Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-01-10
Madison, January 8.

at the university where the inaugural
reception and ball took place. The
doors of the building were thrown
open at O'Clock but even before that
| time a large crowd had gathered
which impatiently clamored for admit
lance. The big gallery overlooking the
| gymnasium hall was soon damned to
| oyerf1oWing and the people had to he
permitted to enter the ball room.
This great auditorium was scarcely
large enough to accommodate the num-
Der who gathered
1t was few minutes after s O'Clock
when the receiving party entered the
ball room to the inspiring strains of
march rendered by Leuders' orches
! ira. The party entered from the south
doors. Its members had previously
assembled in a large cloak room Just
off the hall. Mr.. Samuel H. Marshall
and Mr.. J. W. Conklin led the party
! which moved out near the center of
! the room and circling to the left
stopped near the southwest corner
where the reception took place After
Mr.. Marshall and Mr.. Conklin came
Gov. and Mrs. Upham who were fol,
lowed by the new state officers and
their ladies. Following these were eX-
Gov. and Mrs. Peck who in turn led
! the retiring state officers and their
ladies. The managers of the ball then
stationed themselves before the line
ard presented the guests to the diff
| ferent members of the party Mayor
Corscot introduced the people to Gov.
and Mrs. Upham.
With no exception the function was
the most brilliant ever witnessed in
| the capital city. 1t seemed that all the
chlvalry and beauty of the state had
assembled to participate in the event.
The full briliancy Of a midnight sum
glow of consolidated lamps and lusters
lent an exquisite charm to the scene.
! There was a veritable feast of gowns
in which all that is newest, smartest
and richest was concentrated in one
grand eliminating effect
Mrs. Gov. Upham wore beautiful
blue silk gown, high cut, large fluffy
sleeves which reached to white kid
! gloves. The bodice was trimmed with
! fur and lace. Her ornaments We're
diamonds. She carried a magnificent
ostrich plume fan and bunch of
white carnations.
| Mrs. eX-Gov. Peck wore costume
of exquisite beauty. The bodice was
of light yellow figured silk, cut in V
shape and adorned with broad black
lace. The skirt was black silk with
small yellow dots. Her ornaments
. were diamonds. She carried yellow
roses.
Mrs. Lieut.. Gov. Baensch was
, gowned in fetching frock of pink
/ silk The bodice was low, square cut,
with short puff sleeves reaching long
pink gloves. At her throat was a
cluster of brilliants.
| Mrs. Secretary of State Casson wore
a rich, dark brown figured silk
trimmed with lace The bodice was
filled in front with pink chiffron which
came to a point in front. Other
gowns there may have been more gor-
geous, but none We're more becom-
J ing to the wearer.
Mrs. Treasurer PeterSon's frock was
an aesthetic pale blIe silk adorned
with white lace.
Mrs. Attorney General My1rea.
whose figure, tall and graceful, would
enhance the style of any gown, looked
unusually we'll in a white silk. The
| bodice was cut decollette vita short
| puff sleeves which met long white
gloves. Broad white ribbon embel-
lished the skirt A large red rose was
fastened in her hair.
Mrs. State Superintendent Emery
| wore black silk trimmed With Jet
| Her ornaments were diamonds.
There were many other costumes
which attracted much attention and
We're beautiful creations of the mo-
distes art.
The reception continued for over an
hour when the grand march began.
The official party, headed by several
managers Of the ball who endeavored
to clear the floor, lead the march.
The spectators surged out from all
sides and the march was abandoned.
Space was then cleared for the first
dance which was a quadrilie, the place
of honor being occupied by the govern
Or's set at the north end Of the hall.
In this set were Gov. Upham and Mrs
Ex-Governor Fairchild, Ex-Governor
Peck and Mrs. Wheelock, of South
Bend, Ind; Lieut.. Gov. and Mrs.
Baensch, and Attorney General and
Mrs. Mylrea. The pre-arranged pro-
gram of dances was then followed out
and soon visitors, state officials and
ex-state officials were whirling grace
fully to the throbs Of harmony emen-
ating from the orchestra.
Hundreds Of Madisonlans were pres
ent.
Those from outside of Madison present
were Representative J. w. Babcock
and wife, of Washington; Mrs. Warren,
Mary Warren, Bangor, Me-; A. c..
Rankin, Pittsburg: Mrs. A. R. Rogers,
Minneapolis; r. J. Whittleson, Har-
ward, H.; R. T. Brewer, J. P. Hey
wood, W. e. Petrie, a. Stuart, Chica-
go; G. W. Downs, Delavan; C. W. Da-
Wis and daughter, E. B. Goodrich. As
semblyman G. A. Buckstaff and wife,
D. w. Osborn, Miss Amy Osborn, Ben
Tilton, Col. John Hicks, Oshkosh:
Col. 81. F. Caldwell and wife, Albert
Anderson, Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes. of
Whitewater; Mayor A. L. Harris and