The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-01-05
THE CHRISTMAS ASSEMBLY.
A CHARMING AFFAIR THROUGHOUT

nOteu lor the occasional balls held
there. Before the erection of the
present imposing structure the part.
les given in the old hotel were the
events OF the season. and though they
were few and far between, when they
did come, they were talked about as
social episodes of high order, for
many long month after the reality
had passed away Then they were
usually gotten up by the landlord as a
personal benefit for himself. Upon
the completion of the present edi6ce
there was a grand opening. The
house was thronged with towns people
and many strangers from various
points, and it was the unanimous yer.
dict that this affair by far surpassed
all Its predecessors, and so it did.
The hotel was cup to date" the or
chestra of three or four pieces was
considered first-class, and the refresh
ments consisting of regular course
dinner at one or two O'Clock in the
morning, were pronounced unequalled
hitherto In the annals of catering in
this valley.
About twelve years ago the first of
the Winona Hops was given, and
these were continued so long as that
celebrated fire company had an exis
tence. After it had died natural
death for want of fires, the annual
Wlnona Receptions were continued,
in form if not substance, for often
times the majority of those actively
interested had never been members of
the company. However, as there is
nothing in a name, these were elegant
affairs, and far surpassed all previous
efforts, the management endeavoring
annually to make it more and more
enjoyable. Orchestras were brought
here from Scranton, Wilkesbarre, Will
Transport, Allentown, (who will ever
forget Ruhe's orchestra p and other
places at great expense, on the differ
ent occasions, and each year the whole
affair was pronounced better than
ever before. Up to last year it
was subscription ball. Any fellow
who received an invitation and had
FIVE dollars in his vest pocket, and
best girl, was sin it" And usually
any fellow who was SUSPECTED of hav-
ing five dollars with him, had no troub-
lie in obtaining an invitation. So it
went until last year, when the Holly
Club was organized, and the bsll was
given by them, and they paid all the
bills. 1t was the most elegant affair
of the kind ever given up to that time,
at the Exchange. But it remained for
this year to outdo all former efforts.
The Christmas Club, formed on the
same plan as that of last year, was or
ganized and the Christmas Assembly
on December aoth was given by them,
The members of the club are the fol-
lowing: Frank Ikeler, ]. NJ. Clark,
T. b. Hanly, Frank Wilson, Frank
Pursel, ]. L. Harman, S. H. Harman,
E. f. Caldwell, r. E. Hartman, J. L.
Richardson, H. M. Rupert, S. A.
Goodhue, F. c. Williams, E. S. Nc
Killip and w. C. Sloan.
1t will be observed that these gen
tlemen are all bachelors. No married
men were allowed to contribute, for
which no doubt they are very grateful.
Over fifty couples were present.
The parlor was beautifully decorated
with ferns and palms and vines, by
]. l.. Dillon. The dining room was
used for dancing, and the floor was
covered with crash. The music by c.
p. Elwell's orchestra of eight pieces
was pronounced the best of any Of the
long list that has played for former
dances. Frequent encores were given
and two extras were played, making
twenty-four dances in all.
The refreshments were served in a
most satisfactory manner, and were
most gratifying to the appetites of the
hungry dancers. The ice cream was
furnished by Jacobs. About an
hour was consumed by the supper,
and then the hall was cleared and and
the dancing resumed, and continued
until five o'clock in the morning. Mr..
McCloskey, proprietor Of the Exchange,
spared no effort or expense, and to
him is largely due the fact that these
parties have gained reputation that
has given to all the society men in this
end Of the state desire to be invited
to the "Bloomsburg holiday dance"
The following persons from out Of
town were present; Mr.. and Mrs A.
r. Trexler, Miss Packer, Miss Sarah
Moody, John c. Essinger, c. L,
Kramer. Sunbury; Mr.. and Mrs. B.
F. Crispin, Mrs. A. X. Oswald, Miss
Brockway, Alexander Jackson, Ber-
wick Edward Smith, w. c. Sloan,
Philadelphia Miss Blair, John Bucher,
Abbott Bucher, Lewisburg Mrs. w.
Leverett, Wikesbarre Miss Kendig,
Lancaster Miss May McHenry, Still
water Miss Lewis, William Penn /;