The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-19
DANCED FOR CHARITY.
Four Thousand People Attended the
RnII md Snxy the President.

CHICAGO, Oct. 1S.-Four thousand peo-
pie danced at the Auditorium tonight for
the benefit of the suffering soldiers and sail
ors who fought in the war with Spain Both
in a financial sense and in a social way the
ball was distinguished success 1t was In
fact equal in all respects to the great ball
given on the same floor six years ago at the
time Of the dedication of the worlds fair
buildings The attendance was even great
er tonight than at the great ball of six
years ago. The object of the dance Of to-
night was charity. and the people of Chi
cago and the surrounding States who had
come to the city to witness the jubilee cere-
monies gave with a lavish hand. The
throng was so great in fact that for a
time it was not possible to dance upon the
floor and the people were compelled to con-
tent themselves with the lessr delight of
the promenade and concert music
There was practically no effort at decora-
tions. The Auditorium is a hall when
cannot be decorated Festoons of snilax.
groupings Of banners and streamers of
bunting only detract from tbs beauty OF the
hall itself. A small festoon of American
beauty roses hung before the box from
hich the President viewed the ball, ana
directly opposite a similar decoration was
placed beneath the box in which the
Chinese and Corean ministers were seated
The hour set for the reception OF the
President and distinguished guests was 1881
and half an hour before that time the re-
ception committee, headed by Mrs. Potter
Palmer in a costume of black velvet and
wearing ornaments of pearls and attended
by Marshall Field, took up its station be-
hind long ribbons of red, white and blue
that has been stretched across the hall
Here they waited for the chief guest of the
evening and punctually TO the minute, the
President appeared, Chairman Truax, of the
jubilee reception committee being on MS
right and Mayor Harrison upon his left;
The orchestra rendered THE Star-Spangled
Banner and all in the hall remained stand
ing as the presidential party made its way
across the floor to the reception committee.
over, and the greetings having been ex-
changed between the President and his
hosts. he made his way to the box reserved
for his use. the throng applaudlng entnu-
s;astically. For fully ten minutes after
reaching his box the President was Kept
bowling TO right and left in acknowledge
ment of the greeting that came to him. lie
left the hall about midnight; going to the
residence of Lafayette McWillams.
Shortly before the arrival of President
Mckinley there was massing of dark
uniforms and a glitter of gold lace at the
entrance Of the hail. and then long column
of fighting men, headed by the tall form of
General Miles, moved across the floor in
the direction of the reception committee.
General Miles received most enthusiastic
Generals Chaffee and Shafter, who were
close behind him, We're also the recipients of
great applause. Following close after the
men in blue and gold were the Chinese and
Corean embassies and other visiting digni-
taries including the speakers at the mass
meeting in the forenoon, Archbishop Ire
land and Judge Speer.
AS soon as the President had reached his
box the orchestra struck up Strauss waltz
and the ball was formally opened, but for
a time there was no dancing. 1t was, In
fact not possible at that time for anybody
to dance. so great was the throng pressing
out On the floor and coming in through
every entrance. Gradually the crowd passed
to the seats in the upper part of the hall
and then the dancers had full swing on the
floor below. 1t was nearly daylight when
the last dancing number came to conclu-
sion and the jubilee ball was over.
Socially the affair was all its promoters
wished for it, and financially it surpassed
their expectations. about $4,000 being real
lied for the benefit of the soldiers and sail
CrS