VOL. 35. BLOOMS 15 U KG, PA., THURSDAY, MAY 3. M)00 NO. 18 NEW ORLEANS. A Letter From a Bloomsburg Lady Residing In the South Mardl Grastho Event of New Orleans. A Visit to New Orleans Not Complete Until You Have Seen it During the Carnival Season. Just as the Columbia Countv Fair marks an epoch in the history of Bloomsburg, so is Mardi Gras the event of New Orleans. It is true that a visitor to the south has not com pleted his visit until he has seen New Orleans during the Carnival season. Mardi Gras is the French expres sion for "Fat Tuesday" and always occurs the Tuesday before the begin ning of Lent. It corresponds, in date with the Eastern "Pancake Day. This is the close of the winter festivi ties and a special effort is made to have the grand finale. In former years the young people would mask, dress in fantastic cos tumes and go around the streets throwing flour, playing jokes of vari ous kinds and disturbing things gen erally. Because of some damages and trouble which followed the cele bration of the day, the citizens of New Orleans decided that it would be best to have some system about it, conse quently about 1878 an organization was formed ot the business men. A king or Rex was appointed to preside over the festivities and a parade and ball were planned. On the Monday before Mardi Gras the king goes out of the city to the mouth of the river, where he is met by a yacht which brings him to the city wharf. There is deep mystery about it all. The children suppose that like Santa Claus, Rex comes from far off, and to carry out the delusion a wagon full of trunks follows him when he enters the city. He, with all his followers, is masked. He is met at the wharf by the differ ent military organizations of the city, bands and many prominent citizens, who escort him to the City Hall whete the mayor gives him the keys and the full charge ot the city. From that time until the ending of the next day, New Orleans entirely surrenders her self to pleasure. On the morning of Mardi Gras, Kex has a grand procession consist ing of about twenty large floats. In front comes the Boenf Gras or fat beefy a sign of feasting. Following this is Rex float, on which is seated Rex, handsomely attired in royal robes The subject car follows Rex. Lach year some subject is taken such as " Tales of Childhood," "King Arthur's Court," "The Golden Age," or Human Passions." Illustrations of the sub ject come next in order. For ex ample, the subject of Rex parade this year was Terpsichore, or the muse of the dance. The floats represented the Maypole Dance, in which gaily dressed figures danced around a tall ribbon bedecked pole. Dance of the Snowflakes, where snow covered fig ures danced through a snowy forest; Dance of the mosquitoes which ap pealed to a southern heart, for the Kingdom of those musical insects is certainly along the banks of the Miss issippi; the Minuet: Bacchanalian Dance, etc. The figures on the floats are usually masked members of the organisation. As they pass they throw "favors" of candy, paper ribbon etc., and to some special favorite they may throw a large boquet, but unless the young lady is well skilled in the art of guessing she may never know the oonor. At nmht Rex cives a cram ball, where he is joined by his queen- some society belle. Since the organization of Rex, vari ous others have been formed. There are now five organizations which par aue Rex, Proteus, Cornus, Nerus anu Momus. These parades extend over a peripd of five or six days,known - as "The Carnival." The cost of a Parade and ball are about twenty or winy thousand dollars. To a person enterinir New Orlean on Mardi Gras the sicht is bewilder ,ng. All the buildings are festooned with the Rex colors ereen. oranize nd purple, and from thecoatofeveiy One flutters a Masked boys in brilliantly colored costumes are seen here and there through the crowd, and that crowd I kvery spot on the navement is filled and even out in the street, although New Orleans crowds are not disagree- Die ones there is very little lostling and pushing, people are not in a hurry; then at night the buildings are bril liantly decorated with hundreds of in candescent lights and one thinks that the city is a dream of loveliness, es pecially after looking at one of the night processions. Should one remain in the city for any length of time be will still consider it a beautiful quaint old city, for it is built on an entirely different plan from northern cities. Instead of the rows and rows of brick houses, where it is a wonder one does not lose his own residence, there are streets of separate little houses neat and pretty with a little yard around each. The residence street of the ity is St. Charles Avenue where there 13 one succession of beautiful homes. New Orleans