The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-27
THE RIFLES BALL.
1t Was q Brilliant Affair and Largely
Attended.

Last night occurred the annual ball of
the Rodman Rifles, Rock Islands splendid
military organization. The party was
looked forward to with more than ordinary
interest by the members of the company,
as on this occasion they would first appear
in their nobby new uniforms. The ball
took place at Armory hall, as usual, and
was well patronized. Bleuers orchestra
furnished the music, and gave good salts
faction.
Dancing commenced about $50 o'clock,
but all the guests had not arrived until
about ten. The smooth and nicely waxed
floor, made it excellent for dancing. The
hall was deliberately and exquisitely deco
rated in true military fashion. The win
dows were trimmed with lambrequins of
assorted colors, and ovGr each was fixed
crossed guns and bayonets. In one corner
of the room was pyramid of nine drums
and over the balcony was suspended the
flag donated to the Rifles by the ladies
some two years ago. Streamers were
suspended from the center of the ceiling
to each end of the room, and there was
no end of banners and small flags, all OF
which went to make the hall look beautiful
and cheerful. But the smiling and beau
tiful faces of the ladies, who were attired
in elegant toilets, and the manly forms OF
the gentlemen attracted the attention OF
the spectator more than did the beautiful
surroundings. Especially were the men,
bers of the Rifles admired as they gllded
about in their dazzling uniforms, which
set their figures off to such good advant-
age. They were the envy of their less
conspicuous guests, for it seemed as
though the fair sex smiled upon them
with more bewitching sweetness-or per
haps it was only the uniforms that engaged
their attention, and not the wearers
DRILL
After several dances had been satisfac
torily executed, the floor was surrendered
for short time to the Rifles, who ap.
peared with their brightly polished guns,
and went through drill. AS the boys
with thar bneds oront and nrocaptiDr a
good soldieIly appearance, marched around
the hall, executing the movements ordered
by their gallant captain in an admirable
manner, they were loudly applauded
Capt. Abel gave his commands in a cleal
voice, and gave evidence Of being very
fine drill master Although many difficult
commands were given, the boys proved
themselves equal to the occasion, execut.
ing them promptly and with great uni.
formity. There were twenty six men in
ranks and they with their officers, pre-
sented magnificent appearance in theil
new uniforms, which are made of govern
ment standard cadet grey cloth, with gold
trimmings. The following men partici-
pated in the drill:
Capt. Harry Abel, First Lieut.. c. C.
Carter, Second Lieut.. VIM. Channon
Sergeants, D. j. Sears J. Fl. Tatspaugh
Vim. H. Steel; Corporals, VIM. Stafford
L, E. Knocke; Privates, Al Frantz, J. Z
Cooke, P j. Cook, Peter Bloom, George
II. Cook, w s. Parsons, Chas. Bladel, F
NJ. Wheaton, George Young, Frank NJ.
Young, ". IL Stephens, George H. Mease
James Johnston, A Knocke and few
others. Several other members of tht
company were present. but as all TIL
uniforms did not arrive, they could no
appear in military costume.
Supper was served at Turner hall by tn,
ladies of the Episcopal church, and RICH
well did they cater to the appetites OF tn
dancers The elegance and abundance o
the repast was quite favorably commente'
upon, and the ladies spared no pains Il
make it pleasant for all.
Dancing was continued until lat
hour, the fascinating pleasure having com
pletely taken possession of the gay assem-
blage. In conclusion it is only necesSar.
to state that all went smoothly as
marriage bell' and the reputation of tn
Rifles as royal entertainers has been ad
vanced a hundred fold