The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1908-06-05
MARINES AND SOLDIERS
March In Seattle Streets In
Monster Parade.
Enthusiasm of Popuiace Mounted
High at Sight of Marching
Fighting Men.

Seattle, May 3l-(Special to The Ca
zette. )-Seattle has recovered from the
great thrush Of people who were attracted
by the presence Of the battleehip fleet.
1t is now possible to move about without
beng iOstled and jammed, albeit the
streets are filed with people, moving
hither and thither in every direction
The normal, however, has been reached,
which is acceptable after four days OF the
most intense strenuosity The military
parade last Wednesday was a monster
affair, participated in by the marines
from the battlesbips, the soldiers from
Fort LawtOn, the National Guard of
Washington and various civic societies
dressed in uniform. 1t was witnessed by
a mass OF humanity on both sides of the
s reefs along the line of march, occupy
ing every front window and covering
housetOps, besides filling numerous re
viewing stands erected specially for the
occasion at SO much per, which netted
several thousands to those building them.
The reviewing stand in front Of the New
Washington Hotel extended the entire
length Of the block and was occupied by
200 people. The enthusiasm OF the
populace was kindIed and gave vent n
prolonged cheering as Uncle Sans boys
marched by in perfect unison to the
strains Of martial music 1t was parade
the like of which was never before seen in
the Northwest, and left a patriotic i'm
preston on thousands of minds that will
last forever. A battered flag, torn and
hanging in shTeds, relic of the Spanish
American war, created the widest en-
thusiasm as it was borne along. An
amusing feature was 13 young black
bears, not much larger than the ordinary
Teddy bear, which filled a gap in the
procession, being led and carried by
turns, az the little fellows were almost ex-
hausted near the end Of the march.
Electrical Display Fireworks.
The electrical display at night was q
dream. TO attempt to describe il would
fill columns. All buildings seemed mass
Of illumination, with many designs fan
tastic as well as unique, something to be
seen to be understood. Possibly the
most striking display was the illumina-
tiOn of the 10 battleships in the harbOr.
Viewed from distance it was the COM
pIete outline of each vessel, from water
line to masthead, in electric Jets, showing
a picture of almost spiritual beauty.
This and the pyrOtechnic display from
several barges anchored near shore was
witnessed by thousands who lined the
water front and other thousands who
filled every available craft and sailed in
and around the battleships. Cheers we're
heard at frequent intervals, although th e
presence OF the cheerers could not be seen
except when some unusual light was Gre
ated by the fireworks Without doubt
those who enjoyed seeing this, as we'll as
the city illumination, from the water in
boats, we're paid many fold for taking
trouble to GO, and saw the cream Of the
brilliant spectacle.
A novelty TO most people was the
searchlight display from the battleships
which was going on at the same time.
Each vessel was provided with several
searchlights, throwing rays of light a
distance of fully two miles. The flashing
Of these lights from all the battleships in
every direction, was a reminder of the
display, on a small scale, Of the northern
lights as frequently seen in the far north
This illumination of the city and vessels
and the pyrotechnic display was kept up
for two nights, and will never be forgot
ten by the thousands who witnessed it.
The fleet pulled out Thursday morning
for Tacoma, the weighing anchor and the
outgoing being even more interesting
than the incoming Ten vessels formed
in line, one after the other, two of the
twelve entering here having left for San
Francisco during the visit. Thousands
visited the battleships while here. The
mosquito fleet, as we'll as the large
steamers, were kept busy conveying the
crowds. 1t presented a scene of activity
and hustle of itself wonder to behold.
Navy Yard at Bremerton.
The navy yard at Bremerton is busy
place just now. Five of the battleships
are anchored in the harbor and one
the Kearsarge-is in dry dock. Thous-
ands, OF course, visit the navy yard.
To see one OF Uncle Sans fighting mon
sters in the drydock is to see it in the
entirety and is a study as well. The
bottom of the Kearsarge was being