The Portland daily press., 1900-10-16
A FASHIONABLE GATHERING
Was Present at Opening of Colonial
Billiard ParIOrs.

The newspaper readers have heard al
about the Colonial Billiard parlors' ano
patrons of the fashionable game We're
present in large numbers when the place
was formally opened yesterday. In order
to provide an additional attraction the
manager had arranged for exhibitions af-
ternoon and evening between Mr.. Fred
Annes and Mr.. M oses Yatter, champions
of the game. The first game was an
nounced for three O'Clock, but shortly al
tsr one patrons began to drop In and be-
fore the hour announced the immense
main parlor was crowded, the ladies' re"
ception parlor contaired it's quota and the
private parIor held reasonable number.
The great crowd, however, was In the
evening. There was no available room
after z 30, and the audience was one OF
the most fashionable ever gathered to-
gether in a public place here A large
number of the gentlemen were in full
dress, the ladies wore dainty evening
toilets and these with the myriad OF
lights shedding forth their illuminations,
the sumptuous luxurious appointments,
presented a charming picture
During the day a careful estimate
placed the number of callers at four
thousand and it is safe to say that fully
one thousand were turned away. The
elevator kept running until midnight,
and even then some Of the visitors seemed
10th to leave. There were nothing but
words of praise heard for the place and
the handsome way it is furnished. The
ladies were especially pleased with the
pains that mad been taken to provide for
their comfort, and others took advantage
of the private billiard rooms, which were
engaged from time to time the entire
evening. The resort, as was indicateEk by
the attendance last night and the spon-
taneous and cordial expressions OF ap-
prOyal heard is something that has long !
been desired here. It provides a genteel
fashionable place where ladies and gen.
tleJnen may assemble, without fear of
hearing or seeing anything In the least
Objectionable, and pleasantly while away
an afternoon or evening. The artistic is
everywhere in evidence In the tables, the |
furniture, the draperies and lights, all |
combine to lend an air of refined taste
and beauty, and yet provide comfort and
convenience.
The audience, afternoon and evening, |
were highly entertained by the experts,
and were liberal in their applause when
good shots were made or tricks of real
merit performed. The callers were to a
large degree, critics and they saw an ex-
hibition wall worth attending.
Mr.. Mathis was warmly congratulated
by all; Hrst upon the appearance of the es-
tablishment he has so finely fitted up,
and second, upon the unqualified success
of the first day. an indication that the
Colonial will be Hberally patronlzed by
the best people of the city during the
winter season. The piYate rooms have al
ready been engaged for nearly every eve
ming during the week. Mr.. Mathis has
also arranged for other exhibitions to be
given, dates for which will be announced
later.
There is no question but that yester-
days opening was far ahead of even the
anticipations of the proprietor and 1t
only remains for US to say that he de-
serves great credit for the enterprise he
has shown in establishing in Portland
the Hrst fashionable billiard and pool re-
sort in the East, and the finest, according
to competent judges, in the country