The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-05
JOY REICNED.
Inaugural Ball an Unusually
Brilliant Affair.
Programme Disturbed by Mrs.
McKinley's Illness.


men and women distinguished in every
walk of life touching eltSws, dancing
and mingling with the PLAN American
citizen. As a spectacular event 1t was
unparalleled in the history Of inaugural
balls. in the sumptuousness of arrange
ment, in the splendor of decorations and
Of marvellous electrical effects, and IN
the countless throng taking part in the
spectacle.
When the doors of the great structure
were thrown open at 8 o'clock an eager
crowd besieged every entrance and lines
of carriages stretched into the surround
ing streets and avenues. Platoons OF
police officers, mounted and unrnounted,
guarded the outer entrances, keeping
back the rush Of curious spectators and
bringing order out Of the tangle Of car
riages. Through the long arched en-
frances hung with bunting and vines,
passed the merry. pleasure seeking
throng. the women in luxurious gowns.
with the flash of jewels in their hair and
at their threats. Soon the vast interior
of the building began to take on me
and animation. The early Corners busted
themselves in viewing the exquisite
beauties Of the scene.
The decorations of the ball room had
yellow for their predominant tone. No
cumbersome effect of light or color was
in evidence but above and on all sides
stretched wavy, ripping canopy of yell
skylight, and was broken only where the
lining of the presidents balcony at the
west end stood out white in bold relief
MyriadS of yellow electric bulbs g1oWed
and blinked like freflies in the garlands
of green that entwined the scores of pill
lars supporting the galleries and shone
out from the stars and bars of the big
American shields which, in the midst of
clusters of American flags, hung high
up in the center OF each side of the inn
menSe crowded hall
c1r110k ff IL vs.
low as the all-predominating color was
radical departure from the decorative
plan at the last inaugural ball Then
three great floral bells studded with col
ored lights, were the most prominent
feature Of the work. This year the soft
light effect given by the broad expense
Of golden color everywhere was in sharp
and favorable contrast The subdued
yellow glow from the thousands Of FROST
ed electric bulbs made the great hall as
bright midday The big fountain IN
the center of the hall had a billcwy
mass OF the purple bouganillea, the
flower of the Philippines. In the midst
rose tall palms and ferns bLrying scores
of yellow light blossoms ana around the
border, fringed with the white spire,
were placed gilded urna of growing
plants and flowers.
In the extreme west of the hall stood
the presidents balcony, declzed with
groups of Roman Wreaths and punches
of American Beauty roses bound with
bright cOlored ribbons. Above the ex-
ecutive's stand flashed a big shield Of
hand embroidered silk topped with fine
stuffed specimen of the great American
eagle Down at the eastern end was
the big stand erected for the musicians
It comprised an upper and lower story,
the former for the stringed orchestra
and the latter for the accommodation
Of the big inaugural chorus and the
brass band. Back of the singers and
musicians was a gilded sounding board
which threw the strains to all parts
Of the big hall. In front hung a beau
Il 7r.r-frr 7N@7fr
Melody, in the shape of a giant green
Tyre with strings Of purple ribbon, aud
on either side crossed musical instru-
ments; on the left a lutte and trumpet
and on the right a guitar and pipe-ai
fashioned Of green lencothe with strings
Of purple.
The balustrades and arehways pre-
sented brilliant scene. NO less than |
rs stars formed each of eleven frosted |
electric globes, were set between the |
arches on the ground floor and shown |
radiant through a network Of greens |
against a background glinting with |
powdered glass Suspended beneath !
each star and below draped festoons /
OF smilax, were .shimmering trailers of 1
green and electric bulbs, tipped with a /
yellow globe. The gilt pillars were en-
shrOuded in vines and green's, and 4
above the bright circlets Of light that |
crowned them were placed invisible l.
boxes of growing tulips, daffodils. aza- |
las, and jOnquils. In the second bal /
cOny the same scheme of decoration was
carried out. excepting that in lieu Of
the stars were hung electric lights in
clusters of three, covered with soft yell
low transparent paper and producing a
beautiful effect. Back under the balloon
les on the ground and second floors
WreathS of green were hung at regular
intervals linked by loops Of vines and /
smilax.
Twenty-six additional posts had been
placed on the top balcony, each one
surmounted by a glowing bulb Of light
Between them and bordering the rail-
ing of the balcony all the way around
were boxes Of cut and growing flowers
in great profusion of color
Two endless chains of light studded
green below the balconies looped and
hall, each loop end a hive OF brilliant
yellow globes, each trailing streamer.
alive with tiny glowlights.
Off to the side, on the second bal
presidents rooms. the diplomats room
and the forty other rooms. appropri-
ately ernbellished for public reception
and promenade. The presidents room
was draped entirely in white and made
beautiful with pink ribbons, orchids and
green's The other rooms held to the all
pervading yellow, decorated with flags,
flowers and sTnllax. In the diplomatic |
room the flags Of all nations were
clustered and intertwined and lent a
brilliant background for the gorgeous
uniforms and regalia of the diplomatic |
officials. Alongside the main building
had been built a large dining hall. deco
rated in red and white and hung with
greens.
The expense Of the decorations entire
is set down at about $45, 1000. The floral
and electric decorations came to nearly
10000 there being no less than Is 900
electric lights involved in the nlurnina-
ton.
The United States Marine band and
an orchestra of over a hundred pieces
were stationed at one end of the hail.
and for an hour before the arrival of the
nj
The presidential party arrived at 1915
O'Clock. They were preceded by gilt
tering array Of officers in full uniform