Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-04-26
HOME COMING WEEK.

The curtain rose last night upon the
6rst scene in connection with Home
Coming Week aud the celebration of the
l2O. b anniversary of the inauguration of
George Washington rs president of tn
United States when King street almost
from end to end was made a bank of
light. The streets, which had been
througed with people all day, became
more densely crowded, and the multi.
iude, among whom we're many strangers,
moved up and down King street and por-
tions OF Washington and Royal streets
until a late hour.
The work Of decorating buildings wa,
virtually completed by yesterday mora
ing, aud by the time people began to sp-
pear on the streets the st fl southerly
breeze was hJuDting higs, stresmers,
and other bunting on buildings and
across intersections of King aad other
streets, ga we'll as on msny homes In the
residential section. The public build
ings, engine houses, etc, were also deco.
rated.
As the day advanced the ateam and
electric trains began 10 land visitors
in the city, aud by midday the streets
were alive with people. The multitude
Was increased during the afternoon and
towards the close Of the day King street
was as populus as the main thorough
fare of large city.
Thousands OF electric bulbs had been
stretched along both sides of King
street; also on several squares of Wash.
ington street, aud shortly after dark the
current was turned on when those streets
as well ss portions of Royal street be-
came brilliantly illuminated. A! many
Intersections strings of electric lights
had been placed across thoroughfares,
forming arches Of electricity.
Ga Washington street the scene was
dazzling. The court OF honor stretching
from the monument at Prince street to
Oronoco was suggestive of fairylGnd.
Flowers, ferns and cedar trees had been
placed ia the centre of the street which
added materially to the effect.
Could spectators have viewed the
scene from an airship they would have
beheld a vast electric cross on terra
firma-the upright position being
formed by King street and the srns by
Washington street.
The electric lights would have been
turned on Saturday night, but for the
fact that the committee in charge had
not given the required indemnifyiDg
oOnd to the Electric Railway Company.
Mr.. j. NJ. Hill yesterday personally
gave the required bond. The Electric
Railway Company which furnishes the
current we're 10th 10 assume the respon-
sibility for accidents which might &C.
cur.
This was the main question discussed
at the meeting of the executive commit
tee last Saturday night. The other bus
mess transacted was Of routine nature.
Tonight at o'clock will witness the
most dazzling scene in connection with
the celebration, when liking Harry the
Onest," seated on bis throne, which
will be mounted on handsome float,
aud surrounded By his court aud guards,
will start from the foot OF King street.
At the Same time mounted on throne
and surrounded by her ladies in waiting
Miss Marie Fsnnon, who vas elected
"Queen of the Carnival by a large
popular vote, will start from the ex-
IRENE western end of the city. The
two PROFESSIONS will meet and combine
10 the northern end OF the "Oourt of
Honor" There the coronation OF
"Q1een Marie" will take place and
Mayor Psff will deliver the keys to the
city to King Harry.
The two h9as have been constructed
under the personal supervision OF Nor
gan A Sherwood, Of the New National
Thes,er, Washington. Each will be
drawn by -four handsome horses, and
each horse will be attended by a Nublsn
"slaye" dressed appropriately.
Ga the fl at with the king will be an
IS rOnomer, q sootbsayer, so archbishop,
the court jester, and four pages, and pre-
cediug and following will be an escort of
Knights, warriors, trumpeters, heralds,
and retsiners, including the famous Arab
Pa'rol, Of Almas Temple, Washington,
Ill In costume of the middle ages, aud
many Of them mounted. At The court
Of honor Rev. Edgar Carpenter, rector
If Grace Protestant Episcopal Church,
siIl invoke blessing on the assemblage
md will also crown the queen. When
Mayor Paf has surrendered the gov
,rnment of the city to "King Harry"
he carnival will be declared formally
opened.
One of the principal features OF the
carnival throughout the week will be
Jol. Francis FeiarPs exposition Of
rsined wild animals, comprising about
fifteen shows.
The feature Of the weeks festivities
will occur next Friday, the one hundred
md twentieth anniversary of the insugu-
alton of General Washington, as presi-
lent of the United S aleS, on which &C.
aston the dedication o! a park directly
Vest Of the city to the memory OF the
Father Of his county," will take place |
nth Masonic ceremonies and an impos-
ng military pageant reviewed by Presi-
lent Taft, Vice-president Sherman,
speaker Cannon and members of Con-
Fess will mark the event. The famous
Richmond Blues will at as President
'sf's military escort. Gov. CLAUDE A.
iwsnson, of Virginia, will deliver q
nemorIal address at the dedic ston
A I EAlIHT NA |