Tag: battle of flowers

An Ostrich-Plumed Hat: Chapter Sixty-Two

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Above, Gathering the Dead in Vera Cruz, Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress

an ostrich-plumed hat

Begin with Chapter One ~ Return to Chapter Sixty-One

Andrew Stevens, April 1914

“Failure to fire a twenty-one-gun salute to the American flag?” fumes Mr. K. “After all the damage to property owned by American interests in Mexico? After all the seized assets?”

The Colonel interrupts. “After the continuous transgressions all along the border from Brownsville to El Paso? Governor Colquitt has begged and begged Washington to let him take action. Secretary Bryan kept telling him to turn the other cheek.”

Mr. K strides back and forth, back and forth. “Now President Wilson,” is using the flimsy excuse of the Tampico incident, tantamount to nothing, to invade Vera Cruz. The seven seized sailors were released as soon as the Mexican commander realized the error of his subordinates. He sent a formal written apology to Admiral Mayo. But the war-hungry admiral demanded the American flag be raised and a twenty-one-gun salute.”

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An Ostrich-Plumed Hat: Chapter Sixty-One

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an ostrich-plumed hat
Begin with Chapter One ~ Return to Chapter Sixty

Hedda Burgemeister, April 1914

Pealing bells from the first mission awaken Hedda from a deep sleep. The discordant clangs are unlike the melodic chimes from the bell towers downtown.

Dr. Herff claims the bells of St. Mark’s on Travis Park were forged from cannon used in the Battle of the Alamo. If only Kaiser Wilhelm would assign such a peaceful purpose to his arsenal.

Like roosters at the crack of dawn, these mission bells call people to worship early. Every Sunday.

She loves Sundays. Sundays are hers. Unlike the rest of the week, she is not confined at home on the off-chance Otto might find an opportunity to escape his increasingly abundant business, social or family obligations. Lately, she does not hear from him for days. Yet he remains adamant she not work.

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An Ostrich-Plumed Hat: Chapter Forty-Six

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fiesta king 1913

Above, King Rex or Selamat, San Antonio Express, April 23, 1913

an ostrich-plumed hat

Begin with Chapter One ~ Return to Chapter Forty-Five

Emma Bentzen Koehler, April 1913

The Colonel slaps Albert Steves on the back. “Mayor, you might as well put a gun to your head tonight and get it over with.”

“Please accept my apologies, Albert,” interjects Sophie. “I believe he meant to offer his congratulations.”

“No,” answers the new Mayor. “My wife agrees with him.”

“It appears,” chimes in Otto, “the job is extremely bad for your health. Five mayors died in office during the past 18 years. The law of averages is not in your favor.”

“Gus only made it a couple of months,” adds the Colonel.

“Drowned in those fiery discussions about the Waterworks,” quips Otto.

“Lost his temper, he did,” adds the Colonel. “Scolded the Aldermen for behaving like a bunch of children playing in the dark.”

“You and Gus,” continues Otto, “are about the same age, so you don’t have long.”

“Stop it,” snaps Emma. “Both of you.”

Continue reading “An Ostrich-Plumed Hat: Chapter Forty-Six” →