San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-26

IOL AlONtls. HAS
never been such display of beauty in
the city of San Antonio, where each
lyear the victory of a band of Texas
heroes is celebrated with a procession
that is famous for its color and ro-
mantle conception. As, the lovely
flower-trimmed floats. laden with
beautiful faces and bright eyes of little
children, passed the gay old Alamo,
cradle of Texas liberty. one more
triumph of happiness and prosperity
was added TO the shrine that inspired
the freedom commemorated by the Bat
tie of Flowers parade.
There was glow of romance on the
Battle of Flowers parade this year. as
the procession of victory pointed to-
ward not only a statewide celebration
of Texas event. but also toward a
broader. more international aspect. In
one entry, that of the International In
stitute of the Young Women's Chris
tian Association, there were fourteen
nations represented by as many ma
tives of those countries, and several
of the most handsome floats were en-.
tered by citizens of other nations.
Three beautiful private entries came
from Mexico, and helped to add TO the
harmony of spirit that seemed pre-
dominant in the parade.
Confederate Veterans.
Led by sun-tanned veterans of many
battles. representing men whose hero
ism helped TO win the World War and
whose ideals and flag must preserve
the integrity of America, the Battle of
Flowers parade was heralded by
prancing horses. marching soldiers.
and by men on artillery pieces. Mill
tary bands playing inspiring music
and measuring the tramp, tramp Of
the advance guard, lent an aroma of
drama TO the pageant that represents
the greatest military victory in the
history of Texas.
In between the army units and the
section of royalty came the floats and
decorated automobiles, the carloads of
Confederate Veterans and of pioneer
founders of the Texas republic; and
everywhere, on every float and in
every car. there were children and
flowers. The schools Of San Antonio
had a splendid representation. and the
first prize from the Battle of Flowers
Association was awarded Our Lady of
the Lake College. which was a float
containing children in patriotic dress.
This prize was $50 in cash. Second
prize for the historical section of the
'parade from the Battle of Flowers was
,given TO the Incarnate Word College.
Santa Rosa Infirmary's flat was
awarded first prize, $50 in cash. by
the Fiesta Association for the prettiesl
float. and the Barnard +. Bee Chap
tier United Daughters of the Confed-
eracy was given second place in this
lclass.
Private entries were considered es-
pecially pretty this year. the theme of
each being flowers and children in
abundance. Mrs. B. Perry. 261 Post
avenue, was given first prize of $50
for the prettiest car in this section,
and Mrs. Adolf Wagner. 30 Guenther
street. was awarded second place.
Represent Fourteen Nations.
Because no provision was made by
the Battle of Flowers Association and
the Fiesta Association for entries
other than floats and decorated auto
mobiles the cavalcade Of the Interna-
tional Institute was not given n prize.
but was awarded special mention. This
entry was remarkable for the fact that
it represented fourteen foreign ma
tons, each nation being represented
| by n native of that country dressed in
typical garb and riding her burro as
| flower-vendor.
The Court of Beauty and Chivalry
was especially beautiful in the Battle
of Flowers parade this year, as each
duchess was enthroned on royal dais
in a setting typical of her role in the
court. The theme followed the scheme
Of the coronation, each float in the
| fourteen entries representing some
scene that might have been in the
royal castles of England during the
reign of Richard the Third.
Miss Lorraine Bertrand as the
Duchess of Camelot led the procession
of royalty, her float representing a
rock bound scene near the famous cas-
tile. The color scheme was purple,
gold and tan. worked out in pansies
and age-old rocks.
I The Duchess of Canterbury, Miss
Mildred Wilson. rode in float repre-
senting a garden scene in the famous
castle, with hollyhocks in long pink
and purple sprays reaching up TO the
rustic throne.
One of the most gorgeous floats was
that of the Duchess of Caerlisle. whose
float represented vineyard scene in
Hampton Court. Rich clusters of pur-
pie grapes hung from the throne and
about its sides. and a great cluster of
of the purple fruit made a royal set
ting for the duchess, who was Miss
Ada Maverick.
Duchess Of Salisbury.
Miss Jess Edwards as the Duchess
of Salisbury was enthroned on rock
built dais on seacoast, with tiger
lilies growing about her feet and on
the pinnacle of the handsome throne.
The Duchess of Astolat, Miss Bess
Spears, sat in the rose terrace OF her
castle. with a bower of roses hanging
their colorful blossoms over the throne
and down the sides of the float. :.
Tulips grew in the pretty garden OF
the Duchess of York. Miss Bonnie
Venable. where a garden scene iron
the Castle Of York was reproduced.
Miss Eleanor Stribling. Duchess OF
Arimathea. was enthroned amidst col
orful petunias. while the Duchess oil
Carmalide. Miss Marion Gaines, had
coast scene for her float, with the
geranium predominating. Il
One of the most apDlauded ana
pretticst floats for the court was that
of the Duchess of Shalott. Miss Ma
ria TAYLOR. who rode in the famous
tabled boat of the Lady of Shalott.
Garlands of roses growing in the
water scene made the float colorful as
well as unidue.
Miss Helena Buss. Duchess OF the
House. rode on a float representing
the turret of Avalon, surroHnded by !
a field of dazzling goldenrod. Miss
Marian Milburn, Duchess of the
House of Milburn. rode on the draw |
bridge of that castle. with gladiators
and dragons in gold effectively painted
on the black background.