The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-01-20
OPENING OF BANCROFT HALL.

Solomon was right when he said there was
time to dance. The opening Of Bancroft
hall last night was n splendid time for such
diversion, and above seventy-five couples
availed themselves Of the splendid opportuni-
ty. The hall was well lighted, and when the
bands, composed Of Messrs. Barnum and Bur-
ton, of Topeka, and Waite's quartette OF in
struments of Emporia, struck the first notes
Of the evening, the eager feet of eighteen
couples responded to the call and, headed by
the genial, happy countenance Of Major L. p.
Bancroft and his lady, joined in the introduce
tory march. The party gradually enlarged
and by ten o'clock the largehoor was thronged
with youth, beauty and fashion. Under the
efficient direction Of the floor managers, the
well-arranged programme was carried out
with but little variation, and the sets put
upon the door promptly and judiciously.
Eleven sets could have danced at one time,
but there were not so many on the floor At one
time during our stay, and the solek with mu-
sic In them were accommodated with ample
space TO "spread" themselves in all the evolu-
tions Of the "giddy dance"
In the company we saw but few persons
from . distance. There were but two or three
from Topeka, owing 10 the failure, as we I'M
derstood, Of the gentleman who received the
invitations to distribute them. Several OF the
neighboring towns in the valley were repre-
sented by some OF the best dancers on the
floor. The toilets OF large number Of ladies
were most beautiful and becoming, but owing
to our limited acquaintance a particular per-
sonal description Of any Of them we do not
consider In order, and hope our discretion
will receive the commendation Of the ladies
themselves.
The music was excellent, and full pow erful
enough to time the responding feet IN all parts
OF the room, while the enhancing vibrations
were soft and sweet enough to awake respon-
sive thrills in 'Eharps Of thousand strings,''i1
any such were there, wherein the winds o.
popular pleasure had long ceased to play
(By the way, those who are aspiring to n sub.
lection OF their pedicular phalanges to the re-
quirements OF Terpsichorean science, will he
gratified to learn that Prof. E. E. Barnum, Of
the Topeka band, contemplates coming to En-
poria to get up dancing school. He is now
giving such lessons in Topeka, LeaYenworth
and other cities Of the State, and is withal :
pleasant gentleman and a competent teacher o
| the art.)
In one OF the dressing rooms at the side o
the commodious stage, a cookstove had beer
set up, and was In full blast during the enter
tainment; and behind the orchestra, on thu
stage, on six tables, the refreshments wer'
| served, whenever called for, by those populal
restaurateurs, Morris & Bottger. The ia
oysters were served up In the most unexcep
tionable style and sayory condition, in what
ever shape desired, while their cold hams
turkeys, chickens, etc, were all "don
brown;'' their ice creams and fruits were de
licious, and the tea and coffee as rich an
good as any mans mother ever made. Thes
gentlemen acquitted themselves handsomely
and were among the most popular Of any i
the house.
Throughout the entertainment, the counts
nance Of the courteous and ubiquitous prcpr
etor Of the building, Major Z. p. Bancroft. e.
pressed the pleasure he felt In the grand sus
cess OF the occasion. There was no disordt
OF any kind, but harmony and excellent goo
feeling were manifested from the opening
the ball, until in the ''wee Sma' hours ayaI
the twa," the programme closed.
} We hope that the large and beautiful ha
, thus AnspicioVsly "opened," may be the seer
OF many such happy occasions In time
come. and that Major Bancroft may be RICH
J rewarded for his enterprise and public spiE
displayed in providing such a commodicu
{ weH-arranged and neatly furnished hall q
the entertAinment AZ our citizens.