The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-04-14

Used Land e which our eyes had
been looking l~ongingly. no doubt
many OF us. the ladies in particular.
having remembered that old Ponce
De Leon made a famous pilgrimage
10 those parts years and years
before and we felt a desire to
worship at his shrine. We rad been
royalty received and entertained in
Alabama and enjoyed every momen
OF II but Florida was our goal and
the wonderful Deity of Pensacola
gave us such a genuine welcome TO
the home Of sunshine and flowers
that we were captivated at the very
threshold Of the state and felt that
II that reception was a sample of
Florida hospitality. we were to be
most royalty entertained. We were
not disappointed. From that day
forward until the close OF the tour.
more than a month later. the cor
dial hospitality OF the F~loridians
never waned but. II possible. grew
more hearty and sincere from day 10
day. IL was a perfect day from
the time we stepped from our train
at 1915 IN the morning until we
banqueted at the San Carlos hotel
at night when we had the honor
OF being addressed by Governor
Carry A. Hsrdee. Pensacola is the
Oldest city IN the United States.
st. Augustine has been Claiming
this distinction. but there IS proof
beyond doubt that Pensacola Is en-
titled TO that honor. There flew
from the top OF the American Ma
tional Bank. the ten story ky
scraper. the flags under which the
people of this city have been Roys
erned. On iop was Old Glory and
then came the flags Of the Con
iederacy, Great Britain, France and
Spain, The party was driven around
the city IN automobiles and thence
10 n of the docks where two
gaily decorated boats. the Richmond
and the Leroy were in waiting.
After we got on hoard we were
taken for a sail down the harbor
and then up TO the government
aviation station. which Is the lang
est In the United States. As we
approached the station mammoth
blimps came out 70 greet us and
flying directly over our boats show
cred flowers upon us. The beauty
OF II all is indescrlbable. This was
the beginning OF the shower of
flowers and fruit which continued
from a seeming n~ever-ending source.
during IA entire sojourn in Flor
Ida. Much has been said of south
ern hospitality. We were not all
from Missouri but they showed US"
II was a magnificent sight to see
these great ariships of aluminium
color flying in the air. At the dock
we were met by the commandment
and the band. Gov. Garry A. Har-
dee, of Florida. being in the party.
we were received with full military
honors. The guard turned out and
stood at attention. As the governor
passed, the bugles sounded the
flourishes prescribed by naval reg
ulations. and the band PLAYED Am
erica. We were then taken out on
another pier to witness an aerial
display. Thirty planes of all types
were sent into the water and air
at once In u honor and never had
any OF us seen such a sight. In
fact 1t is doubtful IL any other
body has been so signally honored.
II was a wonderful sight to see
these machines start spinning
through the water and finally leap
into the air. After flying around
overhead for ten minutes several of
the machines performed stunts such
as looping the loop, Immelman
turns, spirals, whip stalls, tail
spins and the nose dive. II was
q sight that held all OF us and on
all sides were heard EXPLANATIONS
or wonderment and surprise. At
ter this we were taken TO the i'm
mense hangers of the blimps and
one of them made a landing for
us. There are only six blimps
owned by the government and three
OF them are at Pensacola. II GER
talnly was a great treat to see
them flying in the air. We left the
aviation station at 1880 and were
taken for a sail out in the harbor
lpast the old Massachusetts which
was used as a target for the air
planes and short ard railway bat
teries. The old ship now lies a
wreck in "a feet of water. On the
way out we passed several porpoises
frolicing in the water. on return
ing we went to Fort Piokens where
we were served with a chowder
dinner and later we witnessed rifle
practice with sub-calibre guns. Then
we boarded the boat for the home
trip and arrived in Pensacola at
four O'Clock to be met again Nv
automobiles and taken for another
drive around the city. The han
quet at the San Carlos was a fit
Ting close to a wonderful day-a
day that we will long remember
More than 400 sat down 10 the
long tables and the addresses of the
evening were made by Governor
Hardee, Mr., John S. Beard. Gary
a. Williams, editor of the Boonville.
n. Y. Herald, President VIII Wilke
and others. Governor Hardee's ad-
dress was listened TO with the clos
est interest and attention. Omen
ing with a few graceful words of
welcome he passed on to the power
and responsibility of the press. the
problems nov before us, and CON
cluded his remarks with a glowing
picture of Florida and its advant-
ages. His address was greeted
IL