Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-23
HAPPY PAGEANT CROWDS LINE
STREETS FOR OPENING DAY
All Richmond Augmented by Thousands From Every
Section of State, Turns Ont for One Of Biggest
Gala Days City Has Experienced

Richmond turned out almost 10 a
man yesterday to welcome in the
great week Of the pageant. So gem
eronS was tho outpourinG of the
Iopulace that one Nigh; have thought
general holiday. 1t w-s not a
holiday. however. but Just a TYPICAL
patriotic display Of enthusiasm. The
crowds began 10 gather early
Thousands who poured into the city
rom distant points. located their
rooms. deposited all excess baggage
and imm ediateiy Joined the throngs
that already lined the streets. from,
Capitol Square TO far beyond Monroe
Park.
II was cood-na;ured crowd
Many who had felt dubious about tho
success OF the holiday. were aston
ished at the general aspect Of things.
clouds that gathered at intervals
during the coronation exercises
and the parade. but lon, a
kaleidoscope appearance to the
scene, as the sunbeams played at
moments over the decorations OF flags
and bunting. The merry voices OF
children added to the gayety. and
when the many bands of music be-
gan to assemble and tune up" the
merriment and the expectation Of the
crowds arose 10 their highest pitch.
Crowds Scorn Obstacles.
At the Capitol. all State officials
helped get things In shape for the
appearance of the Governor, the
Mayor and the queen Of tho pageant.
Here. there and everywhere. were
officials and former officials. busil!'
ushcring strangers who were en-
titled to places on the portico. Md
above them all loomed officially.
Private Secretary rarke i. Deans.
wh" successfully handled the gath
cring thrones as they slipped through
tine guarded doors, and found them
selves in the presence OF ohicia ldom.
The crowds mad some trouble in pass
ing the basement doors, but they let
no little obstacles like Il Capitol
square policeman. or gallery door
keeper foil them in their plans.
From point Of vantage on the
south porticO thousands could be seen
crowding through the gates ~ his
toric Capitol Square. They came
from every direction, from south
from east. from north ana from west.
By IL o'clock the vast space OF green
below the portico, and extending ont
to Ninth Street and down to the
Franklin Street entrance was filled
with humanity-ail ages. from infant
in arms to grandfather of ~. They
came prepared III see 1t ali-thc
browning of VirEinias queen OF the
pageant. and the big military spec
taclr. The atmosphere was neither
too warm nor too cool. Fleeing clouds
kept the suns rays at distance. but
the jostling crowds lined up along
the streets from Ninth and Grace
Streets to Allen Avenue. on both sides
VI the street. kept one another
warm" as they patiently awaited
the coming Of the parade.
M Disorder During Dny.
Immediately upon the start of the
parade out Grace Street. "A great
tbrong pushed Itself Into the space
at the, Ninth Street corner. Their,
was no disorder. hu; big traffic Off
GERS had some difficulty in untan-
CLING the masses as they sought II
glimpse of the new queen" and the
Governor. The crowd surgcd into
Grace Street. and at every corner
from the beginning. in front OF St
Pauls Church, to SECOND Street,
where the parade turned Into Frank
lin the crowds grew denser and gay
or. Boy Scouts did their bit, anu
what they did was a-plenty, .or not
an incident tending to mar the order
OF the occasion arose.
Traffic regulations were strictly oh
served. Vehicles OF all kinds were
kept out of tho line OF march. wni!c
at convenient points the side streets
were opened TO clear them Of con-