Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-14
xIth hurh croI. IN Gas Ists aud othsr

and WOnuerIully htUIdCJlV6 2TOunu
demanded the next attention of the
pilgrim. Besides the dazzling illumi-
nation Of the building in every win
dow, there appeared an immense arch
and cross over the fountain, and a
large star, both in gas. in front Of the
house, and the entire grounds were
bedecked about with Chinese lanterns
and gas jets. Upon entering the warm,
est welcome greeted the visitor, and
the fullest freedom was given to al!
the g~orgeously and costly furnished
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 2
feast of good things, both dainties and
substantials, that would delight the
most devoted epicurean, was in readi-
ness, and was served in faultless style
by the ladies and other attendants.
The worthy and wholesouled host and
his excellent lady and interesting fam
lily, as is their custom, were all atten,,
tive to the wants. of the guests, and
the hospitality amounted almost to q
burden, it would seem.
The following ladies assisted in the
reception: Misses Maggie Buckner
and Alice Hensely, Of Nashylllei
Misses Margie Mcmillan, Carrie Mich
olson, Ella Locke, Aurelia McClung,
Mary Temple, Mary Cowan, Margaret
and Ellen White, Fannie and Katie
Humes, Lawson, Bette and Cornelia
McGhee, Mesdames r. NJ. Rhea.
George W. Baxter, G.. M. McGhet
and G. NJ. McClung. The charms
and destinations of the ladies added
interest.
Next on the round the visitor glides
into the superb and broadly extended
grounds Of
MAJOR THOMAS o'CoNNER,
under the blazing jets Of o brilliant
arch, and beholds the b~edazzling scene
presented with awe and amazement,
Hundreds of gas jets with globes, be-
sides innumerable Chinese lanterns
dotted these grounds, which for beau.
ty and grandeur, both natural anC
cultivated, are not to be surpassed
anywhere. Conspicuous features
we're the splendid fish pond, surround
ed BIZ gas Jets and rehectors, and the
charming flower garden near the en-.
trance. Surrounding the proud EN-.
%inence, the visitor was ushereC
into the deliberately and ele.
gantly furnished home Of Maiol
O'Conner, where hospitality, ban.
quoting and conviviality reign su.
preme, and everything that mOrta
man could wish for the indulgence o.
appetite, all ofthe very choicest kinds
was served up in insurpassable style
by a score or more of polite aud ex'
perienced walters, employed specially
for the occasion. The princely and
uubounded hospitality for which
Major 0'Conner is noted all over the
state, and even outside, was put to the
severest test, but the jovial and big
hearted host and his good lady were
as is always the case, equal to the
emergency. Their house was made
the home lin the truest sense OF the
word) of their friends, and not a stone
was left unturned that would contrib,
ute to the complete success Of the &C.
casion.
The most captivating feature-tC
the musical ear, at lesst-of these two
latter receptions was the music. The
magnificent Fifth artillery band wal
stationed on the eminenee in front O.
Major 0'Conner's residence, and the
splendid Arnold's band, Of Memphis
in front of Mr.. Cowan's, on the hill Op.
posite, and they alternated with some
of the most soul stirring music imag'
Unable, the effect Of which, combined
with the surroundings, was too granC
to admit of anything like a descrip
ton at our hands.
The other papers, the Tribune anC
Dispatch, were fully as complimentary,
in their descriptions. The same pape
further says:
Yesterday afternoon Knoxville
honoIed fellow-citizen and philan
thropist, Hon. T. Dickinson, with tn,
princely hospitality for which he j
universally noted, furnished convey
ance for all who wished, and scores o
the knights and visitors we're affOrde'
the supreme pleasure OF a visit to tina
beautiful spot, the Island Home.
This was 3 feature which was enjoye,
by all.
A little after shutdown in the even
ing the Fifth artillery cOrnet BAN
came ont in front of the Lamar hous
and played a few airs in their in
imitable style. In a few moments Al
immense crowd had gathered on Ga.
street in the vicinity of the hotel t
listen to the charming music, and a
the end of each piece ~deafening ap
| plause greeted the artillery boys. |
was a rich treat TO the Knoxvillian
and their visitors and guests.
When they ceased, the Memphi
band commenced playing at the Haiti
house, and the crowd surged up Ga.
street in that direction. This is on
Of the best bands in the state, an.
those who heard them attested thei
appreciation with loud applause.
On Friday the following officer
were elected for the ensuing term:
Right Eminent Sir Benjamin 4
Halter, of Memphis, grand com
mander.
Eminent Sir WIN. p. Robertson, @
Jackson, deputy grand commander,
Eminent Sir G.. r. Gwynn, Of Leb
anon, grand Peneralissmo.
Eminent Sir John b. Nicklin, IT,, O
Chattanooga, grand captain general.
Eminent Sir Rev. II. Ii. Sneed, c
, Chattanooga, grand prelate.
Eminent Sir G.. B. Wilson, {
Clarksville, grand senior warden.
Ep,,uoutGf. IL Dill; Il Krou-.I