The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-24

rooms, the crowds dispersed for the time
being, and the reception OF the President
by the city of st. Augustine was over.
Very great credit is due to the MEM
bers of the Decoration Committee and
its able and enthusiastic assistants.
Alderman Llambias, although far
from favoring the final action
of the Executive Committee in
proceeding with the reception
after the repeated requests of the Presi-
dent that no ceremony should be had,
went bravely on with his work, as a
special committee to arrange for the
demonstration of school children, which
was designed as an especial compliment
to Mrs. Cleveland, and did his work well,
and was ably assisted by Messrs. Kuibloe
and Enslow, and the Trustee of Public
Schools No. /, DIR. j. K. Rainey. This
was the best part of the whole demon
stration and was certainly most pleasing
to the one whom the committee was
most anxious to please-the gracious
lady who stands as the social head of the
nation.
A private reception to the guests of
the Ponce de Leon took place in the ro-
tunda just before the hour fixed for the
public reception. The display of sump-
tuous costumes, not only by the Presi-
dental party, but by the guests and in
mates of the hotel, was something alto
gether magnificent, and it it is quite safe
To off hot
tha South has it been equalled.
Mrs. Cleveland wore lovely pink cos
tune of alternate satin and silk stripes,
| cut decolette, en- train, richly enbroid-
cred with tiny bouquets, with diamonds.
Mrs. Whitney's dress was of heliotrope
silk, deliberately trimmed with plaits,
and decollette.
Mrs. Lamont wore a beautiful cos
| tune of pale blue silk, trimmed with
pearls and moire antique.
Mrs. Flagler's costume was exceedingly
rich, of white silk with blue plait bod
| ice, cut decollette and en- traine. Her
diamonds were superb, a most beautiful
| necklace being especially remarked
Mrs. Benedict wore white silk with
| pink plush bodice.
No ordinary description could possibly
| do justice to the richness of these cos
| tunes or the orilliancy of the scene as
the little group of distinguished visitors
stood greeting one by one with
| apparently cordial hand shaking
| the thousands of people of
all degrees and conditions. col
ors, ages, shapes and sizes, who pre-
ented themselves, some of them two or
three times in succession, as the hours
| rolled on and assisted in the muscular
developments of the Presidential right
hand and arm. The arrangements for
the public reception, which began at 8
o'clock, precisely, were perfect in every
detail, and carefully conducted through
out by Capt. Armstrong and Capt
Archer, of the Ponce de Leon, assisted
by detachment of the Guards, who are
entitled to high praise for their effective
and devoted services throughout the
entire day and evening.
The Presidential party was stationed
just at the right centre of the rotunda,
with the President at the head of the
line and Mrs. Cleveland on mis- right, the
others in the following order: Mrs.
| Whitney, Secretary Whitney, Mrs. La
mont, Mrs. Flagler. Col Lamont, Mrs.
Benedict of New York, (Mrs. Flaglers
daughter,) supported by Mr.. Flagler and
Mr.. Benedict.
Just before the doors were opened a
magnificent bouquet of roses from the
gardens of Mrs. Reynolds, having in its
centre tiny electric light, was present
ed to Mrs. Cleveland and acknowledged
with many expressions of delighted ad-
miration,
The illumination of the grounds, the
interior of the court and the towers OF
the vast building with electric lights
already described, was wonderful and
striking.
No words can properly or intelligently
describe the scene of enchantment pre-
sented by the appearance of the court
as the colored lights in the great foun
tain and the name Cleveland" over tn,
main entrance were flashed from tim,
to time or burned with a brilliant steady
blaze. The large 100 candle power hgh
at the top of the fountain was especial.
admired. The crowd was variously esti
mated in round figures from 5000 t.
5000, of which perhaps the latter figur
is the nearest the truth. The reception
lasted until 9:15, and the party wer
enabled to leave for their night ride t
Palatka only few minutes later tha
{ the time specified.
2 The doors of the Presidents carriag
were opened on arrival at the Ponce d
Leon by ''Gen'r' George Flynn, of Boz
: ton, who was kindly greeted by Mr.:
e Cleyelar4.
!, The Mayor and President of the Cour
: Gil had an especial introduction to and
brief chat with the President and Mrs
Il Cleveland.
The distinguished people stopping q
. the Ponce de Leon as guests were quit
u as curious to witness the details of th
;. ceremony of reception as the yerie,
cop'moner. They held bravely to the
= points of vantage on chairs and in wiz
dows and inches.
A goodly number of colored peopl
: little and big, and many sweet lit
: children had the pleasure of shaking Il
L hand of live President last night.
: The Magnolia Hotel was brilliantly
:, Illuminated last night.
! Mr. Henry Willard, the celebrated CO..
a fectioner of New York, who is at Il