Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-17

earlier IN the summer and the bio
coronation and Mardi Gras carni-
val held last evening have given
ample evidence of the enterprise
of these merchants. The 1900
block is known from coast to coast
and much credit is due the mer-
charts in this body for their sue
eessful campaign. They have set
a pace for others.
More than 10000 people from the
tri-cities crowded into the downtown
streets last evening 10 witness the
1850 block coronation and Mardi Gras
carnival The crowd was one of the
largest ever seen on the streets of
the city. As early as o'clock all
streets leading TO the business section
were filed with people on the way 10
witness the ceremonies. Many Daven-
mort residents and countless automo-
biles were in evidence
At 7:3O Second avenue. from East
Seventeenth street TO Sixteenth street,
was one mass OF humanity The great
crowd in Market square also hamper
ed the marshals in getting the parade
started Although there was much
scunIing and pushing in the crowd ev-
eryone seemed 10 possess goodfellow-
ship spirit and took things good ma
turedly The attendance went beyond
all expectations and the committee in
charge had a hard time carrying out
the program for the evening. As il
was. they did remarkably well. and
much credit is due the merchants and
the city police.
Throng Sees Parade.
After much hard work on the part
OF those in charge the parade was
finally started at S o'clock from Mar
ket square. The immense crowd push
ed in from all sides TO get a look at
the queen and the floats. and the autos
had to proceed slowly at first. The
formation of the parade was as fol-
lows:
Iarshals on horseback
Platoon OF police.
Rock Island A F. NJ. band, 16 pieces.
Contest judges in autos
Company \. /. y. g.
Queens float and guards.
Old soldiers. G. a. R.
Eight contestants in auto.
300 block merchants OF Davenport
in autos.
1900 block merchants in autos.
Mardi Gras. clowns and funmakers.
Miss Bessie Barth, the winner of
the popularity contest. looked every
inch queen as she sat in her beauti-
ful float Six uniformed guards with
glittering helmets and carrying spears
we're with her. Four OF the guards
E---ted in the street and the others
Tcle on the foas. The lady attend
ants were Miss Agnes Pardon and
Miss Gertrude Rosenfield- Leonard
Richardson was captain, the pages
we're Tom Cavanaugh and Albin Riess,
and the guards. Ray thinner, Victor
Harder. Louis Koils and John Pardon.
Company 4 made a neat appear
alce in uniform. The old soldiers
were loudly applauded as they passed
the immense throngs and the 300 blocN
merchants OF Davenport were also CIV
On hand for their appearance in the
parade KEEL Wiestedt. dressed up as
Mutt riding a bucking goat, drew
many q laugh from the crowd The
line Of march was down Second avenue
70 Fourteenth street. south TO Third
avenue, east 10 Twentieth street, north
10 Second avenue and west on Second
avenue 10 the 1900 block again. The
judges took their places on the
band stand in front of Billings & Her
zos's store and the decorated autos
passed them 90 be Judged. The
queens float was drawn up to the
curbing Just east OF the band stand
and the horses unhitched.
R'ess Master Of Ceremonies.
4. J. Riess. president of the 1900
Block Business Mems association. act
ed as chairman and opened the cere-
monies. speaking from the queens
float He said in part:
Ladies and Gentlemen: AS president
Of the 1900 Block Business Mems as
ISOLATION ] take this opportunity to
thank you on behalf of the association
for the patronage and interest taken
In the popularity contest, also the con-
tes,ants and their friends, who WORKED
so hard 10 see them win. j hope you |
Viil favor our merchants with your
Patronage in the future. AS the mayor
is out OF the city take great pleasure
IN Introducing 70 you commissioner +
Jonas Bear. Who will present Miss Bes-
sic Barth. winner OF the popularity |
Contest, with a diamond ring and also /
crown her queen OF Rock Island coun- !
~"
Ar. Bear took the stand, presented !
Miss Barth with the ring and placed I
the crowd upon her head. completing ]
The coronation. Commissioner Bear I
said.
Miss Barth. in the absence or the /
honorable mayor. II. NJ. Schriyer' = /