Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-11-11
THE Police BALL.
over a Thousand People i'm Enstltute
Hall,

The police force OF the city last evening
was In q jovial mood. II was trying new
field Of action and establishing precedent
There had never been policemen's ball In
Wilmington before. It will be some year.
before there will be larger one or one so
well conducted. The force has been work
ing as a committee OF the whole for this
event with the chief as chairman and while
there has been comparatively little said
about 1t, but few public business men es-
capped buying ticket.
When the ball was first projected il was
designed to raise funds to pay the expente
of the improvements made for the benefit
OF the officers In the gymnasium and rsld
ing room. That expenditure having been
met by City Council, the money realized
will be utilized for improving the library
and furtherlng the plans for the introduce
ton OF conveniences IL the way OF handling
prisoners.
AT the ball last evening the police force
and municipality OF Reading were repre-
sented by the presence Of Chief of Police
Fred, H. Fleck and City Solicitor william ;.
Rourke. Chief Flsck entered heartily int
all the terpslchorean enjoynente " ,ht
occasion. Daniel 0'Neili OF the cnTitol
police at Washington was also present
There were no attempt. at decoration Of
the hall, which was so closely filled With
psople that no room remained for deeUra-
lions. The stage was occupied by Aibert's
| orchestra, which furnished the promenade
| ant dancing music.
The grand march took place at 10 no'clook,
II was led by Officer John Il Grml"y,
| master of ceremonies, and his wife. Floor
| Manager William II. Carey and wife fol
| lowed, and after these came Chief Dough
| erty, chairman of the committee OF arrange
ments, with Miss Martie Solomon, followed
| by Chief Of Police Fleck OF Reading and
Miss Ella Newell. Then came. Sergeant
Harry @. Taylor, chairman Of the re
/ ceptlon committee and Miss S4llie Newell.
| officer Thomas F. Russell and wife. Officer
\ Daniel Magulra and wife, Officer William
/ Todd and Miss Edna d. Gould, 0fficer Harry
| o. Weleh and Miss Dolly Welch, Sergeant
| james +. Kane and wife, Offleer John Hark-
ness and Mrs. Campbell, Sergeant Bernard
J.. Mcvey and wife, Officer Patrick Cum
| mings and wife, Officer Dennis S. Shields,
| secretary, and wife, Officer Harry Schoer
and many Others, numbering In all 50
couples. The grand promenade was i'm
| posing, and wound up with waltz which
| whlrled the host OF dancers into the gayest
OF moods. There wore fully ,200people in
the hall, including participants and specta-
tors.
The order of dances opened with plain
| quadrille as n ceremonial of welcome 10 the
first event oi the kind In the city's history.
A polka quadrille followed, inscribed to the
mayor, who occupied the gallery with salts
faction with his boys depicted on every
lineament of his countenance. A plain
quadrille was dedicated 20 the chief, and
that officer trod measure In recognition
Of the honor. The lady friends and the
sergeant5 were also remembered, and last
but not least In heartiness was war dance
quadrllle dedicated "to the old vet Charley
Brickle," whose long record on the police
force is one to be recommended and Is worthy
OF emulation. There were two intermissions
In the dancing, during the first OF which re-
freshments of coffee and sandwiches were
served, and during the second lemonade
and cake. The bali broke up little before
dawn this morning.
In spite OF these festivities full might
force OF police was kept on duty and thu
city's peace and quiet was closely looked
after. The men on duty we're volunteers
who surrendered the pleasures Of the even
ing to their comrades OF more social dis
position and took their places on the vari
Gus districts, regardless whether 1t wa
their night turn or not. The chief oil polio
gave the encouragement of his presence a
the ball all night, while the mayor spen
the night at police head quarters.
After the first intermisston supper wa
given the guests from outside the city q
Farra 4 Lewis. The credit OF making th'
greatest record In the sale OF tickets belong
to Oficer Harry r. Smith, who sold 10'
prior to the opening Of the ball. TIT
visitors from Reading were shown abou
the city and the various departments to-da.
by Sergeant Taylor and several OF thu
] offioara.