Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-01


feet right to enjoy The majority of the
population recall with chuckle certain
long professions of unsteady, faring and
bad-smelling torch lights; threats hoarse from
shouting NICE fresh goddess-of-liberty dresses
ruined because the national colors were
rained on, and navy blue, visored caps with
the names Of the presidential and vice
presidential candidates pasted in front. II
something like this does not occupy spare cham
Der back in of the earliest brain cells formed
by every man and woman, he or she either was
raised wrong or had the misfortune to spend a
childhood in some other country. In America we
parade, not frequently in years that will never
be seen again the calendar, but pretty early and
often Just the same.
1t is sad TO admit but it is true, that we are
simmering down little. When King Ak-Sar-Ben
proceeded to rule he had three parades. OF late
years his successors content with two, and
very loyal subjects have been wondering If
would not answer the purpose. The electrical
parade being both unique and better than anything
like it annually produced from coast is yet
deeply rooted in affection but the devising of new
ideas for the daylight spectacle weighs heavily
those supposed to be charged with it.
Always Unrivaled and Novel
One reflection is consoling. Every pageant
given under the seal of Samson and with the APP
prevail of the Ak-sar-Ben monarch has been gladly
More often than not the weather has been kind
during the parades. 1t has been cold, rained
blowed and made things unpleasant for the audi
enc, but the spectators have gone liking the
shows just the same, which goes to prove that the
Ak-Sar-Ben parades quite the unrivaled and
novel events they cracked up to be.
On the night of September IS, 1885, King
Ak-SarBen l, the identity of the ruler being pro-
team, had his first parade. 1t brave showing
of musicians and floats given up to the industries
and commerce of the city, arranged with the
Feast of Mondamin" idea. A fine float pre-
pared for his majesty and he rode on it. The fol-
lowing night the second parade of the week
given. The fashion of daylight parades had not
set in. 1t a long and imposing array, fully
5000 men being in line. There were legions of
soldiers under state and federal commission,
hosts of fraterna and secret orders and bands be-
tween every separate organization.
Original Key to the City
The king really came to the festival on the
night of the big illuminated parade. which had
fourteen floats, representing varied subjects such
as Nebraska corn-fed steer the harvest time,
war of the elements. Mondamin's court, Samson,
fountain of youth, water witch, which still a
sprite the objective point of prayers in this COM
monwealth; the enchanted forest. consummaton
wished for, and
1t is hardly necessary to say that the floats
were not lighted by electricity as it remained for
Omaha to develop this scheme several years later.
Mayor George P. Bemis the first executive to
have the honor of welcoming Ak-Sar-Ben king
and giving him the stereotyped "key to the city,
King Ak-Sar-Ben II was introduced to the
Feast of Olympia" also with three parades, Pa
rade No. had 5000 persons in line and was civic
and military in character. An electric float was seen
for the first time equipped and manned by Union
Pacific Lodge No. II of the Ancient order of United
Workmen. Another electrical device introduced
colored incandescent torches rugged by the
Electrical Workers union by tapping the trolley
wires and making connection with the rails.
Parade No. portrayed in floats the agricul-
tural prosperity of the state The counties had
been invited to compete for prizes, but only Douglas
Sarpy and Holt responded. Sarpy county had an
immense ship of state The Union Pacific had a
display of a realistic locomotive and train. Fire
companies appeared in line and many business
houses advertised floats
Genesis of Electrical Floats
The third and biggest pageant treated of
NEUROLOGICAL subjects with the king as Jupiter
followed by floats for Juno, Flora, Hercules, Ceres
Bacchus, Apollo, Mercury. Vulcan. Justice and the
like all pronounced handsome and the finest seen
up to date.
The annals of 1897 say that $500 persons fol-
lowed the marshal of the civic and military parade
which contained such perennial standbys In these
matters as the troops from Fort Crook, Thurston
Rifles, Omaha Guards and cadets. Three electrical
floats came in the mechanical parade the second
night Their advent had been kept secret and they
were we'll received and caused much admiration.
One noat was given up to the KlOndike Samson
was represented thirty feet tall; Jonah was shown
inside a giant whale by alleged Roentgen X-ray
device. Jonah drinking beer at a small table
and so avidly did he apply himself that near the
end of the show he felt imDelled to lurch from his
chair and roll through the side of the whale. In
the same line of floats Ak-Sar-Ben's court, Moor
ish temple and Electra's court shown.
Parade No. 8, illuminated. showed Progress
of Quivera." from before the time of the James
town settlement to the of the Trans-Mssissippi
exposition George F. West first given credit
for establishing the theme and originating the gem
eral ideas of the floats. One wagon related the
bountiful harvest; another Coronado leaving Bar
eelona In 1885, the land of the Aztec, a vision OF