New-York tribune., 1909-09-14
MARDI GRAS OPENS
BIG CROWDS ORDERLY.
Coronation and Parade Begin W cek
of Fun at Island.

The seventh annua! Coney Island fall festival.
Mardi Gras and carnival began it's career OF fun
and froIic at o'clock night with the coronation
in the Steeplechase ballroom OF King Harry 81.
SMITH and Queen Mabel (F Lewis).
Not one of the 100000 persons who gathered to
swear allegiance To their msjestes seemed TO care
if Burt @. Lewis had determined that his seventeen
vear-old daughter should he queen of this years
festival objected 10 his going so far as to Sc
Iect her consort and obtain enough votes TO elect
Young Harry ]. Smith, who is member of the
Pastime Athletic Club and will cast his first vote
this fall in Harlem election district Their youth
full ma estes began their reign without one note or
revolt among their subjects
The machinery of the miniature monarchy moved
without creak. The Brooklyn Rapid Transit
handled the immense crowds to the queens taste.
and he II said 10 the satisfaction Of the king and
TO all others concerned II estimated that forty
carloads pleasure seekers arrived in Coney ISL
and every minute Of the two hours that the time of
travel was setting toward the Isle OF Joy.
Under the command of Borough Inspector Hola-
han. District Inspector OBrien and Captain Fem
nelly Of the Coney Island station, the resort was
efficiently poHced. There was noticeable absence
of rovdyisn tic<lers were prohibited, and the rule
that confetti of only color should he sold from
a single bag strictly enforced. About one th"p-
sand men I'm uniform on duty at intervals ot
ten feet along Surf avenue. tho route taken by the
narade Three hundred detectives circulated among
the crowds on the lookout for nickpnckets. Elah-
crate precautions taken against fire \ line
Of hose Was attached 10 each hydrant and two mon
were detailed To watch it, nearly one hundred hie-
men being duty.
The coronation over the royal party proceeded to
Ocean Boulevard where the parade formed. The
line Of march was through Surf avenue 10 West
29d street Thousands Of coored electric bulbs cast
a brilliant light upon the marchers as they passed
the gayly decorated reviewing stands When the
parada disbanded the King and Queen and their
entouraee proceeded to Stubenb0rd's Hotel. whore
the royal supper had been prepared. Following the
supper the party returned to Stecpicchase for the
coronation hall.
Preceded by the executive In charge Of the fes-
tvaI mounted police, Grand Marshal Conrad
Stubenbord and his escort. st. Johns Home Band
OF sixty pieces the throne hoat and its guard of
honor headed n Mardi parade tnat has prob
ably never been equaled. At least twenty bands
and half as many afe and drum corps provided
music for the marchers. Numerous grotesquc fig
ures appeared here and there in the parade, those
which attracted the most attention being two per-
sons made up TO represent Theodore Roosevelt ana
his son Kermit leading Wild animals Of the jungle
at the ends OF twinc strings. and whskered in
dividual carrying North Pole. with the Stars and
Stripes at the peak.
The floats which we're built under the super
vision Of the executive committee were highly
praised The most attractive floats represented
'The Spirit OF Coney Island" billy Can, the God
of Fun and Frolic." 'Kumcs Kom TO Honey 80 Tho
Sunny South Minstres." PUN in Haunted Gas
tie our Comic Sheet Friends and The Royal
IIverutIrst BAND" The last named followed
by band which had been engaged 10 provide real
music.
Fifteen advertising floats we're entered in tho in
dustrial section NJ the parade. They preceded
by carriage conveying Thomas Abbot the oldest
resident Of Coney Island. no was born there and
has never lived anywhere else.