is really two cities American and French. The dividing line is Canal street, the business street of the city. Upon crossins: that street from the American city one finds a new country even the names of the streets change and they become very narrow. One s visit is not complete unless he spend a day or two explor- ng the quaint little houses, painted in some delicate color, with shutters to both doors and windows, the curious people and historical buildings. Some of the interesting spots are trench Market, where one may see all nat ionalities and get a cup of delicious Creole coffee; St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest church of any size, the mat erials of which were brought from F.ngland and the place to which An drew Jackson's army repaired before the battle of January eighth, 1815; St. Roch s Chapel, where one goes to re quest a special favor this is the girls' favorite resort and they say if the wish is for a husband it is granted; Ursu line Convent a very old school found ed by the first nuns who came to Louisiana; and so it goes on with duelling grounds, prisons etc ; but the crooked streets, which have no twinges of conscience at turning several corn ers, the .dark little Creole children, the two wheeled mule carts and the dirt, which is everywhere, leave a eeper impression on one than the historic spots. New Orleans was formerly a swamp and even now the children Jhave real wells in their play by digging down a foot or two. For this reason it is very difficult to build a massive build ing, for they sometimes sink as much as a half or whole story. For the same reason, there is no underground burying, except by the Jews, but the cemeteries are filled with beautiful vaults, those who cannot afford vaults are buried in "ovens," which are really openings in a stone wall. To find pretty girls, courtesy, hos pitality, delicious cooking, trench customs and charity towards all, New Orleans is the city to visit, though a northern person will find that there is still a great deal of feeling on that subject which almost broke our union. Inoneoflrvin Russell s poems the negro expresses this feeling admirably. 'Dem folks in de Noif is de heatinest lot 1 Wid all de brass buttons and tixin's dcy got You needn't tole me! dcy all ' dresses in I seed 'em de time 'at Grant's army come froo. Dey libs up the country whar ellyphunts crows. Somewhar 'bout de head ob de ribber, I s'pose: Whar snow keeps a drappin, spring, winter, an' fall, And summer time don't nebber git dar at all. Dev nuts up supplies for us Chnstuns to eat, lJe whiskev. de llouan. ue meal, aim ue meat : Dey's diellle big feeling, mid makes a great fuss, ltut dey cain't get along widout wukin' for us, I wouldn't be dem, not fur all you c'u'd gib; Dey nebber taste 'possum as long as (ley lilI Dey w'u'd't know gumbo, ef put in dey mouf Why don't dey sell out an' come to de Souf ? Hut lawsy! dey's ign'ant as ign'an) can be An' ain't got de 'presence ob min' fur to see Dat ol' Maisissippi's jes ober de fence. Dat runs aroun' hebben's sarcumferymence!" A nnthpr home has been rendered sad and gloomy by a visitation of the -., .1 all..! pale charger. Uertna Aiuenson, ugeu nearly nineteen years, a daughter of Bartley Albertson, after an illness of only a few days, .died at the home of her parents, at the Rohrsburg Hotel, Friday morning. The deceased was a very promising young lady, highly esteemed, and admired by all who knew her, and why she should be called away so early in life, is beyond comprehension of man. The funeral took place on Sunday, with interment in the Rohrsburg cemetery. C. W. Eckman, of Millville, agent for cream separators, has been pro moted. He will have his headquar ters at Sunbury hereafter, and will have seventeen counties as his terri tory, with several sub-agents under him. FOREST FIB Raging All Overthe State-Valuable Lumber Lands Being Dostroyed-Losses Al most Inestimable. In Many Sections People Are Compelled to Fight the Des tructive Element in Order to Save Their Homes. Fires, the most disastrous which have visited the forests of Pennsyl vania, for many years, are raging all over the mountains, and timbered hills, and on the level too, in every section of the State. The Catawissa mountain on the south side has been burning fiercely since Saturday, and the loss will be heavy. From a subscriber at Shickshinny we are informed that the Amies on the hills thereabouts are spreading rapidly and property to the value of thousands of dollars is being consum ed. Forest fires are menacing valuable property near South Williamsport and a large force of men are working to prevent the spread of the flames. The Sulphur Springs Hotel is in danger. The town of Waterville, twenty-five miles northwest of