The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-08-02
friends Rally To Her Support in
the Eleventh Hour and Re-
ceives Total Of lis, ,4o7
RETINUE WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW
Expresses Surprise Mingled With Delight
the Honor Conferred Upon Her, and Receives the
Congratulations Of Many Admirers

All hail, Frances l. queen-clect Of the
Astoria regatta
The contest for queen of the regatta
closed al o'clock last night, and the
committee had counted the votes and
announced the result 30 minutes later,
which showed the following result:
Miss Frances Thomas. s..s......,. .ii6, i05
Mrs. ". w Ridehalsh ........., 24,sss
The greatest interest shown In the
contest slnce Its inception was cyidenc-
"a towards the closing hours last night
ana when the bell sounded that rnarked
the close 4 Large crowd was assembled
In and outside regatta headquarters.
When ths count began Mrs. Rldehalgh
was in the lead, and for time II seemed
as II that popular and charming cam
dldate was assured Of election. but just
when the crowd felt convinced that she
would reign over the best regatta that
Astoria has ever held. a member of
the counting committee fished from one
~ the ballot boxes check for $1,000.
representing 100000 votes for Miss
Thomas. The spectators simply gasped
for breath, and nervous laugh rlppled
through the room. The result was al
ready known. When the actual vote
was announced by Secretary West,
cheer indicating the approval Of those
present went up, and the regatta queen
contest, over which there has been SO
mnch excitement and interest for
week@ past, was at an end.
All that now remains to be done Is
Tor the queen elect 10 appoint her royal
retinue, and for the people to rally 70
her support II this is done her 'eign
eannot help but be brilliant from the
moment the crown OF popular favor is
placed upon her queenly head until she
lids her loyal subjects and courticrs
fond farewell. she will rule a court OF
oneens assembled from many lands,
and her court viii be conspicuous on
account OF It's brilliant elegance. Miss
Thomas is gifted little Lady, and viii
hiring 10 he throne OF Astoria becom-
ing dignity and wealth of bright per-
MRS. RIDEHALGH SPEAKS.
The first person to congratulate the
mcky candidate was Mrs, w. w,
the popular choice of the
neople OF Astoria for the high honor of
queen. This estimable lady was notl-
ned Of the result immediatly after II
haa been announced. and she hasten
I'd to fellcitate her successful rival over
The outcome OF the contest. Mrs. Ride
ha,gh told Miss Thomas that she want
al her 10 feel that she had her best
wishes for conspicuous reign, and as
aurel her her highest personal eonsid-
ara,ion. and when the friends of the'l
successful candidate began to crowd
into the receiving rooms of her aunt
Mrs w. O, Wilkinson, with whom she
resides, the excited and happy queen
Alect gratefully related the thoughtful
act Of Mrs. Ridehalgh. 1T was very
sweet of her" she said to a reporter
~ the Astorian, and shall always
cherish the memory of her kindness as
me of the pleasantest incidents of the
contest"
Mrs Ridehalgh, too, was interviewed
,v the Astorian, and she expressed |
,erse,f IN a most becoming manner
while am sorry that l was not elec-
led queen after my friends had made
,uch a gallant fight in my behalf,
,eyertheless rejoice with the friends of |
he successful candidate" she said.
II has been my pleasure to know Miss
rbomas many years, and | know her
friends will not have cause TO regre,
thelr choice. She will make beautl-
hi queen, and her entertainments win
be truly regal. Indeed II is pleasure