The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO.
Mrs. w. p. Noble Reigning Belle
some Notable Entertainments.

NTra. w. p Noble a Reigning belle
some Notable Entertainments.
THE nassing of beautiful woman, who
has been a much-sought-after belle In ner
day. always brings to mind some occasion
in which she figured Such was the case
last week when the announcement was
made Of the death OF Mrs. Winston p. Mo-
BILE. A group of friends were talking OF
the days when she was young married
woman and one of the handsomest women
in Indiana. 1t was on the evening or the
opening of the United States Arsenal, in
the summer of 1867 or 6S The Drol Club
a social organization, had the affair In
charge and gave grand bali. The armory
was completed, and the broad expanse OF
floor was thought to be just the place for
a great ball. The room was decorated with
boughs of trees yards and yards of vines,
q plentiful display of flags. and there was
a band to supply the proper kind and guam
tity of music.
Mrs Noble was conspicuous for her ele-
gance and beauty. She wore a gown OF
dove-grsy silk and her jewels were strands
of corals Her black hair, fair complexion
and rosy cheeks were well worth admira>
ton. The opening quadrille was partici-
pated in by the officers of the club, and Mrs.
Noble, as the wife of one, was in it. She
was the observed of all. In bringing to
mind the arsenal ball, one and another Of
the group was led to talk of other gather
ings.
There was the great Lord ball, given by
Mr.. and Mrs. John M Lord, who lived in
the Ricketts, property, which is now pub
lie school, at the corner of Pennsylvania
and North streets. The date was New Years
night. 1t was unusually warm for that sea-
cf~snr
and wraps of medium warmth. When they
assembled the atmosphere was comfortable;
when 1t came time To go home the Their
mometer had made sudden drop of thirty
or forty degrees. 1t was with absolute SUI
fering that the people made their way to
their homes, and when they arrived they
fires There was no weather bureau to
warn them. and the Lord ball is chiefly re-
membered for the mercural drop.
Another grand party of more than twenty
years ago, one that came next III the con-
Velsation, was that OF Mrs. William Brad
eu who then lived where the Public Library
nav stands. IL was a spacious house, de-
y olished many years ago, and had broad
he'll in the center and staircase leading
to the second floor. 1t was one OF the first
parties ever given where platform for
dancing was placed In the yard. While the
men were putting down the platform hum
dreds of people hung over the fence to
watch operations. After the floor was down
the entrance, from a long French window,
was arranged and a screen of canvas sep
arated IL from the street. The hidden sights,
however beautiful. were one thing. but the
band that furnished the music could not be
silenced beyond the canvas, and scores of
people listened to it until o'clock in the
morning. That was the day when big
party meant big party. There were hun
dreds OF guests, elaborate decorations and
"A supper that was OF several courses and
served all the evening.
Another grand reception was that given
by Governor and Mrs o. p Morton at the
corner Of Pennsylvania and New York
streets. The double house was made into
one by door on each floor The whole two
floors were used for the reception and a
fine supper was served upstairs. There were
prominent men and women at that party
and after the guests had gone Governor
and Mrs. Morton, General and Mrs. Har-
rison and others equally notable in that
day. adjourned 70 the supper room and
talked the party over.
Another event of many years ago was the
masquerade given by Major and Mrs J.
was not particularly new. but whenever
hostess sent out cards for one no one
thought Of sending regrets. Costumes were
procured, no matter how much the trouble
The event in question was of much irnpor-
lance. and the spacious parlors and dining
room Of the big house were open 10 one
OF the Dlerriest lots of dancers ever gath
cred in the city.
speaking of that masquerade" said one
OF the party. reminds me of something
about which / often think, and which /
shall always recall as the funniest thing /
ever saw. One OF the women who was pres
mt went into a case OF Mysteries and her
'@1esd became alarmed Do you remem-