Williamsport, is surrounded by fires. The mountain tire near Hamburg, raging nearly a week is still unexting uished. Alter traversing over the entire mountain side for a distance of twelve miles it is now approaching a gap in which the village of Port Clin ton is located. For the last few day the forest fires have been very destructive, and are spreading very rapidilyon every moun tain in Center county, although hun dreds of men have been out fighting, night and day. The towns of Lemont at the end of Nittany Mountain, and Scotia, in the lower barrens, are in great danger. The entire territory of the Nittany Rod and Gun preserves is threatened. On the Seven Moun tains, between Potter's Mills and Mil roy, there is nothing but one sheet of flames, and thus all travel and com munication have been cut off. Forest fires are raging all around Lewisburg. The town is full of smoke. Twenty men, who were fighting a fire below town, were hemmed in by the flames Tuesday night and had to fight their way out. A hundred men fought the flames in Lewis township all day Wednesday, in order to save the large Orwig mill. Frank Nogle, a Lewis burg jeweler, who was on a fishing ex pcdition,had a hair-raising experience, being compelled to drive for his life through the flames. Much valuable timber and many fences and small buildings have been burned. The fire on the mountains of Mon roe and Pike county is of extensive proportions. Fifty men spent Sunday fiahting the flames near Egypt Mills, where they destroyed the Broadhead tract of timber. It is thought the flames were started by some person carelessly dropping a lighted match. Forest fires crept within ten feet of Cresmont Inn, the new hotel being erected at Eaglesmere at a cost of $50,000. The popular resort is sur founded by fire. A large force of men are carrying water from the lake to save the buildings. Forest tires were started on the mountain, near Bear Creek, Luzerne County, by incendiaries. Albert Lewis, who owns valuable timberlands in the vicinity, put a large force of men to work, and the fire was finally extinguished. Mr. Lewis offers a re ward of $300 for the arrest of the incendiaries. A Worthy Promotion. General Superintendent I. A Sweitrard. of the Philadelphia & Read n ' - 1 ins Railway Company, has aooointed Tohn S. Gilbert as Chief Clerk of his department. The appointment fills the vacancy caused by the death of the late Charles j. Mcuougaii. Mr. Gilbert entered the T.eading service in 1883 in the Division Engineer's of fice in Catawissa, and in 1880 lett the Catawissa Division Superintendent's office to take up the work of assistant to the Chief Clerk in the General Superintendent a oflice in this city. Philadelphia Telegraph. Mr. unpen 8 manv inends in Blobmsburg, are glad to hear of his 1 'I. l' ... 1 promotion, anu wish mm continueu prosperity. FOUND LEAD IN BED. William Giger, who for many years past has conducted what is known as the Railioad House, located at the corner of East and Sixth streets, this town, was found dead in bed Tuesday morning. He retired at his usual time, about half past ten Monday night, without making any complaint ol feeling unwell. It had been his wont for years past to be the firs', up in the morning. Tuesday morning, however, he was not heard to arise, and his brother, thinking that he had overslept himself, went upstairs to awaken him. He opened thj door and discovered his lifeless body lying in a natural position on the bed. To all appearances there had been no suffering. William Giger, hal he lived 'till the coming Julv, would have been sixty- four years of age. He was born July 15th, 1 S3 1, and has resi led in Blooms burg for nearly thirty years. He leaves to survive a wife and nine chil dren, all of whom reside here, with the exception of Mrs Peter Kehoe, who is iiving in Wilkes-Barre. The funeral services will be con ducted at the house to-morrow (Fri day) morning, at ten o'clock, and will be in charge of Rev. J. D. Thomas, of the Reformed Church. Brennan Cain. The first wedding celebrated in St. Ignatius' Church, Centralia, since the passing of lenten season, was consu inated Monday morning, when Mr. John Brennan, a prominent Mt. Car- mel young man, led Miss Annie Cain, a popular young lady of Centralia, to Hymen s altar, and there took the vow which made them forever one. Rev. T. W. Hayes officiated, and the ceremony took place at seven o'clock, many friends of the contracting par ties being present. After the ceremony a reception was held at the bride's home and the day and evening was merrily whiled away. The bride re ceived many valuable and useful pres ents. Governor William A. Stone and a party, including Auditor General Mc- Cauley, Dr. J. T. Rothrock, State forestry Commissioner, and Mr. E. C. Gerwig, Secretary