St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-02-12

quite i'll, and his voice lacked tn.
usual strength given to his differences
but his interest in the occasion woult
not allow him shirk any of the dutie!
of his office nor forego the pleasure O.
extending a welcome to the guests O.
the town.
The greetings of the Mayor were
received by the King with all thu
courteous dignity of his royal station
who spoke as follows:
In accepting the keys Of your town
Mr.. Mayor, l am not lacking in appre
citation of the many advantages yo,
possess. The renown Of the medicina
properties Of your waters have reached
me in far off lands. The virtue o!
your ozonic atmosphere is world
famous. Of the hospitality of you
people | have good reason to know
since my arrival here, and / have
tasted of the luxuries of your hotels
[soto voce--I am talking about my
hotel now. That your women are
as lovely in character as they are in
face and form is not unfamiliar to the
reputation of the Sunny South. But
| am surprised at the rapid growth OF
your town, at the progressive spirit OF
your citizens, when l consider that
only recent opportunities have given
you the means that make rapid prog
ress possible. l am surprised also, to
see that your merchants are hauling
freight by way of Covington instead
of from your railroad station, and /
assure you, had been compelled to
come by freight, I should have gone
en- to Covington and then footed it to
Abita. That | shall find pleasure in
your town am confident and in be-
half of myself and my retinue I beg
leave to thank you for your generous
consideration and kindness.
AS the King passed Railroad Ave
nue. he was presented with a bouquet
of flowers by Miss Louise Duquesne.
In the line of the parade were Judge
A. 0. Pons, Grand Marshal, on horse
back. Carriage of the town officials
in which were seated Mayor A. Mutt,
Treasurer John Distruel and Alderman
Charles Biggio, preceded by the school
children of the Abita Public school.
The King on his throne came next.
He was seated in the arch of a huge
crescent, whose silvery light shone
upon huge bank Of clouds above
which he was seated, large winged
dragon crouching at his feet, and he
waved his greetings to the people with
his scepture, while he nodded his royal
head in recognition Of distinguished
guests and prominent citizens.
The Kings float was guarded by
three Indian chieftians on horseback,
|ineal descendants of the Indian maid
whose life was saved by the wonder
full waters of the Abita Springs when
all the medicine men of the different
tribes appealed to had been unable to
nelp her. These chieftains were Ralph
Abney, Walter Abney and Joseph
Lamousin, and their picturesque cos
,umes brought the mind back to the
lime when the Indian arrow sought a
vital spot in the wild deer that roam
I'd the surrounding forest. The stone
are frequently plowed up
n the newly titled fields of nearby
'arms.
Shooting STAR" the title of the
ioat on which was seated the ''Queen
If Abita,'' carried gently and swiftly
N the crest of cloud heap. Like a
tar, indeed, she looked, in her CO.'S
ume of blue satin. Waving her ,
wand, her charming little face peeping
lbove her blue costume, the light of
Ter smile like the light of a star in
he blue firmament-a Ssh 0 ting
tar" in reality was little May Brown.
"Dreamland" was float gotten up
" Mr.. and Mrs. w. L. Fountain, of
1ovington. Its central figure was a
pyramid of flowers composed Of
darechal Neil roses, red roses and
lies, which was surrounded by bow
RS of flowers enscored among which
we're minstrels with string instru-
nents playing sweet music to the
ymphs who dreamed life away
midst the perfume of flowers.
Consumers Brewery the float
.otten up by Joseph Elchinger agent
or the company at Covington and
fr. Charles Biggio, of the Eagle Sa-
Don, of Abita. represented a golden
eg of beer, with silver hoops, resting
t the top of an ornamented mound.
n front was the sign eagle Saloon,
has. Biggio, proprietor; at the back,
onsumers Brewery, Jos. Elchinger
lgent.
The St. Tammany Banking Com
any and Savings Bank, of Covington,
bank scene, the cashiers
5indow in the foreground represent
,g a busy scene where the coin of the
calm was evidently keeping the
asher busy with the prosperous rush
{ business. The facade of the bank
,as supported by Greek columns, and !