The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-01-24
THE BALL oF,CoF1ELD's BATTERY G.

Ject.
THE BALL OF CoF1ELD's BATTERY c.
On Thursday night Of the present week
there was a grand fancy dress and mill
tary, ball given by Cofelds Battery C,
Regiment Orleans Artillery, at Phoenix
Hall. 1t was the intention to have given
the ball in the Hall of Ascension Hook
and Ladder Company, but after consul
tation, the committee Of arrangements
were of opinion that owing to the gem
eral favor and appreciation with which
the invitations were received, that it
would not accommodate the multitude
which was likely to assemble, so they
decided to use the Phoenix Hall instead,
it being larger and more conlmodious.
At o'clock the officers and members of
the battery appeared ut the hall, in full
uniform, took possession, and placed a
guard at each door of the building. The
ball room was neatly, tidily and taste
fully decorated. From the head of the
stairway, in all its pristine glory
and grandeur, oscillated in the
passing breeze, the glorious stripes of
the Star Spangled Banner. On either
side Of the room, suspended by little
straps, were three rows Of crossed and
brightly polished rifles, to each Of which
was attached Il bristling and glistening
bayonet which sparkled in the glowing
lamplight like moonbeams on ripping
sea. Around these, in tasteful order were
arranged numerous miniature flags. Just
above the stage occupied by the orches-
ira, was another cross Of rifles, similar to
the others, with but single exception,
they being surmounted by two large
gilt letters, &C. c." dgnoting Cofeld
Guards. Taken altogether it was truly
a beautiful and poetic sight, one we'll
calculated to charm and entrance, and
to fill the beholder with amazement and
admiration. We believe our worthy
towns,nan, Mr.. II. C. CRUDE, is entitled
to the credit for the ornamental
ton. At an early hour the guests
began to assemble, and in q short time
the spacious hall was very nearly filled
with lovely, beautiful, charming, daz-
cling, fascinating ladies and gallant SOL
diers and courteous civilians. About half
past nine O'Clock dancing begun, and
wiry and graceful forms kept time with
the smoothly flowing music. Joy and
mirth and hilarity reigned, and bright,
brilliant, lustrous eyes looked love to
eyes that shone again. The dancing was
kept up until the wee sma' hours
ayant the twal" warned all that it was
time to depart, and in the arms Of Nor
pheus find that sweet restorative for
overtaxed nature which none of our NJ.
DIS can supply. Thus closed one of the
most pleasant and enjoyable entertain
ments that Donaldsonville has witnessed
for many a day, and one that will live
forever in the memories Of the particle
pants. @"-..5 .-S,
LARGE FIRE.-About half past 3 o'clock
this morning, the Oath inst, fire broke
out at the building occupied by Mr.. H.
H. Willers as residence and shoemaker's
shop, corner of Mississippi and St. Pat
rick streets, and although an alarm was
promptly given and citizens responded
az quickly as could have been expected,
the flames spread very rapidly and were
soon beyond control. The fire ragged for
nearly an hour and half, destroying the
Willers building, the residence adjoin-
ing, occupied by Mr.. Lazar Levy and
family, the McNabb wagon shed and
warehouse, Summerville's Robt. E. Lee
stable, Hether's Jackson House, and the
Fernandez barber-shop, constituting all
the buildings on the batture block be-
tween st. Patrick and Lessard streets ex-
cepting the two-story brick coffee-house
known as The Place, together with its
rear shed and outbuildings and small
wooden addition on the east side, next
the barber-shop, used and known as a
Keno house. 1t was only by the most
determined work on the part of the fire.
men and the citizens who aided them
that the buildings on Mississippi street
opposite the burning block were saved
from destruction, and more than once it
seemed inevitable that their efforts to
prevent the flames from crossing the
street would result in failure. A stiff
breeze from the northeast increased the
danger tenfold and showered sparks and
burning cinders over q greater portion
Of the entire town. Several houses took
fire from this source, but a close watch
was maintained and the flames extin-
guished in their jncipiency in each case
The members of the three fire companies
were very active in the performance Of
their duties, and did all that was possible
under the circumstances towards check
ing the progress Of the fire and saving
property from the devouring element.
With better facilities they might have
dope better service, but of that matter
We shall speak hereafter, as also of the
disposition shown by such large num-
Der Of people not only to refrain from
working themselves but to get into the
way and obstruct the movements of
those who did work. In next Issue We
shall give q more circunstantial account
of the fire, together with statement of
the value and ownership Of the property
destroyed, amount of insurance, and such
other details as may be Interesting.