The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1915-01-14
AWAITING FAMOUS PIRATE
Tampa Prepares For Annual Landing
OF We Mystic krewe OF
GasparIlIa

Tampa, Fla, Jan. Presenting
the varied beauties and resources OF
semi-tropic Southern Florida, and re-
viving its romance-written past as
well, the tenth annual carnival OF Ye
Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, named for
one of the fiercest pirates Of American
history, will be held in this city from
February IL to 16, inclusive, attract
ing host of health and pleasure-seek.
ers from the "frigfd zone" above the
northern boundary line of the Para.
disc of Flowers. 1t Is confidently ex-
Florida events will be broken during
the five-day period OF festivity. and
among the visitors will be many nota-
bles of America and foreign countries.
President Wilson is among those be,
ing urged to attend.
The twelve counties OF Southern
Florida, owing to their varied re-
sources. have weathered the period OF
depression resulting from the sudden
outbreak of the European war and
financial regulation at Washington In
q magnificent manner, as shown by
the general demand for the holding of
prosperity celebration" In Tampa.
These counties appear to best advan-
tage during the month of February, at
which festivities Of the tourist and
fruit and vegetable shipping season
are at their heights, and the words of
greeting to the visiting thousands will
be Depression rs an unknown expe-
rience here" Therefore, the Gaspa-
rilla Carnival will be promoted on a
grander scale than ever before. In
honor Of the annual event the rail-
roads and steamship lines have grant
ed extremely low rates to Tampa and
other places in South Florida from all
points east Of the Mississippi river, and
from some points west.
More than a century ago Gasparilla
and his crew held forth in q crude but
we'll fortified mansion on Gasparilla
Isle, which lies Just south of Tampa,
from which they sailed forth in search
Of treasure ships and pretty women,
many of whom were taken and held
captive. Just once did the crew ven.
ture into Tampa's bay-Tampa was
nothing more than a fishing hamlet
then-but they were forced to beat a
quick retreat by the men in the garri'
son known as Fort Brook. These
hardy soldiers, some of whom fought
In the War of 1912 and against the
Seminole Indians, put the pirates to
fight without baGIle. The comman-
der of Fort Brook, not being naviga-
tor, followed the pirates into the Gulf
and returned by throwing shingles into
the waters, being enabled thereby to
come back over the course taken in
going out. For ten years past the
ghostly figures of the pirate crew have
fallen upon and taken the city, but in
the cause Of peace and pleasure, and
not in the guest for blood and gold.
The landing of Gasparilla has, there
fore, become almost as widely known
among the children of America as the
landing Of DeSoto, which Is also por-
trayed during the Carnival. The Car
nival is one of the most brilliant so.
cial events of the South each year.
Owing to the increased interest in
the monster carnival pageants, the
number of allegorical and historical
parades will necessarily be increased
this year, and scores Of floats of
marvellous beauty will be entered.
Mapeuvers by warships, aeroplane
flights, regattas, day and night fire.
works displays in the bay and river,
a beautiful exhibition of South F1ori.
da products on the court house square
and other features are being arranged
for the entertainment of the visitors
The carnival will excel the fetes of
Southern Europe In uniqueness, II not |
in splendor, and every visitor will be
we'll cared for by the populace.