Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-10

victim to the flames. Peoples Tppecanoe |
Inauguration Ball. was also given on the occa-
sion of President Harrison's Inauguration at |
Carusis saloon; also. Native American Inau-
guration Ball. at the (then) Masonic hall
PRESIDENT POLK.
The Inauguration ball of President Polk took
place In Carusi's saloon, and. though the ex-
standing the tickets were limited to 6OO) it was,
on the WHOLE very pleasant affair. 1t was
conspicuous for the gorgeous toilets Of the
ladies and the number OF uniforms the corps
dfptonaGtique and army and navy being repre-
scented In full force. Like its predecessors. il
proved success, financially; that is, there was
no loss.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR.
1t having become evident that there was no
hall or building in Washington which could
give entire satisfaction as ball room on such
great public occasions as presidential Inaugural
tons, 1t was determined when Gen. TAYLOR was
tnaugurated to construct temporary building
for the accommodation Of the guests and dam
GERS. After some deliberaton Judiciary square
was chic sen as the SITE and wooden building
erected III the rear of the City hall. with which
1t communicated through covered passages
This structure was splendidly decorated and
furnished with all the comforts and conven;ences
+ the period, and. TO add still further spIendor
20 the event. the celebrated Austrian band of
tProf. t,ungl was engaged to furnish the dancing
music. 1t having then just arrived in this coun-
try. The expense attending this feature was
very considerable. but it proved successful
speculation, for after settling all bills there was
q very handsome balance on hand. which was
divided between the two orphan asyums. which
had already been beneffctaries upon previous
occasion Two other inauguration balls were
given Oh the same night, one at Jackson hall
and the other at Carusi's saloon. President
Taylor visited all three of the balls in the course
OF the evening.
PRESIDENT PIERCE.
sThe ball which followed the inau yuration Of
Franklin Pierce took place in a building SINH lar
ly constructed on the same site. The rooms in
the City Hall were temporarily vacated. and
were occupied rs dressing reception aud cloak
rooms. communicating with the ball building
through covered corridors. gay and splendid
thrOng Of pleasnre-seskers assembled to do
honor to the occasion. and it was one of the
most joyIal inauguration balls 50 far on record.
DUCHANAN's INAUGURATION BALL
was also splenddly gotten-up affair, in fact too
splendid. perhaps. under the circumstances, for
when the accounts came to be squared there
was small deficit, which was made up by the
gentlemen composing the committee having
the matter in charge. A temporary building in
Judiciary square, had been erected aud fitted I'D
in splendid style. The dancing and promenade
music was furnished by the then celebrated Ger
mania band. and socially. though not financially,
the affair wasa decided success.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
The ball which attended the first Inaugural
ton of Abraham Lincoln is still remembered bv
many of our citizens. For many DAYS be-
fore it came off Mr.. Seward had expressed great
anxiety that it should be an affair worthy of the
great occasion. and he was indefatigable in his
efforts to secure this end. After consulting
with several OF our prominent citizens. a COM
mittee was formed which agreed to take hold
of the matter. and Messrs. Lewis and Angus as
members thereof were induced to erect suit
able building in Judiciary square, and MessRs.
Thompson and Alex. X. Shepherd furnished the
gas fittings and chandeliers, the latter being
brought from "Jaynes hail." in Philadelphia
the prOprietors of which had agreed to loan
them for the occasion Mr.. John Alexander
furnished the decorations of the ball building,
and to Mr.. Charles Gautier was assigned the
task of preparing and serving the supper
Everything was arranged on grand scale; but
the result failed to come up to the expectations
OF the gentlemen who had undertaken it, and q
heavy loss was the consequence. Nor was the
ball. In social point of view, the success it had
been hoped it would be. A critical period
had arrived in the history OF our country, and
it seemed as if no One-not even the gay butter
flies OF washington seasOn-were in hunOr or
spirits to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The
civil war cast its shadows over the ball room
and many of the then leading and prominent
persons In politics and society," whose presence
had been expected for certain. failed to put i'm
an appearance. The pecuniary deficit was
borne by the gentlemen of the committee of
arrangements. some OF whom lost quite heavily.
THE SECOND LINCOLN INAUGURATION BALL,
which came Off In the model room" of the
Patent Office, was more of success, both
socially and financially. 1t was, however. chiefly
remarkable for the confusion which prevailed in
the cloak and hat rooms after the ball was over
when everybody wanted, apparently, what
everybody else had got and what nobody could
give. Such turmoil and topsy-turvy state Of
affairs has seldom been equalied anywhere The
Washington hatters made rich harvest on the
following day, for no ordinary chapeaux had
been equal to the emergency. In the supper
ROOM tine scanty accommodations. and conse-
quent jamming and crowding, was also serious
draWb back.
PRESIDENT GRANT.
The first Inauguration ball OF Gen. Grant was
held in the north wing of the Treasury depart
ment. Barring the crOwding. consequent upon
the small rooms and limited accommodations it
was al enjoyable affair and great success
financially. Nearly 5000 had been realized
alter all expenses had been paid which sum-
1t was by resolution of the managers resolved
to donate toward the erection of a monument
to President Lincoln. At this ball 2, 900 tickets
had been sold. admitting one gentleman and
two ladies, and it was estimated that 5000
persons We're present. The jam in the passages
and on the stairways was terrific. The arrange
ments for checking and delivering hats and
coats were defective. Many waited hours for
the redemption of their checks, and were then
compelled to 60 away hatless and coatless
Horace Greeley was iammed for two hours
awaiting the delivery of his white overcOat. and,
1t Is said. he ''swore good deal in the oldest
and most miscellaneous style" The disagreed
BILE features OF the occasion sprang largely from
the fact that the access to and exit from the
lunch and cloak rooms were by the same doors.
THE SECOND GRANT INAUGURATION BALL.
Preparations were made for the Inauguration
ball of 1873, which would have Insured bril-
liant success had the weather permitted.
building. $50 by $50 feet, was erected on Judi
ciary square especially for the purpose. The
interior arrangements and decorations were
pronounced superb. excelling those in any
building ever erected before for like purposes
The ball room was 800 feet long by 100 feet
wide, and was lighted by $500 burners. On
the pendant supply pipes and below the burn
ers were hung crimson, blue and gold aprons.
Beneath these were cross streamers in every
conceivable variety, stretched from chandelier
to chandelier over the entire ROOM The walls
to the height of Is feet were covered with white
muslin with q deep cOrnice painted in blue and
pink Around the cOrnice was q continuous
chain of laurel wreath looped up with rosettes
of red, white and blue. Indeed, the national
col nm ODD orth n