The Carnival Queen of 1903
After a hard-fought voting contest, a local shop worker is crowned Queen for the Military band's upcoming carnival.
Miss Lottie Wuesteney, Queen Lottie I, will rule over the Walla Walla Military band's Mid-summer Carnival, to be held in Walla Walla for one week commencing next Monday. Miss Wuesteney was declared queen this morning when the final count of votes was made at Carnival headquarters in the Jones block, showing that she had received a total of 3428 votes, or a majority of 860 over her nearest competitor, Miss Grace Anglin. Miss Anglin was second with 2293 votes, Miss Adel Morgan of Waitsburg third with 1400 votes and Miss Gertrude Hewitt fourth with 1293 votes. Miss Wuesteney is a popular employe of a down town store, and her election to the honored position was made possible by hard work on the part of her many friends. The final count was to have been made last night but was delayed owing to the non-arrival of the Waitsburg ballot box. The contest which just closed was unusually keen from the start, and a final choice was in doubt until the final count was made.
“The contest which just closed was unusually keen from the start.”
Popularity contests for festivals were significant social events in the early 20th century. This event highlights the era's civic engagement through highly competitive, ballot-based community pageantry.
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