The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-01-04
GRAND CENTURY BALL.
One of the Most Brilliant Soc ial
Gatherings in the History of
This Hustling Little Burg.

into history, for the world at large
and for Iola, but it's last moments
were marked in lola by one of the
most notable gatherings of society
that the staid old town ever witnessed.
AS the clock pointed to the hour of
twelve two hundred we'll dressed people
stepped off the seconds to the strains
of the Rye waltz, laughing, light.
hearted, prosperous lola people. A
moment later they marched from
group to group wishing each other a
Happy New Year.
1t was the closing event of weel,
OF entertainment furnished by the
Elks lodge, and taken altogether It
was unquestionably one of the most
fashionable and enjoyable events ever
given here. Two hundred or more
people we're in attendance, the men n
solid array of conventional black and
the ladies gowned stylishly and most
becomingly. The grand march start
ed about $3.50 and the large double
rooms of the hall scarce sufriced to ac-
commodate the long list of marchers.
From the march the dancers broke in
to the time-honored quadrille, and
then into the waltz, the two step. the
schottische, and with tireless feet the
inspired steps kept going until 4
o'clock in the new century, when to
the strains of ''Home, Sweet Home. "
the courageous and persistent fifty
couples who had stayed for the last
dance, acknowledged reluctantly that
even the most pleasant events must
come to an end.
The hall was decorated inevergreen.
hung in long, graceful festoons from
the chandeliers, which we're brilliantly
illumined. The floor was smooth
and non-resisting and the music.
furnished by Shaw's orchestra from
Wichita, was the Inspiring motive of
the evening. In the upper floor of the
building long tables had been furnished
with the quality and quantity of eata-
bles which in time honored custom
forced them to "groan with good
things" and there was not lack of en-
thusiasm to heed the groans
and relieve the burden. Beneath the
soft light of the gas jets the ladies,
gowned in multa-colored clothes.
which the superior skill of the highest
art of the dying Nineteenth century
was capable, became poems with most
rhythmical feet and the sterner ele-
ment present bowed in acknowledged
adulation.
The ball closed week of entertain
ment, as stated before, given by the
Elks lodge, with the mixed purpose of
supplying that holiday cheer which is
verW necessary portion of the resi-
dents of so exceptionally favored a
city as lola, and of securing thereby
for the order the wherewithal to wipe
from the records of the lodge an OBJ
legation of honor. Being new
lodge, there was everything to buy
and little income. Definite figures
cannot be given as to the financial
outcome of the week, but it seems inn
probable that the net receipts could |
fall below $500. With this fund added |
to the money already on hand the
order can liquidate the most of its in
debtedness and be in shape to become |
host to the generous people of lola |
who have assisted it by inviting the |
public from time to time to share it's |
The REGISTER has been
asked by the officers of the lodge to
express the deep apprecia-
tion of the lodge of the generous treat
ment accorded it by the public. and to
especially extend its thanks to the !
business men who donated so literally |
to the bazaar and to the young ladies |
who assisted each evening in conduct
ing the same.
The ball that night closed the week
in fitting manner. 1t was the most
brilliant social gathering that has
been witnessed here. The long list of
guests cannot be given, but among |
those who were attracted here from
abroad the following were noted.
Miss Cash, of Blackwell, Okla. Miss
Anna Hart, of Moran, Miss Lou
Kinne, of Moran, Mrs. kirkpatrick, of
Fredonia, Miss Inez Mack, of Kansas
City, Miss Ruth Plumb, of Emporia,
Mrs. Eunice Gregg, of Emporia; Miss
Pearl Lilly, of Chanute, Mrs. Westy
Petraeus, of Joplin, Mo-, Mr.. and Mrs.
j. Frank Smith, of Pleasanton, Miss
Francis, of Colony, Miss Rannels, of
Savonburg, Miss Cora Harrison, of
Moran, Mrs. A. S. White, of Pitts
burg, and Miss Cora Preston, of
Chicago.
The week of enjoyment just closed
should become an annual celebration
in lola, and the duty of looking after