The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-11

According to old residents of Birning- ham the floral parade given yesterday afternoon excelled any pageant ever given in the Magic City. Nearly mile in length it appeared as one long line of simmer ing beauty as it traversed a course three miles long. Sidewalks on both sides of the streets and part of the roadway for all the distance was packed with a throng which expressed it's appreciation in gen. erous applause.
 As the bands played Dixie" the cheers eff the thousands lining the route were deafenlng. Practically every band at tending the reunion was interspersed in the parade. Among them were Memoli 5 Of Birmingham, Sixth Regiment of Cape Girardeau, Mo-; Alabama Polytechnic h. stitute, East Lake Boys Industrial school, Tyler Tex Kid band, Carbon Hill band
 First came the children's trap, and then on down the hne finishing with the heavy fire wagons was as fine a lot of decora ted vehicles as ever graced any parade. Near ly every trap or automobile had lost it's original appearance in some beautiful de- cgn, flowers of every description hiding the body and wheels, while apparently all of the feminine beauty in the sunny south land had been gathered together for the express purpose of occupying flats during the parade.
 Magnolia park, at Tenth avenue and Twenty-second street, south, was the po,nt at which the parade formed, the line of march being from that point to Avenue H, down that avenue to Twenty first street. north on Twenty-first street to Fifth avenue, north along Fifth ave- nue to Twentieth street, down Twentieth to First avenue, to Nineteenth street, to First avenue, to Twenty-irst street. to Park avenue and on Park avenue past the reviewing stand.
 Two tallyhos, one containing the spon- sors for the Sons and the other being occupied by members of the Yancy Chap ter of Daughters of the Confederacy, a huge truck containing the Southern Cross team, nine automobiles, twelve carriages, thirteen children's traps, sixteen Bir- mingham fire department wagons, several guns and ammunition wagons of Battery D. artillery corps; and ambulances were
 
 Troop A Greeted by Cheers.
 Troop A of Tennessee, a body of gray haired veterans of the civil war wearing Confederate gray, were greeted with thun derous cheers as they rode gracefully along. The horseback section consisting of couples from Birmingham also at tracted great attention. This particular part of the parade was especially attrac. tive, the gaiy decorated saddles and trap pings with prancing steeds making a gala appearance.
 The sixteen fire wagons were each fairyland of daintiness. Heavy steamers, Look and ladders and chemical and hose wagons were made bowers of lovely de- sign, the many parts of the wagons al- lowing for a wide range of decoration. "Old Frank" the white horse who has been connected with the fire department longer than any man or animal, having been an active worker in it for 25 years, pranced proudly in front of this division of the parade. drawing the chiefs wagon.
 decided feature of the parade was the model of the, Confederate gunboat "Merrimac" This was built around the automobile of MT. Gordon Crawford and was occupied by a bevy of beautiful girls. The sloping sides and box-like ef- feet of this wonderful boat was initiated in correct design. Guns protruded from the sides in fierce array. while the eX- terior was solid mass of vines and foil- age The sides dropped to the ground all the way around, completely hiding the machine inside.
 Given by Morgan-Pettus Camp.
 The parade was given under the aus pices of Camp Morgan-Pettus, United Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the judges were A. c. Sexton of Montgomery, commander of the Alabama division of the Sons, chairman; R. B. Haughton of St. Louis, past commander and Clinton w. Fielder of Blackville, chairman of the finance committee.
 The committee from Camp Morgan-Pet- tus in charge of the parade was com posed of Henry B. Gray, chairman; Hugh
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