Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-01-07

INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES CUL-
INMATE AT THE GYMNASIUM.
BRILLIANT FUNCTION
Beautiful Decorations and Glossy
Gowns Make a Dazzling Scene
Dancing is Preceded by Reception
of An Hour-A Program With Cd
Fashioned Numbers.
Madison, Jan. !

Inauguration festivities eliminated
fittingly in grand ball at the univer-
sity gymnasium. The function was
not as pretentioils as was that of two
years ago, when the fact that a new
party was assuming control and the
entrance Of brand new set of officials
all around seemed to justify a greater
demonstration. There was no appar
emit lack in the number of people
present, however, and only the most
observant could have noticed any de-
terioratiOn in the brilliancy Of the
gowns worn. The scene was a dazzling
one, though the decorations did not
surpass those of other festive functions
held there They were, however, very
beautiful F. w. Bresee had this
matter in hand. The most marked
feature of the decorations was a huge
arch, suspended from the ceiling and
reaching almost across the hall. This
arch carried in huge letters of the
national colors the word ''WiscOnsin"
and was beautified with palm leaves
and incandescent lights. Streamers
of holly and smilaX trailed from the
corners and sides of the hall to the
center. Large flags also hung in
festoons. At the east side of the
gymnasium was a large platform with
a handsome floral arch. The platform
was almost entirely concealed in palms
and potted plants and contained Lued-
ers' First Regiment orchestra of
twenty-one pieces. At the north end
of the hall was platform slightly
raised where the gubernatorial party
and the reception committee received
the people. The platform was set off
by a frame work, handsomely embel-
lished with flags, palms and ribbons
and held shields of red, white and blue
bearing the word wisconsin.
The dancing was preceded by a re-
ception to the citizens which began at
8 o'clock. Long before that hour,
however, the floor was alive with peo-
pie, the public nature of the occasion
attracting many who came simply to
see the decorations and the costumes.
The gallery was supposed to be re-
oCI FCu loI ouSli F10LIOlo, Jul,
bering the experience of two years
ago, it was thought that this would
be sadly deficient and the floor of the
gymnasium was given up. Before
the doors were opened d considerable
crowd was surging for admission and
shortly after all roads seemed to lead
to the imposing brick structure by the
| lake. The guests of honor entered
from the side stairway in the rear of
the orchestra platform and were es-
| corted to the reception platform.
! The reception committee consisted
of Mayor and Mrs. Dye, Senator elect
and Mrs c. B. Welton, Col and
Mrs. A. H. HOLSTER, Maj and Mrs. F.
W. Oakley, Judge and Mrs. E. w.
Keyes, Mr. and Mrs. Breese J. Stew
ems, Senator and Mrs. R. NJ. Bashford
Mr.. and Mrs. John J. Suhr, Prof. and
Mrs. w. A. Henry, Mr.. and Mrs.
| John A. Johnson, Prof and Mrs
Rasmus B. Anderson, ex-Alderman
and Mrs. w. R. Bagley, Prof. and
Mrs. E. A. Birge, Col. and Mrs. w.
J. Anderson, ex-United States Rail-
road Commissioner and Mrs H. A (.
| Taylor, Mr.. and Mrs. George Raymer
! Col. and Mrs. M. r. Doyon, Speaker
/ George B. Burrows and S. B. Toud.
! Mayor and Mrs. A. A. Dye led the
! way to the platform, followed by Gov
and Mrs. Scofeld, the state officers
and ex-Gov. and Mrs. Upham. In in
| Producing the guests the entire COM
mittee served. each member taking a
down the line.
After the reception which occupied
an hour the grand march was begun
! being led by Mr.. and Mrs. O. D.
Brandenburg, the former being the
chairman of the floor committee
Following them came Gov. and Mrs.
! Scofeld and the other state officers,
Gov. and Mrs. Upham bringing up
the rear of the official party. Next
CO me the members of the general and
reception committee with their wives
The grand march lasted nearly twenty
minutes, considerable difficulty being
! experienced in clearing a way for the
moving column. The executive set
was then formed near the reception
! platform. This consisted of Gov and
Mrs. Scofield, eX-Gov. Upham anu Mrs
| W. L. Buck, Senator and Mrs. R. M q.
! Bashford, Mayor and Mrs, A. A. Dye
! The ladies of the set of honor were
! handsomely gowned. Mrs. Scofield wore
| gray silk, trimmed with white silk
and diamonds; Mrs Buck, pink silk
with chiffon, trimmed with green vel
vet and lace, diamonds; Mrs Bash
| ford, brocaded silk, waist covered with
! jetted net, diamonds; Mrs Dye. black
silk, trimmed with black and gold
| passamentrie, diamonds.
The floor committee consisted of o.
! D. Brandenburg, Prof. Julius E. O.
son, Gen. Charles King, S. B. Todd
/ Henry Villas, H. B. Hobbins, c.. F.
Spensley, Robert Upham, S. W. Gill
man, H. E. Briggs, Knox Kinney
Frank NJ. Wootton and Stanley C.
Hanks, Madison; Gen Otto H. Falk
and George N. Wiswell, Milwaukee;
Major G. R. Boardman and H. |.
Weed, Oshkosh; F. NJ. Owens, Fond
du Lac; William A Jackson. James
vile; Col. G. A. Carter, Mendoza: and
Charles Miner, Racine.
After the Official party and a number
of the leading society people had with
H.