Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1879-04-23

A BALL A QUARTER OF A NILE
BELOW THE SURFACE.

MVW OoptaIu anu ArSs Ca10vaQ
Entertained q Party Of Friends
at the New York Mine-A De.
lIghtful Success -Some Of Those
Who Were There.
Saturday night last Captain Matt.
Canavan, Superintendent of the New
York mine, gave reception to host
Of his friends at bis home, in lower
Gold Hill, which was, everything
considered, the most unique and
novel affair of the kind which ever
took place upon the Comstock.
Those who know the jolly, good
natured Captain and his estimable
wife are not at all surprised that they
should originate and make q success
full reality Of the wonderful novelty
of dance quarter Of q mile un-
derground.
Invitations had been extended to
many people in Virginia, Carson,
Gold Hill and this city, and early in
the evening the Captains cheerful
home was thrown open for the recep-
ton of his guests. But they did not
care to enjoy the luxuries of his COM
Portable parlor and drawing room
when even richer treat was offered
them. Six at = time the ladies and
gentlemen Of the party were dropped
down the shaft under the watchful
guidance of Foreman Ike Frock.
There was but one thing that de-
tracted from the pleasure of the trip
up and down the shaft-the lighted
lantern which the foreman persisted
in carrying in spite of the earnest
appeals Of the young ladies, who
were awake to the blessings of dark
ness in railroad tunnels aud the like.
The ladies, with their usual timidity,
chung to their partners with an iron
grip that is peculiar tn drowning men
in quest OF struggling strAws. No
accident occurred.
IN THE UNDERGROUND BALLROo
The station where the ball was
given is at q point where the new in
cline tskes it's initial, 1040 feet below
the surface. 1t is quite large apart
ment, being thirty feet in length,
fourteen feet in width, and thirty four
feet In highth next to the shaft, tho
roof sloping to the east at an angle
Of forty degrees. This station is said
to be the largest on the lode, at the
same time that the timbering is the
best specimen Of mining timbering
to be found anywhere, the same be-
ing due to B. F. Hazletine, the chief
carpenter Of the mine. The apart.
ment was brilliantly lighted up with
locomotive headlights, and . floor
had been laid, over which q canvas
was spread, making a splendid sur
face for dancing. Nothing seemed
wanting that might contribute to the
comfort and convenience of the party.
Seats, rude it 10 true, lined the sides,
and q stand for the musicians was
found In q niche at the east end. A
full.fedgsd orchestra furnished music
which sounded only the more exqui-
site for the echoes that revcrberated
from the labyrinth OF drifts, tunnels,
and shaft. Three sets Of dancers
were easily accommodated at the
same time. The ventilation WAS a.
perfect ~ could be expected at that
depth. The heat was hut moderate,
but the gentlemen were only re-
strained from taking of their coats
by due sense of propriety. The
ladies, under the circumstance, had
not come dressed in the fashionable
attire of the day; but were the enter
tainment to DO repeated they would
doubtless take no such precaution,
for the crowded ballroom of the
upper world 10 no more satisfactory
hall for fashionable party than this
subtcrranean cavern. At the conclu-
sion Of the quadrilles there was q
rush for tho incline, down which .
flight of stairs two hundred feet in
length led to the lowest point of the
mine, where the miners we're at work.
BACK TO THE SURFACE.
BY midnight the merry-makers had
had a surfeit of underground gayety,
and stampede was made for the