Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-03-13
SCENE OF SPLENDOR.
Inaugural Dance Outdoes Anything
of the Kind in History.
Head of the Nation, Vice President
Roosevelt, Diplomats and Per.
sons of Every Walk in Life
Were Present,

Washington, March 5.-The culmi-
mating event of the inaugural festivi-
Ties was the inaugural ball, held at
night in the vast auditorium of the
pension office. AS spectacular
event it was unparalleled in the
history of inaugural balls, in
the sumptuousness of arrangement,
IN the bewildering splendor of decora-
ions and of marvellous electrical ef-
tects, and in the countless throng TAX
ing part in the spectacle.
The United States Marine band and
an orchestra of over hundred pieces
were stationed at one end of the hall
and for an hour before the arrival of
the presidential party played patriotic
airs.
Presidential Party Arrives.
Inc presidential party arrived at
lo:l5 O'Clock. They were preceded by
a gllttering array of army officers in
full uniform and were escorted to the
private offices of Commissioner Evans,
which had been lavishly decorated.
The president bowed and smiled as he
passed through the throng. Senator
and Mrs. Hanna, Lieut.. Gen. and Mrs,
Miles, several of the justices of the SUI
preme court with their wives and a
number of the cabinet circle Joined the
party upstairs. The crowds on the main
moor had been pushed back to make
room for the grand march, but word
came that Mrs. Mckinley was indis-
posed and that the president would re-
main by her side. The march conse-
quently was abandoned.
Whirl of Gayety.
The band struck up Strauss "Blue
Danube and the first regret of the
assemblage at missing the grand
march. with the president and the first
lady of the land at it's head, gave way
before the whirl of gayety on the bali
room floor. Vice President and Mrs.
Roosevelt arrived about the time the
president came in. After paying their
respects to the president and holding
an informal levee amid the groups of
governors, officers. senators and distin-
guished officials the vice presid ent and
his wife proceeded to the ballroom
floor.
At It's Height.
Now the scene was at, its height.
Under the golden canopy and the daz-
zling filigree of lights moved the shift
ing throngs-women in exquisite tot
lets, dowagers and matrons in rare
old laces, buds and debutantes in dainty
Paris creations. With them were of.
ficials distinguished in every branch of
public life, grave supreme court JUS
tees, governors of states surrounded
by their brilliantly uniformed stats
| and aids. ambassadors and ministers
in gold lace and decorations, the high.
est ranking officers of the army. navy
and marine corps, senators and repre-.
sentatives, officers of troop A, the pres.
ident's crack organization in uniforms
OF Austrian hussars. As the orchestra
and band alternated this ever-movine
throng joined in promenade and dance
making vast Kaleidoscope picture.
Informal Reception.
President Mckinley held an informa,
reception in the upper corridor, Lieut.
Gen. Miles, acting as chief of the recep.
ton committee to escort distinguish ed
guests to the president.
The presidential party and Vice Pres
| ident and Mrs. Roosevelt left the bal
at 1915 O'Clock. Before leaving they
partook of a light lunch with large
number of invited guests in the private
dining-room. The festivities went or
unabated until late hour.