The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1908-04-19
San ANTONIO'S FESTIVAL
ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE


most picturesque spring festivals Of
any city In America On the 21st of
April every year the anniversary of
the victory Of San Jacinto which won
| Texas independence from Mexico. a
procession of gaily decked vehicles
file back and forth in front OF the
Alamo chapel and the beauty and
chiyalry OF the great southwest pelt
each other with flowers and confetti.
This odd and fancifu Battle Of
Powers, with the grim old blood.
stained chapel whore the Texas pa
triots gave their lives, as back
ground is unique festival
During this season sunny southwest
Texas is a land OF flowers. the hills
and valleys are brilliant with every
hue and tint from the delicate white
OF the lilies to the faring yellow Oi
the myriad coriopis. which the chill
dren call Mexican Blankets so
there is no lack OF the ammunition
Of peace, and the flower strewn
streets literally besprinklcd also with
confetti, are thronged with merry,
pleasure loving crowds. The Latin
American element has leavened the
whole lump and at this time the old
world Spanish atmosphere of San
Antonio, makes a ture carnival spirit.
The Spring Carnival, as it is call
ed, generally lasts week: this year
1t begins on Monday, April 2Oth, and
lasts until Saturday the 25th. At this
season crowds flock into San Antonio
from all over Texas and patriotism
and flowers are rampant There are
from one TO two parades every day,
civic parades labor parades, uniform
ed orders and amalgamated brothers
of every kind march back and forth.
one organization in particular The
Knights of OMAHA, (which is Alamo
spelled backwards), introduces the
comic and grotesque elements. as
well as historic, and their false faces
and gorgeous costumes make one
of the features. Bands play on every
plaza, and about every tenth block
in San Antonio is plaza filled with
pomegranate, lilac bushes, Yucca
palms. mulberry or banana trees.
Youths and maidens go arm in arm
and confetti and flowers are thrown
promiscuously and when the blaring
bands cease and the moon rides high
one hears along the shadowy side
streets tinkle OF banjo and guitar
| singing and laughter, the perinial
melody of youth and love
Conspicuous in the crowds giving
the Latin spirit OF abandon to the
festival are the Mexcans; whether
it be that these people have become
so thoroughly Americanizel as to re-
joice in the victory that wrested an
empire from their mother country. or
whether the inherent Latin love Of
festival makes them glad to partici
pate in any kind OF fandango, even
to celebration of their own defeat
they are the most enthusiastic and
hilarious. II is the Latin element with
its love of gay colors which gives
the Battle OF Flowers touch sug-
gestiye of Venice or the festivals of
Spain.
Vacant squares and lots are filed
with all manner of side shows from
"Boscoe who swallows them alive" to
night especially the lights of the
chill stands twinkle and old Mexican
women whom story writer's love to
describe as beautiful senoritas, dish
up chilli con carne, hot tamales, tor
tillas, enchiladas and other mystic
and hot dishes that make you sorry
at the time you eat them and for
long time afterwards. There are
many booths where the famous drawn
work and bead work of the Mexl-
cans are on display.
But Spanish Is not the only one
of the many nationalties that go to
make up southwest Texas. Next in
number and greater in Importance
is the Tutonlc element. San Antonio
is forty per cent German and the Tu-
tonic population OF southwest Texas
will run close 10 one hundred thous-
and. These not infrequently find carni-
val pleasure in cool. seQuestered fam
| lily gardens where the click OF stems
form the accomplishment to beauti-
| ful music. There old friends meet
from distant parts of the state and
after hearty hand clasp pledge
| "prosit" with upturned mugs.