The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-05

The presidential party arrived at the
ball at a quarter before 10 O'Clock, but
they came in so quietly that only those
about the door were aware of their
presence. The president and his wife
were escorted by Gen. Nelson A. Mics
and Gen. J. NJ. Wilson, of the army
After them came Vice President Ho-
bart with Mrs. Hobart Mr. John Addl-
son Porter, the presidents secretary;
the presidents brother. Abner Mckln-
ley and several members OF the NC
Kinley and Hobart families.
HANDSOME GOWNS.
Mrs McKinley's gown was of pale gray bro
caded satin tinted from the gray to blue. 1t
is lined throughout with blue silk and the
skirt is a stately braid with three panels OF
embroidered brocade. The waist has huny
fchue of rare point d'alencon, producing
decolette effect. The sleeves are full length
and finished with a wide frill OF lace. me
lace at the corsage was caught with diamond
pins and she wore brilliant sunburst in her
hair.
Mrs. Mckinley, mother Of the president.
was of the most sought for women OF
the ball, and in her stately black SATIN gown,
trimmed in rare old lace and half length
train, she looked quite handsome enough to
be the presidents mother.
Mrs Barber, the only sister of Mrs. Nc
Kinley, wore handsome black MORE an
tique trimmed with Venetian lace. The
skirt was a full demi-train and was trimmed
with the lace. The bodice was cut low and
edged with Venetian lace. She wore diamond
ornaments in her hair and several handsome
diamond pins.
Miss Helen Mckinley, sister of the presi-
dent, wore a gray MORE silk trimmed with
: chiffon and point lace. The waist was dec
olette in effect, filled with the lace and the en-
, tire gown was one of the most simple ana yet
most beautiful of the ball. She wore dia-
mond ornaments at her corsage and ostrich
tips in her hair.
Mrs. Abner Mckinley was gowned hand
I somely in "a pearl blue brocaded satin. The
bodice was decollette and trimmed in pearl
s butterflies and Venetian lace. The girdle was
of pearls and brilliants. She wore an ex-
3 qisite, collar Of pearls ana diamonds and
diamond crescent and aigrette in her hair.
Miss Sarah Duncan, niece of President Nc
Kinley and one of the most beautiful girls
at the ball. was gowned in pink brocaded satin
with chiffon trimmings.
Miss Barber, daughter of Mrs. McKinley's
sister, was gowned girlishly in white NOUS
selin de sole over figured silk.
Miss Grace Mckinley was gowned in white
satin hrocade and chiffon.
Miss Mabel Mckinley, daughter of Abner
Mckinley was dressed in white brocaded
silk embroidered in lilies of the valley. 1t
was decolIette, and halfway around the front
was a spray of the lilies.
Mrs. Saxton, aunt OF Mrs Mckinley was
gowned in black MORE satin. Chiffon was
worn at the neck, which was caught into
place by diamond pins.
Mrs Hobart is still in mourning, and was
in consequence simply gowned, but despite It's
simplicity her dress was one Of the hand
soonest in the ball room. 1t was white satin
with full sweeping train. The bodice was
cut low and edged with a fall of rare cid
Venetian lace, which also outlined the revers
and vest and had short puff sleeves of satin
and lace. Mrs. Hobart wore diamond and
pearl necklace, and had a butterfly of dia-
monds, with white ostrich tips, in her hair.
She carried immense bouquet of American
Beauty roses.
Mrs. Gage wife of the secretary of the
treasury was gowned simply in white bro
caded satin, trimmed in pink roses and guam
titles of old lace She wore a magn1n-
of1 dc nd had diamonds
in her hair.
Mrs. Sherman. wife Of Secretary Sherman,
looked the stately, gracious woman which
she has always been in a handsome Dlack
mofre antique satin gown trimmed deliberately
with Venetian lace.
Mrs Alger was gowned in white satin,
with green velvet bodice embroidered with
rhine stones, short satin sleeves covered
with lace ruff1es. magnificent diamond
star and crescent were worn on her bodice,
and in her hair she wore brilliant dia-
mond aigrette
Miss Alger wore white MORE. with garni-
ture Of pink roses, over which was grace
fully draped white tulle embroidered In green
silk
Mrs. James A. Gary wore pale gray satin,
trimmed with duehesse lace.
Miss Gary, rose-coiored MORE. trimmed
with liberty chiffon and duchesse lace
Miss Ida c. Gary, beautiful creation or
lilac silk richly trimmed with old point
lace and lilac blossoms.
Miss Jessie A. Gary, pale blue SATIN with
hounces of duchesse lace.
Miss Madeline Gary, pale yellow satin,
trimmed with orchids.
made one of brocaded silk of deep ricn
corn color. The suit was court train and
lined with lavender silk. She wore hand
some diamond necklace and TIARA OF Cne
same stones in her hair. ...
Miss Hanna a grfish costume OF
white gauze and chiffon over green taffeta
silk.
Miss Lillian Hanna, sister Of Mr.. Mark
Hanna wore an exquisite broeaded satin
gown, the bodice cut decollette.
Mrs. Leonard Hanna wore an elegant Paris
model Paruuin-made gown of blue mirror
velvet On her neck magnificent rope
of pearls and diamonds, and a necklace OF
diamonds each of which were large enough
to have been a solitaire
THE BALL OPENED.
The party was ushered up the main
staircase to the second floor where a
suite Of rooms was reserved. After a
few moments, in which Mrs. McKin-
ley's wraps were removed, the party
moved into that room. ordinarily the
office of the commissioner of pensions,
where they received the most diStin-
guished guests. Mrs. Mckinley sat in
a big velvet upholstered arm chair,
while the guests were presented. the
president standing at her right. Gen.
Wilson made the presentations. and
to each of those who paid their re-
sPects, President Mckinley gave a cor
Qldl nanQSndko. Inc Vile
extended her hand to a few OF those
best known to her, but most of the
greetings she acknowledged by bow.
1t soon became apparent that Mrs.
Mckinley would not be able to receive
the public 50 after she had been in the
building for half an hour. it was
thought best by MI Mckinley that she
should retire from the exciting turmoil.
Therefore, the doors were closed
against many notables who desired to
enter. President and Mrs. Mckinley
and the remainder of the party de-
scen1ed to the dancing floor.
Before the presidential party emerged
upon the floor, long aisle had been
made across the hall. lined by members
of the hall committee The president,
with Mrs Mckinley on his arm, moved
slowly along, smiling and bowling in
response to the low murmered greet
ings, from both sides. Mrs. Mckinley
smiled happily and sweetly. The par
ty entered a supper room at the west
end If the building, especially reserved
and decorated fer them. Here they
partook of light refreshments. In
few minutes they emerged from the
supper room and returned as they had
come, through an aisle. Mr.. and Mrs.
Mckinley immediately entered their
carriage and were driven back to the
White house. 1t was shortly after IL
O'Clock when they took their departure
The ball was now formally opened.
ALL EFFORTS oUTDoNE.
The decorations of the inaugural ball
room in artistic beauty and harmonious
treatment overShadowed anything Of
the kind hitherto seen in Washington
About $4,000 had been expended By
the committee in adornment of the
great court of the pension building
and, as a result. it had undergone a