will
Steidly, editor of the Lake Charles
Daily Press and prominently
mentioned for Lieutenant Governor,
and j. Ct. Kregg, editor OF the Lake
Charles Daily American. Both
went home singing the praises OF
Old Opelousas and the Carnival.
The weather could not have been
better had it been made to order.
The weather man was certainly
good to us, and has our profound
est thanks. He showed US the
weather was strictly for the occas-
ion, and was not meant as q finale
the two months spell Of rain, by
opening. up business the very next
day. OF course we would have
liked to have seen the weather
continue good, but if that is the
best the old man could do, we'll, let
'er go.
Had it not been for the street
fair, the Carnival Committee would
have found itself in a pickle-that
is, the citizens, or members of the
committee, or someone, would have
had To gone "down their jeans"
and pulled out some more coin to
defray the expences. AS it is, the
street shows will nearly pull the
committee out of debt we mean,
pay the expenses OF the Carnival.
The floats used are now for sale.
They will probably be bought by
some neigh boring town for a St.
Joseph parade. For particulars
apply to the Carnival Committee.
The militia boys were royalty
treated by tho local soldier boys.
They were quartered at the armory
where they slept and ate. Barbecn-
ed veal, ham, salads, bread, coffee,
ETC., constituted the menu, and all
seemed to enjoy the two days stay
In old Opelousas. The town was
theirs, and they just took charge of
affairs in grand style. They even
took charge of the Robinson shows
on Wednesday morning, and Aimee,
Big Joe, Lunette, ETC., were all in
turn impersonated by the boys in
blue. Hazing was practiced to a
limited extent-just to laugh. They
all had a grand time.
Strangers commented favorably
on the splendid coalition of our
streets. They would not believe
that 1t had been raining almost
continuously since. January. The
natural drainage of Opelousas is
first-class-clay streets are not In
accord with our ideas on the SUBJ
lject, however.
/ The Carnival Committee greatly
appreciate the kindness OF our
country friends, who loan us horses
for the occasion, free of cost, Had
it not been for them, 1t is doubtful
if the horses could have beed secur-
cd.
The Ope1osas Carnival Associa'
tion is a permanent organization
i and it is an assured fact that every
Mardi- -Gras will be celebrated. The
committee has already began work
for next year, and propose to make
it grander and more elaborate, and
complete.
I Company r. and others who at
tended the Mardi Gras carnival al
Opelousas returned Wednesday or
the first train. Between eighty
and 100 people attended from here
| The carnival was the biggest
thing that has happened in Ope
pelousas for years. It is estimated
!, that $1,000 people were ON ths
streets OF that city to witness ths
parade.