to the Governor, arrived in Bloomsburg on a fishing ex pedition, on the 2:30 train Monday afternoon. They immediately boarded the B. & S. train for Jamison City, and from there will go to Colonel R. B. Rickett s place,at Ganoga Lake. The party will whip the famous streams in that region for several days. The party was joined here by A. Z. Schoch, Joseph Ratti, L. E. Waller, Samuel Wigfall, Capt. H. J. Conner, C. W. McKelvy, and James C. Brown. The train which conveyed them to Jamison City was a special and was in charge of Superintendent, D, W. Campbell. Returning the Bloomsburg contingent stopped off at Orangeville and partook of the hospitality of Land lord b. L. Ricketts. Druggist Armstrong has just placed a fine glass counter and show case in his drug store on Broadway, which is not only a thing of beauty, but a great convenience, both to the store and the customer. The soda fountain is now in full blast and dispenses the most delicious ice cream sodas in town. Milton Standard. Mr. Armstrong is a Bloomsburg boy and conducted James H. Mer cer's drug store during the life of the latter's commission as postmaster from 1892 to I896. Work on the Montour-Columbia Electric Railroad, which will connect Danville, Riverside, Bloomsburg, Espy, Berwick and Nescopeck, will begin shortly. The surveys have been made and bids for its construc tion are being invited. Messrs. B. F. Meyers, Ellis F. Mumnu and M. F. D. Scanlan, of this city, are largely interested in the road. Jlarrisburg Telegraph. It was reported on the street Sat urday evening that a serious accident had occurred at Rupert, and that Calvin Demott, of near Eyersgrove, had been killed. The rumor proved false. The story was wholly unjusti fiable, as there wasn't a sign of an ac cident. F. D. Dentler increased his lead for the prize offered by the Wheel men, at the party at the Club House Tuesday night, winning 17 out of a possible 22 games. William B. Taylor has sold bis bottling works to William II. Gil more. The purchaser has already taken charge. GOOD CLOTHES GAIN Everywhere. "You'll take into consideration your spring looks'' at once if you've that enviable characteristic "up-to-dateness." BEIST. CKEZDIDIISrGS-.. fjCjjg1 Come in and see us we'll treat you right. The Leader Department Store. Springs. Before the advance in prices we placed an order for springs. This was nearly a year ago. They are all in 150 of them and we are willing to give you the benefit of our early buy ing. The sizes are 4x4 ft., and 4xG ft, full length. In fact, size to fit any ted. Our special leader is a full- sized spring, woven wire top, $2.20. It would be cheap at $2.7o- Ave can give you a coiled spring, full size.for $2.50. Higher prices tor better goods. KMVire Brussels, the 60c. kind. WOOL VELVET CARPETS, Hade, Laid and Lined, 90 cts. Haveonly 100 Yds. Left. Furniture. It is' nrobablv useless to tell St you that our stock of furniture is new aiid fresh. Every dealer tella you that. We wish we could talk to you personally, right in our rooms, with the furniture before you. We could show you wherein is the difference between our stock and that quoted at lower prices. We aim first at quality. We don't want the stuff to fall apart within the first month after you get it. We carry furniture for every room from the kitchen chair, at 50c. apiece, to a dining room table at $30. Also, all between. THE LEADER ST0RE,C0 4TH & MARKET Good Dressers You will not see any men dressed as well as the men who wear Hart, Schaffner & Marx suits and top coats. The nobby style and neat fit of these clothes recom mend them to every man who knows what good clothes are and who likes to wear the best. They're the kind adver tised in the leading maga zines and worn by good dressers everywhere. PRESTIGE Hat tresses. We are sorry to say that we have a larger stock of mat tresses than any other store in town. We can hardly understand how it was done. We placed an order for 150 and received 300. Manufacturer says we gave an order for this many, but our memorandum showed only 150. However, we kept them at a price. From $2.50 to $10.00 the prices run, and if you need a mattress come and make us an offer. The stock must go down to normal. Onyx Carpets, 20c. Just Left, 50 Yards Furniture. Here are a few things we 'want to close out : DINERS. They were $8. We will eell what we have of them tor $G a set. We have a heavy box diner, which we sold regularly for $14.00 the set. Just a few left, and they will go for $9.00. We have a full-sized white enamel bed, which we have been selling for $8.00. We will sell a dozen of them at $0.50 apiece. And you know white beds are white beds in these days of high prices. i HW1 KWW&XXP n I!
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers