Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-04-30
Anniversary Celebration.

Imposing Pageant---Crowning Day OF
Homecoming Week---Visit of the
President - Impressive Masonic
Ceremonies at the Dedication OF
George Washington Park---Large
Concourse of Yisitors-yoyous Elk.
perience of Participants and
Spectators.
Today's parade was the happy cal
minstion of HON s.coming Week, the
festivities OF which began last Monday
night when Rex arrived and his queen
was crowned in the presence of 40 i'm
mense concourse of people in the baud
some court of honor on Washington
street, the boulevard OF Alexandria over
which Lafayette passed and received a
royal ovation when be visited Alexan-
dris over fourscore years ago.
This thoroughfsre as well as King
street has been the theatre OF lively
scenes since the opening night, aud to-
day the bulk Of the clty's population
has been massed at times on those
streets and at the base of Shooters Hill,
where the dedication Of the George
Washington Park took place.
Visitors have been arriving in this
city all the week, but the real influx
took place today. The early trains
brought many, but as the day advanced
the streets became more tbroDged, and
by noon the principal throughfares we're
as bee hives.
Last night, the eve OF The celebration,
was marked BY increased animation.
The United States dispatch steamer Dol
pbin anchored Of this city in the after
noon, aud at the hour of sunset dis
coursed "The S'ar Spaogled Banner"
This morning she appeared In her holt
day gsrb, with flags flying from stem -
stern.
After dark the many thopSands OF
electric bulbs on building aud streets
aud the turning of the r.owerful search
light on Shooters dill upon the city
transformed p'is ht into day.
The sop...aeasterly wind aud threaten
ing conditions which prevsiled yester-
Jay were in evidence sgain this morn
ing although there we're indications
that the wind would change to the
northwest during the day aud brio 6
cooler and clearing conditions. Light
rain, however, began to fall shortly be-
fore nine o'clock this morning.
The sun at times struggled to show
himself, while the clouds seemed to be
scuddiDg across the heavens from the
west, Ehich was regarded as a good
omen. The heavens, however, soon be-
came obscured sgain and more light
showers followed. Conditions showed
no change at noon, when rain continued
to fall.
The president and governor will not
appear 10 line. The president accom-
panied by Capt. Butt will reach the
outskirts of the city in So automobile
shortly after o'clock. They will ia
met by Gov. Swanson and bis staff,
Congressman Osrlin, Mayer PAT,
officers OF the executive com mittee
and a detachment of the Richmond
Light Infantry Blues and escorted to
the residence Of Mr.. Oarlin where the
president and the governor and bis staff
aud other distinguished guests will be
entertained. Later they will review the
parade, after which. they will pro-
coed to the park where the corner stone
will be laid, Mr.. W. B. 5moot, presi.
dent of the association, will preside, and
Hon. O. G. Csrlin will introduce Gov.
Swanson, the orator of the day.
Vice President Sherman and Speaker
Cannon will arrive later In the day.
The Masons exercises will be under the
auspicies of Alexandria. Washington
Lodge, who will be escorted to the park
by Old Dominion Oommsndery Knights
Templar.
Later the president and other dis
tinguished guests will be entertained at
the residence of Mr.. w. B. Smoot.
Many citizens are keeping open houses
The executive headquarters are at
a. Lee Damp Hall where Mayor Pafl,
chairman aad Mr.. E. E. Downhsm,
vice chairman Of the reception commit
tee; Mr.. W. B. Smoot, president of the
celebration committee; Messrs. A. ID.
Brocket and J. Y. Williams, chairman
and secretary respectively of the execu
tive committee and others received there
guests. The press headquarters was In
the building.
The visiting military headquarters
were at Armory Hall and the 6remen at
the different engine houses.
Mr.. Wedderburn, q vice chairman, was
in charge of the reception Of visitors
from Fairfax, Prince William and Alex
andria counties whose headquarters are
in the city hall. Mr.. Charles H. Gala
han, vice chairman, received the secret
organizations, and Mr.. John Leadbeater,
vice chairman, looked after visiting fire.
men. Mr.. A. d. Brockett was 10 charge
of executive headquarters at Lee Camp
Hall.
When the parade formed at Duke and
Washington streets the weather was still
threatening, but there was but bare
suipicion OF sain. The crowd at this
point was dense, bat every feature OF
the programme Was carried out In
satisfactory msnner.
AS the procession began to move the
large crowd followed on the sidewalks,
while doors and windows OF houses were
filled vita spectators.
ROUTE OF PARADE.
The following is the route of the
procession:-Parsde formed on WASH
iDgton street, right resting on Duke
street. Moved at 3p. N. ont Duke
street 10 Patrick, out Patrick to Prince,
down Prince to Fairfax, out Fairfax to