The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1909-05-15
BATTLEsHlP MISSISSIPPI.
Visit of Modern Fighting Machine Mo-
table Event-ohicers and Grew Roy
ally entertained Thousands
Inspect vessel

4uspecE EGsSel.
/ The great battleship Mississippi.
one Of the newest and most sturdy
additions to Uncle Sam navy, ar
rived here last Wednesday promptly
at 1 O'Clock, and anchored imrnedi-
ately in front of the wharf, amid
the deafening blasts of the Whis-
ties of steamboats,, the powerhouse
aud ice factory and the roar of can
non, which was fred from the
wharf by squad Of the Sons of
Veterans, under command of Louis
A. Landry, Jr., and National airs
which were effectively rendered by
the ST. Joseph Brass Band, and
amid the yells of hundreds of citi-
zens who had assembled on The levee
to look upon the grand ship as she
gracefully ploWed her way up the
murky stream.
AS she rounded Bringier's bend,
about mile and half below town,
Collector of the Port, Henry Nc
Call, Mayor Maurin. the City Coun-
Gil and Police Jury, together with a
number of other representative
citizens composing the reception
committee, boarded the revenue
cutter, Davey, which had been
previously sent here by Collector
Mccall, and proceeded down the
river to meet and escort her here.
When she anchored the party
boarded her to the strains of inspir-
ing music, which was rendered by
her excellent band, and were intro
duced to Capt Fremont and his
gallant corps of officers. Immedi-
ately afterward they were shown
over the superb craft by the officers.
About this time sight-seers began
TO arrive in a large barge towed by
the tugboat Patton, in charge of
Capt. H. C. Whiteman, and they
continued to arrive up to Ago, the
limit set for receiving visitors.
That afternoon the sailors, num-
bering $50, paraded the principal
streets, preceded by their fine band.
which rendered some elegant march
music en- route. They presented
an inspiring martial appearance,
and moved with the precision and
ease which is always noticeable
with men of their careful training.
All were dressed in white duck
suits and were eheered ali along the
line of march. A stop was made
at the High School, where National
airs were sung by the pupils.
At night a grand reception was
rendered the officers at the Knights
of Columbus Hall, which was
largely attended BY our people, who
plainly manifested their pleasure at
meeting the handsome young Off
GERS of the great war ship. The
affair wound up with a dance,
which continued up to II o'clock.
Light refreshments were served and
were heartily enjoyed by all. The
hall had been tastily decorated for
the occasion by a ladies' auxiliary
club, Of which Mrs. F. B. Lemann
was chairlady. The decorations
consisted of bunting, holly, moss,
ported plants and American flags.
Thursday afternoon the officers
were taken in the revenue cutter to
the Evan Hall plantation of Mccall
Bros, where an informal reception
was accorded them at the Mccall
mansion, immediately after which
the officers and members of the
committee were placed in carriages
and driven over the splendid Evan
Hall plantation, as well as the Palo
Alto plantation of B. Lemann &
Bro, and then back to town, where
another elegant reception awaited
them at the residence of Mr.. F. B.
ELemann. at the corner of Opelousas
street and Nichols avenue. This,
like the previous one, proved de-
lightfuI in every particular, and
was most heartily enjoyed by all
who participated.
The grand ball which concluded
the round Of entertainments took
place in the spacious auditorium Of
the DonaldsonvilIe High School
Thursday night, and was attended
by a throng Of people that virtually
filed the place to overlooking, and
proved fitting finale TO the great
and Glorious accaSiar1 made Y1ocsih1a