Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-06-11

Col Robert 1. Chester of Jackson. The
The Fifth Artillery Band halted in the yard
for while, rendering some fine airs.
| Just across the street from Mr.. Dickinson
the cosy house of L. C. Shepard, Esq, was
finely Illuminated with a huge cross in gas
jets and other lights, and was much ad-
mired
| MR.. CowAN's PALATIAL RESIDENCE
and wonderfully attractive grounds demand
ed the next attention of the pilgrim. Be-
sides the dazzling illumination of the build
ing in every window, there appeared an i'm
mense arch and cross over the fountain,
and large star, both in gas, in front of the
house, aud the entire grounds were bedeck-
ed about with Chinese lanterns and gas gets.
! Upon entering the warmest welcome greeted
the visitor, and the fullest freedom was
| given to all the gorgeously and costly fur
nished parlors and reception rooms. There
| social enjoyment abounded in all its forms.
Finally, though not of last Importance, the
visitor was ushered into the inviting dining
hall, where a feast of good things, both
| danties and substantials, that would delight
the most devoted epicurian, was in readiness,
and was served in faultless style, by the
| ladies and other attendants. The worthy
| and whole-souled host and hm excellent lady
| and interesting family, as is their CUSTOM
| were all attentive to the wants of the guests,
and the hospitality amounted almost to a
burden, it would seem.
The following ladies assisted in the recep-
| ton: Misses Maggie Buckner and Alice
| Hensely, of Nashville, Misses Margie Nc
MILAN, Carrie Nicholson, Ella Locke,
Aurelia McClung, Mary Temple, Mary
| Cowan, Margaret and Ellen White, Fannie
and Katie Humes, Lawson, Bette and Cor
nelia McGhee, Mesdames r. NJ Rhea, Geo.
| w. Baxter, G. NJ. McGhee and c. NJ Nc
| Clung. The charms and destinations of the
ladies added interest This scribbler was
fortunate enough to fall into the hands of
Miss Mcmillan, to be waited upon, and is
also indebted to Miss Buckner and Mr. Jas.
| Fl. Cowan for favors shown.
Next on the round the visitor glides into
the superb and broadly extended grounds of
MAI THOMAS o'CoNNER,
under the blazing jets of brilliant arch,
and beholds the bedazzling scene presented
with awe and amazement Hundreds OF
gas jets, with globes, besides innumerable
Chinese lanterns, dotted these grounds,
which, for beauty and grandeur, both
natural and cultivated, are not tC
be surpassed anywhere. Conspic-
uous features were the splendid
fish pond, surrounded by gas jets and re-
Electors, and the charming flower garden,
near the entrance Surmounting the proud
eminence, the visitor was ushered into the
elaborarely and elegantly furnished home OF
Maj. O'Conner, where hospitality, banquet
ing and conviviality reigned supreme, and
everything that mortal man could
wish for the indulgence of the appe.
tite, all of the very choicest kinds,
was served up, in insurpassable
style, by score or more of polite and ex-
perienced walters, employed specially fo1
the occasion. The princely and unbounded
hospitality for which Major OConner is
noted all over the State, and even outside,
was put to the severest test, but the jovial
and ig-hearted host, and his good lady,
were, as is always the case, equal to the
emergency. Their house was made the
home (in the truest sense of the word) OF
their friends, and not stone was left un.
turned that would contribute to the com
plete success of the occasion.
The most captivating feature-to the
musical ear, at least-of these two latter
receptions was the music. The magnificent
Fifth Artillery Band was stationed on the
eminence in front of Major O'Conner's resi-
dence, and the splendid Arnold's Band, of
Memphis, in front of Mr.. Cowan's on the
hill opposite, and they alternated with some
of the most soul-stirring music imaginable,
the effect of which, combined with the sur
roundings, was too grand to admit of any
thing like a description at our hands.