Arizona republican., 1899-02-23
NiS Grand Reception at the Hotel
 Adams Last Night.
BEAUHYAND CHIYALRYTHERE
An Event Thai Far OuiShOne All Others of inc Kind Ever Held in PhOenix-DeSCripfiouAbf Some of inc Handsome ToiIetteS Worn. Full List of fhe Many Guests Who Were Invited.

The reception given last night by
 Secretary and Mrs. Charles H. Akers
 to the members of the Twentieth legis-
 lature was the social event of the
 season. It was only nominally a re-
 cepltion to the legislature, fer the
 whole society section of Phoenix and
 the territory was included in the l list of invitations. Response was made 1 from Yuma and Nogales on the south 1 to Kingman and Holbrook on the
 north. Brilliant as was the reception
 ball and banquet lately rendered by the
 citizens of Phoenix to the members of
 the legislature, it was outshone by the
 function prepared by the secretary for l their entertainment.
 | Spacious as his own house is it was
 wholly inadequate for the members | gathered last night to do honor to the l host and hostess and their distin- | guiShed guests. The reception took
 place in the ladies' ordinary and great
 dining hall of the Hotel Adams. There had been a lavish outlay in the prepa- ration. Expense had not been consid-
 cred in the arrangement fer an enter
 tainment which in after years should
 be associated with the social and po-
 litical history of Phoenix and the ter ritory
 The rooms were magnifcently and
 fttingly decorated. A portrait of Washington was hung upon the west
 wall of the ladies' ordinary, where the
 reception proper took place. The other decorations consisted of the national
 coIors, wreaths O. smilax about the
 iron pillars and pcmpas grass. The decorations of the dining hall, which was converted into a ball room, were even more profuse. A great flag was drawn across the east end and the mighty folds of another screened the front of the ball room from the street for two-thirds Of it's length. Here. too. wreaths of smilax were twined about the pillars, and pampas grass waved and nodded in nClOks and corners.
 The warmth of the bright colors of the smilax and the national banners was heightened by the hundreds of gay gowns ct tho ladies. The glowing effect was not depressed by the mo- notonods and gloomy attire of the men.
 The reception began at S:3O. The arriving guests were presented to the secretary and Mrs. AkeIs, who stood beneath the picture of Washington. After hearty handshaking they passed into the ball room or seated them selves about the tables where delicious refreshments were served throughout the evening and night. The last of the guests had passed the host and hostess an hour later, when dancing com n1enced. The orchestra was one Of the largest that has ever furnished inspira- ton to the feet of Phoenix dancers. It was in keeping with the general preparation for the receptoin.
 But all of the several hundred guests could not dance or did not desire to do so. For their entertainment card ta- bles had been arranged in the oFdi- nary and so the night was passed away. At 1 o'clock this mcrning the strains of the orchestra ceased the guests departed and the crowning so- ciaI and semi-public event of the SSaSOn Was at an 6Qu.
 The following is partial descrip- tion of the gowns which enlivened the ball room:
 Mrs. Charles H. Akers were a mag nifcent gown. The skirt was green velvet with pink brocaded satin over skirt en train The waist was deco lette. The front of the wai1t was of pink satin cut away and showing green velvet covered with pearl lace. Pink gloves to the shoulders, where butterfly bows finished off this exquisite toilette.
 Mrs. N. o. Murphy's gown was white brocaded silk, the fancy bodice cut low. and the skirt slightly en train.
 Mrs. B. F. Porter was in black crepon with cut steel trimmings and Mrs. B. J. Bennitt wore gray silk trimmed in point lace.
 Mrs. Harry R. Tritles gown was of heavy white satin with court train, and trimmed in dudhesse lace and white chiffon. The bodice was cut high and the sleeves mousquetaire She carried carnations.
 Mrs. Harvey Helm of Wickenburg was in cream taffeta trimmed in shirred mousselaine de soie and pearl The yoke and front were covered with pearl trimmings.
 Mrs. Judge Doan's gown was white ;hina silk en train. The bodice was ut low and filled in with chiffon, with