The age-herald., 1900-02-07

Mrs. Bankhead Prominent in
 Southern Set at Washington

0UukuGIu 0St dk UuSHtItYkOt
 An event of great interest in the southern set at the capital Is the annual ball Of the Sou1aern Relief Society of the District, the proceeds of which are used for the needy southerners residing in Washington. The recent bail was danced in the Ma tional Rifles armory, ard Jle smart assem- blaze was made up of many charming rep resentatives of cut-of-town souaherqers, together with weA-known cote-ies of resi- dential Wasnirgtonians. Amcng the pa tro1E of tfle bad were Mrs. Mckinley, Mrs. Thomas Nelson Page and Mrs. J. H. Bank head, the wife of Representative Bank head of Alabama. Mrs. BanhLlead was among the most admired women 2t the ball, of which a Washington paper says:
 These annual dances have long been famous fer the brilliant throt7gs which re- spond to the announcement, and last night seemed to fairly outdo the records of the past. As the evening advanced the guests ball after the reception at the White House, until IDy midnight, the hall was filled with charming maids and matrons, with their escorts, representatives of tne sunny Southland.
 The hall was never more artistically decorated, the windows betEg hung with yellow cheese cloth, with Southern smilax spraying the walls and twintag it's grace ful branches about the chandeliers and along the gallery. The stage was set in palms. and served as a reception room for the especially distinguished guests. The Stars and Stripes 6raped the doorways leading from the hall, and also held the place of honor above the stage. The band Which furnished the music for dancing was paced in the gallery, which was also draped in smilax and flags
 ''The reception committee consisted of Miss Virginia Miller. president of the Southern Relief Society; Mrs. Albert Akers, Mrs. M. A Balhnger, Mrs J. T. Cal,aghan, Mrs. E. M. Gadsden, Mrs. Arthur Fenda1 Mrs. B. Rust Smith and Mrs. E. w. Ayres In addition to these wen-known Southena- >ers, a large committee of young ladies also assisted in the reception and entertainment of the hundreds of guests, wcro represented every section of the old South, with scores of friends and we'll w,sg1ers from the north side of the Potomac. The far-reaching rep- utation of the annual ball for general gay ety, the energy of the promoters, and the old-fash[oned hospitality with which all its patrons are welcomed, have conspired to make it one of the most measurable soical events of each wirlser and attract many guests not directly interested in it's good work"
 The recent reception at the white house In honor Of the members of congress also brought together the southern contingent Of the occasion a writer says:
 The third of the seasons series of white house receptions was given last evening, when the President and Mrs. Mckinley re- ceived the members of congress and some 400 additional guests, between the hours of and H.
 The presidential party, consisting of the chief executive and Mrs. Mckinley, the members of the cabinet, and ladies of the receiving party. descended the stairs few minutes before o'clock taking their places in the Blue parlor, to the strains of Hail to the Chief" as rendered by a portion of the Marine band. Col Theodore A.BinSham, U. S. A, and Major Charle. l.. McCawley, U. s. M C., each in full uniform. led the way to the Blue room. and made the introductions The guests had all been received shortly after 10 CLOCK, put the most Of those present re- mained until Il, enjoying the music of the Marine band, which played throughout the evening. The floral decora tions of the Eas, room and corridor were~~very attractive the principal feature in both apartments being the large and graceful trees of white and pink azaeas, which save the keynote to the floral decorat ton. . The mirrors of the East room were banked in roses tnd hyacinths, with small trees of azaleas crowning the several large doorways, and giant palms, rubber trees, and ferns mak- ing tropical bower of each window re- cess. The mirrors and portraits were all yelled in smilax, as also were the great crystal chandeliers The conservatories were open for the evening, and afforded an opportunity of viewing a pretty collection of orchids.
 Among the evenings guests were the Italian abmassador, the Mexican ambassa- dor and Mime. Azpiroz, Admiral Dewey, the Danish minister, Baron Herman, of the German embassy; the Swiss minister, the secretary of the Mexican embassy and Mime. Godey, General and Mrs. Miles, Gen. eral Corbin, Senator John T. Morgan, the Misses Morgan, Representative Bankhead and Mrs. Bankhead.