The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-02-24

1
Ter and his royal retinue. Gavety
reigned supreme from the time his
majesty stepped ashore from his i'm
gerial yacht Virgie, at o'clock o. m.
and it was long after midnight before
the frivolities were concluded and the
revelry of the carnival festival hac
faded into the splemnity of the
Lenten season.
The crowd which participated in
the celebration has been exceeded
only once before in point of size ir
recent years, and that was ON the oc.
casion of the closing day of the South
Louisiana Fair. last October. Tues.
days outpouring closely approximat
ed the record assemblage which gath
cred in Donaldsonville on that day
being conservatively estimated te
have comprised at least 5000 visitors
| The care-free carnival spirit was
| much in evidence, and throughout the
day not the slightest untoward Incl.
dent occurred to cause even moment
airy annoyance or mar the delightful
celebration in any way. All business
was suspended at noon, and from then
on everybody devoted themselves to
merrymaking.
The royal standards of the king of
the carnival were displayed from
numerous business houses and resi-
dences, while a patriotic touch was
lent to the attractive decorations by
the presence of the red, white and
blue in flags and bunting. The spirit
of America first" was everywhere in
evidence, and the national colors
blended tremendously and inspiring
ly with the green, gold and purple of
the flag of fun and fancy.
An immense gathering Of loyal sub
jects assembled at the river front to
greet the king upon his arrival at 2
O'Clock, and he was welcomed to his
royal capital amid the footing of
whistles and the cheers of the en-
thusiastic populace. Accompanied by
five brilliantly costumed dukes Of the
realm, his majesty came ashore and
was presented to the officials of the
city administration and other digni-
taries of the kingdom. A procession
was formed and the royal visitor was
escorted to the Donaldsonville High
School, where a golden key emble-
matte of that which unlocks the treas
ure of the city's hospitality was pre-
sented to him by little Miss Addie
Gisclard, the pretty daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Paul Gisclard. Her we'll
worded speech of welcome was re-
sponded to on behalf of the king by
DR.. E. K. Sims, who expressed his
majesty's appreciation of the magnif-
icent greeting extended him, and
stated that the gracious ruler of
revelry babe everyone join in the jol-
LITIGATION to follow.
King Mohawk then mounted his
royal chariot and rode through the
principal streets of his capital, at the
head of a spectacular pageant that
was viewed by thousands Of adniring
subjects who lined the thoroughfares.
The crack st. Joseph Brass Band led
the procession, and following it were
the five dukes OF the realm, gorgeous
ly attired and riding handsomely
caparisoned steeds.
Next came the car of state, vision
of beauty, with two dainty little
pages,s impersonated bye Masters
George Doran and John Blanchard,
seated at the feet of his majesty.
The military company of the DON
High School was next in
line. The cadets wore regulation SER
vice uniforms of khaki, with caps and
leggings, and carried army rifles.
They were commanded by Capt. Otto
Mestayer, and attracted much atten-
ton along the line of march.
Mayor Walter Lemann, Commits
sioners C. Kline and Frank Milano,
and Messrs. F. L. Trepagnier, Sidney
Mollere, Emile Rodrigue, Leon Weis
and charles Gaudin, constituting the
committee of Mohawk Tribe Of Red
Men which arranged the celebration,
rode in two automobiles.
A number Of attractive floats fol-
lowed, portraying various subjects
and devices, several of which were of
an extremely artistic character and
would have made creditable show
ing anywhere. Two of these, in adj
dition to the kings float, were fur
nishedf by Mohawk Tribe, and were
the handiwork of Messrs. Florian j.
Michel and Emile Rodrigue. One
was in the form of a stately pavilion
in which several masked figures
disported themselves, and
The other represented Minnehaha and
Hiawatha resting in their canoe on
the placid bosom of a lake at the edge
of the "forest prineval." The
characters were imperson-
ated by Alex. Collet and Miss Ethel
These beautiful cars
were greatly admired, and added i'm
to the pictorial effect
achieved by the pleasing pageant.
Other handsome floats were enter
ed by the Israel Shoe Company, New
Orleans Bargain Store, H. Schaff &
Son, Fashion Company, John Oubre,
Home Mercantile Company, and other
business concerns. All Of these were
clever in conception and of artistic
and reflected much credit
upon everybody concerned in their
A graceful swan of huge proper
ions, floating on a pellucid pool, the
whole constructed on framework
around a motorcycle, was one of the
ioats in the parade which elected
many admiring comments. The rear
vas brought up a score or more of
decorated automobiles, |
many of which contained merry
naskers of both sexes.
A touch of humor was injected by
squad of burlesquers, CARRIED in
fantastic costumes, who marched be- |
'ore ridiculous, conveyance in which |
vas enthroned "King Down and Out. -
rhe 'sroyal Jewels" displayed before
i'm, consisted of carrots, onions,
,adisbes and other vegetables.
III. Schaff, ST., and Charles Maurin,
IT., were the marshals of the parade.