Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-05

Never in the history of Wheeling
was feminine finery more attractively
shown, and seldom have there been
more persons to attend such a visual
feast. These statements apply TO the
annual spring and summer opening at
Stone & Thomas department store,
which took place last night. No labor
or expense was spared by the firms
decorators in embellishing the interior
of the store. The result was even
more satisfactory in an artistic sense
than upon the occasion of the last
opening, when g feature of the scheme
of decorations was the electrical dis
play. A number of commercial trav-
elers who happened TO be in the city
were especially invited to be present
last evening, and it was their unani-
nous verdict that the display has not
been excelled in any of the big Eastern
department stores in recent years.
Evidences of the decorators skill
confronted the visitor even before en-
tering the doors, as the window dis
plays of silks were exceptionally hand
some. The perfumery department, just
inside the main entrance, was canopied
by grill work of paper tissue, which
furnished an index to the general
scheme of trimming. The middle aisle
of the main building was arched by
smilax grill work of green tint, with
roses, carnations, crysanthemums and
Easter lilies interviewer. The side
aisles were similarly adorned with the
exception that the green was replaced
by light pink. Thousands of flowers
were used in these decorations, and
the general effect was charming.
Besides the beautiful canopies over
the perfumery counters, there were 9th
er special decorations, notably over the
kid glove and pattern counters. These
canopies were magnificent. The outer
side of one consisted of a mass of Ill
les and white chrysanthemums.
In addition to these special efforts
at establishment, the stock of goods
in the store was arranged in the most
attractive fashion. II the wash goods
department, the decorator found an OPP
portunity to demonstrate the fact that
towels, napkins, and linens of other
description, are not only useful but or
namental as well. In the basement
and upper floors of the building, the
decorations were not so elaborate, but
were very pleasing.
A feature of the opening was the
rendition Of popular selections by the
Opera House orchestra, under the lead
ership of Prof. E. w. Spell. The or
chestra was stationed in the south aisle
OF the main building. The pro-
gramme embraced the following num-
bers, not given, however, in the order
in which they were Played:
March-":sars and Stripes .Sousa
selection from opera Fortune Teller,
waiia-;Ifin;dLerc he Moonjtrbt l FetTat
Coon Melody Nhisting Rufus mills
Overture Morning Noon and Night"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Suppe
Waltz selection-"Boys in Blue ........
..,r................... I4aurenqeau
Coon Melody-'Down the Line" 49,. Clark
March from Fortune Teller ......Herbert
Muse Hall FavCrites ................. Clark
Col Fitch March OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Hall
March" Bride Elect" ....-........... Sousa
Waltz-"Litie " mister" ............. Fuerst
The hours Of the reception were
from 1870 until ten O'Clock. The crush
began as soon as the doors were open
ed, and the waiting crowds were per-
mitted to eater. The aisles in the de-
partments were filled at all times by
a constantly pushing mass of humanity
Bonnets were crushed and dresses torn
in the jam, but the crowd was good
natured, and appeared to thoroughly
enjoy the function. When the last Sc
lection had been rendered by the or
ohestra, there were hundreds who were
still reluctant to leave, and it was fully
a half hour later when the store was
cleared, and the most successful open
ing in the history Of the firm was at
an end