The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-28
The Magnificent Building Thronged
with Guests Throughout
tho Evening.
NOT DEFERRED BY WEATHER
ABOUT TWELVE HUNDRED PERSONS
INSPECTED THE BUILDING.
It's Natural Beauty Enhanced by the
Brilliant Observation-Disclosures
lures OF the Reception.

the reception in the new Columbia CluD
building last night. Although the reception
was announced TO begin at o'clock and
end at IL, streams of carriages continued
to flow past the magnificent entrance OF
the clubhouse, depositing their scores of
richly dressed occupants, almost to the
closing hour. Such remarkable outpour-
ing has rarely been seen at any social func-
ton before in this city.
A more isagreeable evening. as to
weather, could scarcely have been selected
for the event, yet the steady downpour of
rain and the wretched, stopped condition
Of the streets and sidewalks seemed rather
to drive people to the reception than to
keep them away. Admirers of spectacles
that SAVIOR of the bizarre took great delight
in strolling at intervals on to the spacious
loggia overlooking Monument Place and
taking surveys of the scores of vehicles in
the circle beneath, with their damp tops
rejecting the radiance from the myriads
Of electric lights around. An awning
stretching from the curb to the very en-
trance of the clubhouse enabled the guests
to enter the grand hall in as complete
state Of dryness and comfort as when they
left their homes.
/ LARGE NUMBER OF GUESTS.
The number of guests was not counted,
but various estimates were made by Of
ficers of the club, and these ranged from
one thousand to twelve hundred. 1t is like
ly that the latter figure is more nearly cor
rect than the former. Everywhere in the
brilliantly lighted building women in re-
splendent gowns and men in full evening
dress were standing still or moving about,
throughout the evening, always admiring
the regal luxury and fairylike beauty of its
wonderful interior. One of the most con-
spicuous features of the building and its
splendid furnishings is that, despite its
palatial magnifcence, there is not a piece
Of furniture In the entire structure that is
not perfectly adapted to and comfort.
In the library the guests looked in amaze
ment at club members sitting with the ut
most nonchalance and absolute content at
a table the like OF which could scarcely be
found anywhere else in the entire country.
Anywhere one might wander he could
observe people engaged in quiet conversa-
ton sitting upon chairs, each of which is
verftable study in art. 1t may be said with
propriety that all of the rich complement
Of furniture, including chairs, divans.
tables, sofas and escritoires in the new
Columbia Club building were especially
made for the club from original designs
by one of the greatest artists in elegant
u,
whose writings on this subject are eagerly
sought by magazine publishers Beauty is
the key note of the architectural and deco
rative scheme Of the edifice, but beauty
always resting on solid and enduring
foundation of utility and serviceableness.
The great ballroom on the fifth floor Just
beneath the roof garden, is a veritable
dream of splendor with its imposing Doric
pillars, it's rich ceiling In deep relief high
~ ornamented with designs in fresco and
its delicately tinted walls-the whole made
dazzling by score Of insandescent lights
buried in the stucco of the ceiling or pro-
jecting from intricately wrought brass
candelabra-
THE LIVING ROOMS.
The two floors devoted to the clubs liy-
ing apartments for out-of-town guests were
thronged with visitors during the entire
evening. Here one was impressed with the
striking originality Of the creator of this
wonderful building. Each living room has
an individuality of it's own and is as COM
plete and inviting in it's appointments as
an apartment in a private mansion posi-
bly, could be. The beds are Of unique de-
sign in lacquered iron, fitted with mat
inviting refreshing slumber even In their
state of unadornment-the covers and
spreads not having been received as yet
A feature that excited the interest and sur
prise of all the visitors to these apartments
is the novel arrangement by which a Sleep
er can by pressing button under his pill
low instantly flood his room with radiance
without having to stumble around in the
darkness to find the place to turn on the
electric light. Some of the women ven
tured the belief that this was luxury car
lumbia Club TO be in every way the most
inviting place to be found anywhere said
DR.. Hays
Delightful music was furnished through
ha hu ~ Orr
toned in the salon on the second floor
There was no dancing, because everybody
was too busily engaged in examining and
admiring the points Of interest and beauty
in the many rooms of the building. 1t would
be difficult task, indeed, to fix upon one
part of the edifice the richest or most
picturesque. Starting with the top floor,
containing the splendid ballroom in Italian
renaissance, going to the two floors direct
ly beneath, with their charm of individual
ity and originality, thence to the salon and
parlorS, with their handsome and impress
sive hangings of costly, heavy tapestry;
then TO the first floor, with its enhancing
library, absolutely unique in its architec-
tural design, and the bewilderingly beauti-
full entrance hall, ending in the basement
scarcely less inviting or alluring than any
of the floors aboye-one's eyes are dazzled
almost wearied, by the unbroken panorama
OF splendor that unfolds before them.
A SOURCE OF PRIDE.
A month might be spent in the study and
enjoyment of this marvellous building,
which is at the same time a lasting monu-
ment and source of never-ending pride to
the citizens of Indianapolis. regardless of
their membership or nonmembership in the
club.
dainty luncheon was served i'm the
| spacious and luxurious dining roCm decor
ated in the style of the French renaissance.
which far from being sufficiently
capacious TO accommodate the crush of
guests. This splendid apartment is one of
| the most delightful places in the building.
| Its woodwork is in harmonious tones II
| natural green. graduated from a pale spring
| tint, almost white at the base, to deeper,
| richer and warmer hues above with an
effect that battles adequate description.
| Here q dyspeptic might almost find mis-
appetite return, drawn by the gentle CON-
| rulsion of aestheticism.
The president and officers OF the club,
| accompanied by their wives. formed re-
| ceiving party I'm the great bay of the draw
| ing rooms on the second floor Here for
more than two hours the members, their
| families and guests were presented formal
| ly and Immediately made to feel at perfect
| ease.
No social function in recent years has
| brought to the capital such representa-
| tive gathering of people from outside cities
| and towns. There We're people from nearly
all OF the cities of any Importance In the
| entire State. Each club member was priv
| legged TO bring to the reception such guests
as he might at the time have visiting at his
| home. and the presumption is natural that
many people from over the State seized
| this opportunity 10 enjoy one of the most
| brilliant events of a lifetime.
| ITS BEAUTY AT NIGHT