Evening star., 1921-02-27
FIFTY YEARS Ago In
THE STAR.

For two days. February 20 and 81.
1871. Washington gave itself, over to
merriment in %celebra-
The Avenue ton of what was regard
ed as the first step
toward the redemption
Of the Capital and its development as
model American city. That step was the
completion OF the paving Of Pennsyl-
vania avenue. For weeks beforehand
committees had been at work in prepa-
ration. An elaborate program was ar
ranged. The Avenue was profusely dec
GRATED with flags and bunting and
Chinese lanterns. Its surface was swept
as clean as floor. On Monday morn
ing: February 90 the city was crowded
with visitors who arrived by every train
and boat. The hotels were packed and
many OF the people from out of town
were actually without shelter The
crowd rivaled those of Inauguration
times.
The issues Of The Star Of the two
Gays OF the carnival and the day fol-
lowing are filled with the reports OF the
anair. There were horse races On the
Avnrue from I'd to 14th streets. rated as
mile course. After the races the first
day the street was thrown open for
pleasure riding in carriages and on horse
rack. In the afternoon a civic parade
hold the scene. with the fire department
in conspicuous position. Later foot
races, goat races and wheelbarrow races
were run. In the evening fireworks
were displayed on the White lot. At
night a grand ball was held at the Cor
coran Gallery of Art, to open that insti-
tuition and to raise funds for the COM
plet:on Of the Washington Monument
On the second day the particular
feature was masQue carnival on
the Avenue. together with more races
and a tournament. The masQue pa
teresting. with great variety OF cos
TUNES and some especially ingenius
groups and representations.
striking feature OF this parade was
a travesty on the Capital moving prof.
ect, with representation of the Capitol
building in a cart drawn by diminu-
tive donkey and driven by an imperson-
alton OF Reavis, the chief proponent of
the scheme. On the sides of the cart
were signs reading: For st. Louis. via
Lootville. via Foolstown.'
One OF the interesting incidents OF
the carnival, according to The Star
of February 21.
Rean Hickman was the appear
on Horseback. Of Beau" H,ek-
man, a notable figure on the streets
OF the capital fifty and more years
ago. Hickman had become so af-
fiicted with gout that he could not
walk. but he made his appearance on
The Star said:
He didn't go in a carriage. but.
mounting one of John Prices fiery.
untamed sorrels. he cavorted UP and
down the Avenue with cane In one
hand and reins in the other. Those
equity feet that have known every
Avenue brick and hotel tile for ffty
years past vera in a pair OF sttrrups
that no one would ever dream they
could get into. and amid the cheers
of the crowds on the sidewalk Beau
galloped along with his pants up to
his knees and a cigar in his mouth
with nary a Light at an angle OF
IS degrees"
At night on the second day there
were three carnival balls-a full dress
civic ball at Masonic Temple, a mas
querade ball at the National Theater
and a tournament ball at Marini's
Academy.
The Star in its issue of February
% said:
We'll, the carnivars over and We
can sum up results. Deficient in
parts. it was as a whole undeniably
brilliant and effective. The illumi-
nations the first night and the
masquerade procession yesterday were
the redeeming features of the affair.
Another year. with the experience
gained concerning the weak points
of this initiatory festival and by con-
centrating energy and expenditure
upon the features found most attrac-
tive in this experiment a wonderfully
effective display may be made. And
the whole should be compressed into q
single day"