The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-05
THE GREAT BALL OVER.
Most Elaborate Event In TOpe-
Ia Society History.
an Enormous Success With 800
Guests Present.
Music by 112 Musicians, Magnificent
Gowns, Elegant Supper and Every
Appointment That Could be
Desired.

ity ban of last night at Representa-
tive hail.
Topeka society turned out in large
numbers to honor the event soon
after the hands of the clock on the
west wall pointed to 9 o'clock and the
music of the grand march commenced,
the han was nearly filled with beauti-
fully gowned women and well dressed
men. but guests continued to arrive
until after 10 o clock Fully 500 of the
1000 invited guests We're present at
the bail There were 300 gentlemen
present and 300 dress suits were worn
Some years ago gentlemen dared 70
appear at BAN in Topeka in a CUT
away or a Prince Albert. but that day
has passed never to return
The hall itself was the perfection OF
elaborate detail Across the entire
width of the hall and screening the ll2
musicians We're arranged ian palms
and garueDllL5 ia uFoIuSlon- ana TINS
floral effect was carried out around the
sides of the hall ON the marble
Lodges ON each side. half way the
height Of the hail. carmine geranlums
were placed
From tine large chandelier in the CEN
ter of the hall and from the four small
Ter ones hung dozens of hags OF differ
around the entire han flags of varied
c0lors floated. the American fiag pre-
dominating. AS q fitting finish of the
decorative effect. wild smilaX from Ala
and fronts of the balconies, and en-
twined about the balcony pillars.
AT each corner of the speakers stand
stood white marble statues, each bear
ms a coloIed electric light Directly
in the center of the west balcony hung
the Kansas star from the office of the
secretary of state. This attracted
much attention. The star was Dor
dered with rwanty-siN electric lights IN
different col0rs
III was exactly ten minutes past
riage was heard ON the gravel drive
way of Capitol square and the first
couple alightel at the west entrance OF
the state building. Carriage after car
liage followed quickly and soon blend
ed into a continual roll. by $50 o clock
the dressing rooms were FULL by l7
minutes Of o'clock the hall COM
manced to FILL and when the grand
march started ait o'clock there We're
400 ladies and gentlemen i'm the hall
Through the east entrance OF the
building came. hOcking beVies of light
and color the guests bent on enjoying
the gavest night of Topeka's opening
society season. Two hundred people
saw the ball from the east balcony, IN
addition to the dancers.
Among the first to enter the naIl
We're MP. ana Mrs. O. s. sutton
Throughout the evening, while unen-
gagged Mrs. Sutton was the center OF q
group Of admiring guests who pressed
forward to offer their congra tulauons
for the success achieved in the man
agement of the ball None but express
sious OF commentator were heard dur
ing the evening, and the participants
i'm the event aided Mrs sutton i'm re-
a1izing that the ball was thoroughly
and completely q grand affair.
The BAH last night was probably UNI
like any other ball participated i'm by
Topeka. society 1t was larger. the
decorations were more original, the
toilettes were more exquisite and every
appointment was superb in u WORD,
was q perfect social OCCASION ne
charity ball of 1896 viii long be re-
1nembered by the fashionable people of
THE grand march led by MT Edward
Wilder and Mrs. c.. s. sutton and Mr.
Thomas King and Miss EDNA AlcOlln-
took. opened an evening of unequaled
pleasure Between the numbers 10y
lTarshalI's and Gormly's bands and
Watson's orchestra. the Alhambra
mandolin club played From the time
the grand march commenced, tAe cam
vassad floor presented an animated
To Il spectator in either balcony the
picture was beautiful Enclosed as
they were. lin a wall Of green palms ana
them. the dancers crossed and recrOssed
the white floor i'm the Whirl of the waltz
or the lively time of the tWO-step. the
spectacle continuous and everchanglng-
Tn the reception rooms at either side
of the west balcony tete-a-tete corners
were arranged and to these We're q f
tracted many of the young people. The.
rooms were handsomely furnished with
furniture from private homes.
During the entire evening group of
gentlemen could be found in the dress
ing room downstairs smoking and tell
ms stories Mr. d. A. Clements formed
the center of one of the groups.
There was much go0d-natured badin-
age about the little lift between Ars.
Sutton and Governor Morrill,. Said Mr.
Edward Wilder last night. There are
Two tnlngs regret ABOUT the ball one
is that Governor Norril is not here to
enjoy. for ] am sure he could not but
help 10 enjoy such am occasion as this
The other is that I missed two dances. 30
To Mrs sutton the joking remark
''Where are Governor Morrills nail
holes was made probably hundred
Another topic of interest was the
comparison of the charity BAN of last
year with the charity bali of last night
'.In my opinion ' said AIr- w w. Webb.
s'there is absolutely no comparison. The
ban this year far purchases the ball of
last year. This opinion was shared by
all present at the ball
The only untoward incident during
the entire evening was the breaking
loose af the canvas al the north side of
the han This occurred during a waltz.
Ut was soon remedied. however by the
lanttors and attendants superintendent
by ME- George Eagle and several other
ErntleHtFn VINO let go all consideration
for their dress suits and knelt ON the
floor and pulled with might and main
on the heavy canvas.
Pink was the pred0minating color in
the ladies gowns, and this fact caused
MrThQmas King to grow enthusiastic,
III am 50 glad So many 81 the ladies'
are wearing pink gowns tonight said
Mr.. King. in my opinion 1T is by far
the prettiest color FOR a ban gown
The combination of the pink dresses
and the greenery about the room made
the hall look like rose garden
The appearance of Mrs. c.. Fl. More
house at the BAN last night was COM
mented upon by number Of ladies as
being strikingly like the picture 81
Princess AMne" i'm the book of the
same name written by Richard Harding
Davis Mrs Morehouse resides in Den
yer and is visiting Mrs. c. II. Hudson
in this city.