Extracted text
Source-led transcription, lightly normalized from the cited page scans; historical claims remain attributed to The Flaming Sword.
The Editor of the Ft. Myers Press Describes the Festivities at Estero.
Carriages, buggies, surries, etc., lined the road to Estero, on Monday afternoon and evening, each vehicle filled with ladies and gentlemen from Fort Myers en route to the Koreshan Unity, to witness the “Spring Festival” of these people. In all there were nearly fifty persons in the party that went from Fort Myers, without doubt the largest party that ever went that distance by team from Fort Myers. Incidentally it was a display of livery outfits that would have done credit to Tampa, for Fort Myers people insist on having only first class turnouts.
Many of the county site delegation had never been to the new city being built by the Koreshan Unity, and arrived there in time to see the grounds by daylight. Their first view was a very pleasant one, as everything about the place had a holiday appearance. The walks, terraces, pretty garden plats, bridges, etc., were all admired, and to those who had been thereon previous occasions, great progress with the work was noted. Dr. Teed, the head of the Unity, and many of the officials were on hand to explain the plans of the Unity, chief of the ground plans being a natural curve of the pretty Estero Creek, which is to be used as the basis for the building of an out-door amphitheatre, with the pretty stream between the audience and a great out-door stage, which is to face this amphitheatre on the opposite banks. The complete plans of this scheme call for the installation of a system of telephones to carry the voices on the stage to the ears of the audience, who will witness the scenes of the plays to be produced.
The members of the Koreshan Unity were nearly all attired in white suits, and as they moved about the grounds the effect was a very pretty one to the visitors.
After a walk through the grounds, a visit to the well-equipped printing office was taken, where the latest improved machinery for turning out book and job printing was shown— this being probably one of the best equipped book printing establishments in the State. The machine shops and other enterprises were also shown to the visitors.
At 6 o’clock an excellent supper was served, of which many of the Ft. Myers people partook. The large dining room was filled with nearly two hundred members of the Unity, besides a score of visitors, but the service was excellent, and the wants of everyone were attended to promptly by young ladies who waited on the tables.
A number of new buildings have been erected by the Unity lately, chief of these being a handsome and ornate edifice to be known as the Art Building. In this building the evening exercises were held. An afternoon program had previously been carried out. At 7:30 p. m. this building was well filled with spectators. Then came the procession of the members of the Unity, all attired in picturesque costumes, to conform in some degree with their positions in the Unity. The excellent orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. Harry Boomer, played Pryor’s march, “ On Jersey Shore.” The marshal headed the parade, attired in a handsome costume of white from head to foot. He was followed by the guards with their great battle-axes. Then came the Mayor of the city carrying the keys of the city and tokens of love. He was also handsomely attired in a well-fitting costume of red. There was all the pomp and display usually attending royalty on occasions of state; but to many of the audience it was not quite clear whether this was intended as a serious function, or on the order of a burlesque or comic opera.
It was noted that there was a stage at one end of the building covered with a canopy, over which was inscribed a motto in Hebrew characters, while at the opposite end was a canopy under which were three great seats arranged as a throne. All about the walls were hung mottoes in Latin.
After the main body of those composing the procession had found seats there was a minute’s wait. Then came a pretty little flower girl, and immediately following her came Victoria Gratia, surrounded by her maids in waiting. She was richly gowned, the long train of the skirt being carried by the pages as she advanced to the throne with stately step and took the center seat. The Mayor now stepped forward facing the queen— for while she is not thus styled, the homage paid her was of that regal style that makes the term a fitting one— in a neat speech presented to her the keys of the City of Estero, and the tokens of love from her people. We might add here that this Festival was in honor of Victoria Gratia’s birthday anniversary. Dr. Cyrus Teed walked in unattended, with a bright red mantle covering one shoulder, and took a seat at the right of Madame Victoria.
The program was now taken up, consisting of musical numbers and recitations. The orchestra performed better than it had ever done before, and the rendition of the comic operas, “ Babes in Toyland,” “ Foxy Quiller” and “ Red Feather,” were greatly enjoyed. The vocal duet “ Ruth and Boaz,” by Annie Ray Andrews and Carlton Case, was well rendered and highly appreciated. The “ Dance of the Frogs,” in which eight little boys and girls were rigged up in suits representing frogs, proved very amusing as they went through their drill with Japanese umbrellas. The string quartette showed the ability of the fine performers in high classic music. The dance, ‘ ‘Rustling Spring,” in which seven young ladies, led by Miss Imogene Bubbett, took part, was a graceful performance. Mrs. Maude Redding delighted all with her contralto solo, and Mr. Harry Boomer played a fantasia on the cornet that showed his abilities on that instrument to advantage. Mr. Geo. Hunt figured prominently in the Peripatetic Minstrel Troupe, and surprised his Fort Myers friends by his vocal abilities. At the close of the program a reception was held by Victoria Gratia.—Ft. Myers (Fla.) Press, April 13, 1905.
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Source: The Flaming Sword, Vol. 18, No. 46 (25 Apr 1905), PDF pp. 13–14.
The Flaming Sword · Vol. 18, No. 46 · 25 Apr 1905 · PDF pp. 13–14