Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-05-17
THE DEAR CREATURES.
THE LADIES OF DRESS REFORM
DEVOTION MEET


Chicago, Ill.,. May 1G,-There were live
ly times today. The seventy different
simultaneous meetings of all the sub.
divisions of the wolnHn's congress were
In session at the art palace. The va
rious halls and even the corridors OF the
big structure were crowded with the
fair sex. Topics ranging from dress re-
form to evolution were under discussion,
and each hall had its quota Of deyotces,
particularly those devoted 10 the Inter
national Young Momnn's Christian as
soclation aud the Order ~ tue Eastern
Star 10 secure seats many reached
the halls while their less cnterprlsing
sisters were at breakfast. Mrs, May
Wright Sewall presided over the depart
ment Of the congress on dress reform,
and II was her forte, Expectation was
on tip-toc. Lucy Stone, the pioneer re-
former. Frances Nj. Steele, Anna Jenns-
Miller, apostle of modern advancement
and Frances w. Letter, were announced
US speakers.
A ripple passed through the crowd
when Mrs Sewall advanced She wore
dress reform costume, the notable re-
form feature being the short skirts
During the morning Mrs. Scwall was
seen lifting about the corridor greatly
to the admiration of spectators. but she
attracted most attention when on the
stage In Columbus hall, and took the
stand by Charlotte u. Brown. She wore
closply-ftting, dark blue dress, fun
skirts. about Is inches from the grlnnd;
below the dress aud encasing u service
able pnir Of walking shoes, were light
blue Cutters, A number of others were
dressed in similar costumes.
Mrs Lucy Stone. In giving reminis-
cenccs Of early dress reform, told her
own experience IA the bloOuler costume
in efIete Boston. and her labors In re-
form movement with which her name
is inseparihly connected.
There was q general straining OF necks
aud simultaneous uprising 81 honnel-
when thu president announced mat Ow,
| ing TO the absence OF Frances Russell
| that lady's report would, be read by
| Mrs. Foster Avery. SocretarN AVERY
is a drcss rcformer She stood behind
| The presidents table with the report IN
her hind. NIL ready TO read. but the Ia
dies would not have II. stand on the
table" spoke out one brave litue w0
man. and she was thanked by q hun
dred pair Of eyes. "Oh! OH! hllrl The
air. ~ Secretary Avery stood smilingly
and good nnturedly che focus Of all ewes
II was full ten minutes before gentle
murinurlng subsidized. She looked odd
10 nine-tenths Of the women. Mrs
Avery's attire was like The dress nt a
sultans subject. A skirt Of blue Han
mel fell trihe below her knees. where
the garment divided and was caught NJ
at the knee, leaving the ankles free and
unfeticred The waist was u loose
blouse. with just suspicion Of belt in
side. After the curiosity Of the nHsein'
bis was thoroughly satisfied. the score
tary read the report Mrs. Henrietta
| Russell made u striking picture with
| her classic appearance and multles'
form, which appeared TO an advantage
IN dress reform. Immediately after adj
iournmeni Henrietta Russell, she Of Gre
clan drapcry, and Mrs Bertha NJ Smith
were beslegod by deyotees of this new
fad Of dress. The meeting was pro
nounced success.