The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-17
Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery Stands on a
Table and Exhibits Her Divided Skirt,
Whils Krs. Henrietta Russell Shows Herself
In Greek Costums-W Worlds Fair Con-
sresional Appropriation Repudiated.
DRESS REFORMERs.


taneous MEETINGS. all subdivisions OF the
women's congresses in session In the great
art palace on the lake front. The various
halls. and even the corridors of the big
structure, were crowded with the fair sex.
Topics ranging from dress reform to evo-
luton were under discussion, and each hall
had ifs quota of devotees, particularly
those devoted to the International Young
Women's Christian Association and the
Order of the Eastern Star. To secure
seats many reached the halls while less
enterprising sisters were at breakfast
Mrs. May Wright Sewall presided over
the department congress on dress reform.
and It was here that expectation was on
tip toe Lucy Stone. pioneer refOrmer.
Frances NJ. Steele. Annie Jenness Miller.
the apostle of tho modern movement o.
tavia Bates and Frances w. Letter were
announced as speakers. and q large aud.
ience. eager to inspect the "bloomer" and
divided skirt in actual service. gathered In
the hall. ripple Of excitement moved
across the assembisge when Mrs. Sewall
advanced to the stage. She wore dress
reform costume. the noticeable reform"
feature being short skirts.
During the morning Mrs. Sewall had
been fitting about the corridor. greatly TO
the admiration of spectators, but she at
treoted most attention when she advanced
90 the stage In Columbus Hall and took
her stand beside Charlotte Emerson Brown.
Ars. Sewau wore a closely fitting dark
blue dress, with full skirts about eighteen
inches from the ground. Below the dress.
and encasing n serviceable pair of walking
shoes. were high blue CATERS Mrs. Brown
had just called the meeting to order when
Mrs. Sewsll arrived to make several an
nouncements. Possibly the audience gave
more attention to the costume than the
words, but her retirement was greeted by
applause. number OF Others, who were
not called to appear so conspiouously. wore
similar costumes to that of Mrs. Sewall.
notably Miss Rachel Foster Avery. On the
platform behind Mrs. Brown and Mrs.
SewalI, apparently in sympatby with here
form ldea but not yet personally demon
strating it. were Mrs. Margaret L. Parker, of
Dundee, Scotland; DR.. Jennie De La NJ.
Lozier, presidents Of Sorosis, New York:
Mira Elizabeth b. Harbert, and other wide
IL known women.
LUCY STONE IN BLOOMERs.
Afscrs calling the announcements. Mrs.
Eewaii. turning to the venerable old lady
sitting at the table on her right intro
duced Mrs Lucy Stone. The presidents
words of introduction were drowned In
wave of applause, while the hall was q
variegated wave of dainty kerohiefs. Mrs.
Stone. in giving her "reminiscences of early
dress reform told of her own personal ex-
perienee In the bloomer costume in effete
Boston and her labors in the reform move
ment with which her name is inseparably
connected. There was q general straining
of necks and a Simultaneous uprising Of
bonEets when the president announced
that. owing to the absence OF Frances r.
Russell. that lady's report of the committee
work would be read by Rachel Foster
Avery, secretary of the cOuncil. Secretary
Avery is one of the ultra reformers, and
the audience seemed TO know it. The lady
stood behind the Presidents table with the
report in her hand ready to read. But the
ladies would not have it read that way.
Stand on the table," spoke one brave
little woman.
Eyes; we want her In position where we
can see her." said another.
Hundreds of ladies said yes. yes" and
in Ie5pense to the clsmor Mrs- Avery gave
her right hand to the president and WAS
helped up. Then the necks were strained
to their utmost.
Suppressed murmurs Of "ob, OH" filled
the air as Secretary Avery stood. smilIngly
and good -naturedIy, the focus of all eyes.
1t was full ten minutes before the gentle
murmuring and buzzing had subsided. She
did look tritie odd, at least to q nine.
teenthn century woman. Mrs. Avery's at
tire reminded one of the dress of the sub
time in Midway Plaisance. The skirt of
blue flannel fell tritie below the knees.
where the garment was divided and
caught mp at the knee. leaving the ankles
half way mp free. and unfettered. The
waist WAS loose blouse with just aus
picion of q belt inside. After the curiosity
of the assem- blage had been thoroughly sat-
isfied the secretary read the report
Frances VI. Steele followed with q paper
sketching the work of the society for the
promotion of ply sical culture and correct
dress
How Beauty Mahss Reform Possible"
an object lesson. though not intended for
such. again put the audience In q hutter.
Mrs. Henrietta Russell, to whom the sub
ject bad been left for discussion. made q
striking picture. With her classic face
ana faultless form arrayed In adaptation
of Greek draoery she was herself most
fOrcible ex poI ent of the matter on which
she spoke Her address was forceful and
sparkled with many witty points. 1t was
listened TO with marked attention.
sYRIANs LIKE OTHER WOMEN.
At the close of Mrs. Russelps talk, Mrs.
Sewall introduced Mime. Hannah Karan, q
native of Syria. The bloomer costumes re-
semble in many points the native dress Of
her country. and she spoke to the assem-
blsge about the modes of the women of her
land. "But you musn't think" she said in
bringing her remark to q close. that be-
cause few of us prefer our native dress
all do. Women are the same In Syria as in
other countries. There they copy she
styles of the Eurspeans, and as many as
can dress q la mods"
Fashion VS.. Law In Dress" paper by
Helen Gilbert Eeob, was succeeded by
Annie Jenpess MtDlef. the welLkDown ad-
vocate Of dress reform. whose bright en-
tertaining talk on THE Essentials and Nom
essentials In Dress" was one of the best
features Of the session.
Obstacles to Improved Dress" by Octa-
VIA w. Bates. and a salk on Physical Cult
ure a Necessary Preparation for Correct
Dressing" by Frances w. Letter. brought
the session TO q close.
Immediately after the adjournment Hen.
rIetta Russell. she of the Grecian drapery,
and Mrs. Bertha Morris Smith were besieged
with devotees of the new dress, and both
ladies were obliged % give curious femin.
unity the secrets of their dress make No.
The meeting was pfenouced success.
ETbe division of the work of the congress
by having many multaneous meetin gs
during the day snd so-night made possible
the transaction of q volume of business
that could not haze been attempted had
all the proceedings. been confined to one
hall or TO one seseSon. The evolution of
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