The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-08-22


toilets, elegance and dazzling wsmanly beauty,
it was tho grandest affair of the sort ever wit
messed in this city.
Ottawa, as is well known, previous to the
erection Of the Clifton, was noted for its miser.
able hotel accommodations. When year ago,
therefore, company was organized for the erec-
ton OF the present building, all hailed with
delight the prospect that our rsproach was to be
wiped out and we should have hotel of dimen.
sions and elegance equal to our wants and prom.
inence as an inland city, and since the first stone
was laid Of the Clifton, our people had looked
forward with glowing anticipations to the grand
opening party, the realization of which was en-
joyed on Thursday evening
The building was finished about the lst of
July. and placed under charge of Mr.. LEWIS
HOWARD, of Preeport, Ill., who from that day
70 about 18th inst, was occupied in getting it
| ready for occupancy, furnishing it with rich.
ness and elegance exceeded by few hotels in the
country.
Being all in readiness, the arrangements for
the grand opening party were placed in the hands
of the leading gentlemen of our city, who spared
no pains to make it success, and whose indefat-
igable eIertions eliminated in the superb enter
tainment of Thursday evening.
The party as before hinteA had been on the
taps really for year past, and particularly since
the 18th inst, had the ladies Of Ottawa land the
gentleman too, in fact been intensely excited
over the coming affair and when the morning
of the goth broke cold and cloudy, with indica-
tions OF rain, many heart was sad and many an
eye moist with disappointment, until the genial
sunshine of the afternoon dispelled the gloom as
effectually as it did the clouds in the sky; and
when evening came with its bright stars and in.
vigorating air, all were gay and happy.
| We arrived at the scene Of festivities about 9
o'clock, and found some six hundred people con-
gregated on the sidewalk opposite the hotel,
drawn by curiosity, reminding one of the crowd
about An opera house on the first appearance of a
( favorite prima donna. Inside only about 100, al
tho hour was early. Soon, however, the rumblins
Of the carriages grew moro continuous, and by
ten o'clock the assembly was not less than fou,
hundred embracing the elite of Ottawa and 8
number Of distinguished strangers, 90 to speak
but really old friends, as we can say in truth
from abroad. Among them We cannot forbea,
mentioning Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. c. Stearne and
family, Mr.. and Mrs. H. Wheeler, Mr. Burleigh
Mrs Phelps, Mr.. Ed. C. and Mis-. Kate Allen
Mr.. W. o. Park and Mr.. Geo. Adams all o,
Chicago; Mr.. and Mrs. r. E. Goodell and thei,
lovely family, Of Springfield Mr.. and Mrs Hale
Mrs. Steele, Mrs. Cagwin and Miss McRoberts,
of Joliet; Mrs. Boyer, Of Lockport, and Mis-.
Gary, of Milwaukee.
We must be excused from naming the nota.
bilities Of Ottawa who were present, for the list
would embrace nearly all our leading citizens
and thus extend beyond our limits, while tc
select names would be inviduous.
The festivities opened at about 91S o'clock will
music by the Great Western Light Guard Band
of Chicago, the dining hall, which was cleared
for the occasion, filling rapidly with the happy
pleasure seekers eager to engage in the ga,
dance. AS we entered the hall about 10 o'clock
the sight was truly dazzling The superb toilet
and exquisite beauty of the ladies, seen as the,
fitted through the evolutons of the quadrille
were brilliant in the highest degree and our poo
pen halts in the attempt at describing particu
larly are we fearful of blank failure in al
attempt to describe some of the toilets of the
ladies, as in this task we have the additional
difficulty of choosing few from list that wer
all equally elegant and beautiful
Mrs J. d. C--n, Of Ottawa wore black vel
vet dress, worry rich in texture, low corsaye snt
train, with point lace trimming of exquisit
quality, with an elegant lace shawl GRACEFUL,
worn, and hair artistically arranged and orna
mented with natural fowers,-an elegant toilet
worn with grace and dignity.
Mrs. r. Z. G--l, of Springfield, wore beau
tiful silk, light green in color, with green sati,
trimming, with elegant ornaments in the hair
all in pleasant keeping with her graceful an
elegant manner. Her three children, dresse
in light purple, short, gOred and low, with peas
ant waist, and hair flowing in long, wavy tresse
down their back, were much admired for thei
: beautiful appearance, pleasant manners an
graceful dancing. They were particularly nj
l ticed in the waltz, which they executed wit
s precision and grace
y Miss C---y, OF milwaukee, dressed in whit
Q tarleton, low oorsage and train, with white sill
trimming and white satin peplum, with tasteful
hair ornaments, attracted much attention by he
n beautiful appearance and graceful dancing.
J, Mrs. C---y, of Ottawa, wore black tarleta'
o with gold spangles, pulled corsago low, wit
0 train, over.dress Of the Same material black sas
with gold tassels pendant and gold hair orn