The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-01
BALL IN DEwEY's HONOR.
Greatest Event of the Kind I'm the
History of the Windy City.

of the great Auditorium has there been
within its walls a sight more beautiful than
that revealed tonight when the great ball
given in honor of Admiral Dewey was at
its height. There have been festal oc-
casions without number i'm the great hail;
dances for charity; balls in honor of illus
trious civilians, famous soldiers and dis
tinguished foreigners-but tonight was the
first time that Chicago has had within her
gates as guest distinguished representa-
tive of the American navy, the first time
she has been permitted to pay her tribute
of honor and respect to the victor of Ma
Mia bay, and she utilized the opportunity
to the full. There was nothing wanting. 1t
was a decisive success from first TO last in
all details, from the decorations of the
walls, to the reception proper, which was
rendered to the admiral. There were pres
ent perhaps. somewhat too many people to
allow of all dancing in comfort, had ALL or
half of them cared to dance at one time.
But when the dance programme proper
was fairly under way. the older people
sought the boxes and the spacious foyer,
leaving the floor to the younger people.
who used it until dsybreak. Fully two
thousand people were present.
1t being a naval ball, the predominating
decorations were of white and green.
canopy was drawn over the hall, making
IL resemble huge white-capped wave, the
deep green at the bottom shading softly in
to the purest white at the topmost edge.
At intervals round the tiers of boxes were
placed white galleons, which seemingly
started from the mist of bunting, and deli
cate-hued electric lights, concealed few
feet from the prov, where dolphins arose
from the imaginary sea below. Above each
galleon rose a towering mast, bearing in
relief lions head, and futtering with the
signal flags of the navy. Behind the figure
head of each galleon stood a sailor-a vet
eran of the Spanish-American war-who
saw active service in the Caribbean sea.
Until after the admiral left the hall these
men stood steadily peering out over the
prov of the fanciful and beautiful ship. The
bases on which the galleons rested. the box
fronts above. and higher yet, the ratings
of the balconies, were fashioned with the
prevailing colors of green and white, while
between each two boxes and at either end
of the low tiers the national colors were
| artistically grouped with the union jack.
Long festoons of electric lights marked
alternately by yellow lanterns and Jap
anese lanterns of many shades. hung from
| top 10 top of the great white masts, ex-
! tending around the hail. On the right and
| the left of what is usually the stage of the
| great theater were erected platforms of
! honor, on the first of which admiral and
| Mrs. Dewey were seated within handshak-
| ing distance of those upon the dancing
foor. Upon the second platform were seat
ed Mayor and Mrs. Harrison.
| Behind the admirafs box was hung a
mammoth admirals flag bearing the four
white stars of his rank. A canopy re-
splendent with gold braid hung over each
| box to protect those within from the glare
of the many lights which shone from the
ceiling and sides of tie hall. At each of
the two entrances toveach box stood lat
attention" two sailors from the first ships
| from the Illinois naval militia.
| The doors of the ballroom were opened
| at $50 and one-half hour later the patron
| esses and managers of the ball, who form
ed the reception committee. assembled in
| the ladies room at the south end of the
| foyer Headed by Mayor Harrison and
Mrs. Arthur Cation. the committee entered
the ballroom, and behind two long strands
of silken ribbons took their stand at the
north end of the hall, there awaiting the
distinguished guests. At the right of the
line stood Mayor Harrison; next to MIN
Mrs. Arthur Cation; on Mrs. Catons left
Mrs. Bryan Lathrop. chairman of the ladies
reception committee, then followed lone
line of managers and patronesses.
AS soon as the reception committee ha6
| taken position there was a glitter of golc
and fiutter of lace at the rear door of the
second tier of boxes on the south side oi
the hall and Admiral and Mrs. Dewey en-
| tered, followed by throng of less distin
| guished guests. Immediately behind the
admiral came, with their wives, the nava
officers on duty in Chicago and the officer:
of the United States steamer Michigan.
Behind the navy came the army. headed
by Maj. Gen. James f. Wade and Mrs
Wade, officers of General wade's staff
with their wives. and officers of the garri
son at Fort Sheridan and their wives
Officers of the revenue service followed
and behind them came Brig. Gen. Charles
Fitzsimmons, commanding the Firs
Brigade of the Illinois National Guard
and Mrs. Fitzsimmons, members of Gen
| Fitzsimmons's staff, with their wives clos
ing the procession of the city's guests.
The admiral and Mrs. Dewey after the,
had exchanged greetings with the member
of the reception committee took their stant
at Mayor Harrisons right. and to then
were presented the guests of the city, VIII,
had followed them into the hall. Thei
| came in long lines the guests OF the ball
| all who desired being afforded an oppor
tunity of greeting the admiral and hi
wife. There was no grand march. she ad
| mirais party retiring to his box when TIT
line of guests had passed. and the orchestr;
striking up De Koven's two-step, '.Th
Dragons" the floor was surrendered to tn
| dancers.
At midnight the admiral and Mrs. Dewe,
| left the hall for a luncheon In their hono
given I'm adjoining room by Hobart G
| chatfield-Taylor. and then after returnin,
TO the ballroom for a brief interval he an'
his party retired
IN THE JURY'S HANDS.