The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-01-03
JOYFUL NEW YEARS DAY
CELEBRATION IN THIS CITY EIS
 QUITE GENERAL.
Stores, Shops and Factories Closed and Employes Spent Their Whole Day In Divers Ways-Many Receptions Held -Theaters Crowded.

Divers Ways-Many Receptions Held
 -Theaters Crowded.
 The celebration of New Years day in
 this city yesterday was much more gen.
 eral than it has been in former years,
 There were many causes for rejoicing
 and they probably had the effect of
 causing the celebration to be partici-
 pated in by more people than usual.
 The year of 1898 was an eventful one
 and especially for those residing in the
 United States. In this city there was
 cessation of business to the extent
 that all the larger houses, many of the
 smaller ones and nearly all the shops
 and factories were closed down for tEe
 day. The employees spent the day in various ways. The theaters did land office business, playing to standing room at both the afternoon and even- ing performances. Bowling hall was crowded in the afternoon with polo en- thusiasts who saw good game or polo and also saw their favorites down the Hartford team by a good score Quite large number of persons jour neyed out to Lake Whitney, only to find that the rain of Saturday and the snow that followed had spoiled the skating almost completely.
 The Fair Haven and Westville Rail- road company sent gang of men out to the lake early yesterday morning to clear away the snow, but after the snow had been cleared from portion of the skating surface it was found that skating would be impossible In consequence the attempt was aban- doned. An effort may be made to flood the surface of the lake, but this action has not been definitely decided upon. The flooding of outdoor surfaces has not been altogether successful, in that it very seldom freezes smooth enough to make skating on it a pleasure. Most of the clubs in the city kept "open house. during a greater part of the af- ternoon and the receptions given by them extended far into the night.
 The Quinnipiack club invited between 500 and 1000 of their friends to be pres ent from 8 to Il o'clock and large number accepted of the hospitality of the club. The reception was entirely informal. There was no attempt at elaborate decorations, but the whole house presented a very attractive ap- pearance Caterer Tleming served a dainty luncheon and Robinson's orches- tra played a pleasing programme or music The house committee in charge was composed of F. A. Munson, Char4es Kimberly and H. s. Holcomb.
 At the Republican league there was reception to members of the league and their friends. The hours were from to 10. The Oriental room. which has just been furnished, was opened for the first time and it proved very inter- esting place to all those who attended the reception. The large table in the private dining room was beautifully ar ranged and prettily decorated. Varl- colored candelabra, palms and potted plants were used with good taste. The house committee was in charge.
 From 5 until 12 o'clock the Knights of St. Patrick entertained their friends at their elegant club house on Temple street, corner of Crown. The reception was informal and highly enjoyable. Sev eral hundred friends called during the evening. A collation. was served and an orchestra added to the pleasures of the affair. M. Dillon, Dr. M. c. OConnor and J. J. Kennedy composed the com mittee in charge.
 The Knights Templar kept open house for a large number of their friends last evening. The reception was held in their hall.
 At the Young Mems Republican club yesterday from in the afternoon until 12 at night, open house, in the full
 @l,o de Io h fully observed than at any of the other clubs in the city. All the afternoon and evening, with a short intermission at supper time only, the constant stream of callers kept up, all bent upon testing { the well known hospitality of the club. Inside, reception committee composed of one hundred of the best natured of the members attended to each and ev- cry visitor, and showed them the hos pitalities of the club.
 In nearly every room was refresh ing bowl of lemonade with smiling and lowing colored attendant ready to help the visitors to whatever they re- uuired. All the rooms were decorated | in a beautiful manner and from the roof garden to the bowling alley the house presented q very pretty sight.
 But the mecca of all travellers was the big hall beyond, and the stream which flowed into that refreshing rasort seemed almost amending. Here a regu- lar New Years dinner was served with turkey salad, cranberry sauce, coffee and ice cream, while Wells orchestra in the little gallery above discoursed sweet music.
 The usual number of callers came and paid their respects, and many more be- sides: and it is thought that over 5000 went through the doors during the hours named.
 At the Y. M c. A. the house was crowded nearly all day long and the continuous musical programme was greatly enjoyed by everybody. Begin hing in the morning, the juniors were reated to slight lunch, after which a short entertainment was given, as fol ows:
 
 Piano Solo-Miss F. V. Preston. Remarks-Kenneth Robie.
 Vocal Solo-A. s. osborn.
 Piano Solo--Mr. Nichols
 Cornet Soo--Richard North. 3emarks--W. G. Lotze.
 In the afternoon an athletic contest vas given in the gymnasium. During he interval in the musical entertain nent the glee club sang some of their popular selections, and in the evening a ,