The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-01
DOWNTOWN CIOWDS
WATCH new YEAR IN
Tables Reserved in Cafes for Pa
irons Wishing to Follow
New Custom.
HOLIDAY SPIRIT PREVALENT.
Scene From Opera Presented at
Faust's Just at Midnight Hour
-Mephisto Caps Presented
to Guests.
HOLIDAY SPIRIT PREVALENT.

The new year found the fashionable part
OF st. Louis well represented at the
downtown cafes.
Parties of two and three up TO crowds Of
twenty or more sat at tables reserved for
them while the old year passed out and
the new was ushered in.
This custom. brought from the East. has
grown quickly in favor. Last winter it was
tried by few for almost the first time
Some We're so pleased that they made ar
rangements at once for repetition OF the
pleasant experience.
Fausts and McTaGue's had the largest
number of patrons. who had previously re-
served their places. There were two or
three small parties in the cafe at tho
Southern Hotel and at the ST. Nicholas
Hotel. The Planters had a large number
Of guests at midnight. but no tables Were
reserved. Everywhere the holiday spirit
had possession OF the crowd.
Transformation scene Mt Midnight.
At Faust's some Of the tables had been
reserved for year. Shortly before
midnight the curtain rose on the
transformation scene from Faust" pre-
scented a small stage at the end of
the main diEingroom. the orchestra play
Ing lUe Esbuidr DUClOT aust look
the cup offered by Mcphisto and drank the
flaming liquid. The number 1901 In elec-
trio lights at the stage grew dim and went
out. leaving the room In total darkness
Then came the solemn sound OF the bells
tollIng the midnight hour. the passing of
the year. With the last stroke the num-
ber 1907 appeared In lights above the
stage. then suddenly the whole room be-
bril- lIt,b.
no longer old and decrepit. began the new
year with a new lease on life, enraptured
with the joy of his renewed youth.
After the curtain had dropped, ,iephisto
passed around among the tables, greeting
everybody and presenting to the gentlemen
red caps. with feathers stuck in them in
Mephisto style. Every body con-
graduated everybody else and. amid repeat
ed wishes for Happy New Year." the
VARIOUS parties started home.
Some of the Guests.
casper Koehler ahd his family. with Mr..
Tnd Mrs. Rudolph Limberg. had for
their guests Nj, Harry B. Hawes. Mr.. and
Mrs. Pierre Gsfneau. Doctor and Mrs.
Schwarz and ~. Lindsey Of New York.
Adolphus Busch entertained party Of
twenty. among them his two brothers, Au-
gust and ANTON Busch. and his nephew.
August Anhesser, all three of Germany;
and Mr.. and 3irs. Magnus of Chicago
Charles II. fFurner had party OF men
friends with Dim.
Some of thA others seen at the tables
Ben Eiseman Captain Boisdclay. Halsey
Burnett. J. H., Mudd. Alex PrImm, Mr.
and Mrs. Lilburp G. McNair. Mr.. and Mrs.
Duncan Joy, WIZ Mafltt and his iiancee.
Miss Walsh: Mr.. tand Mrs Benoist. Mr.. and
Mrs. William NJ, Leftwich. Stewart Stick
ney. Sam Davis. tr. Tiffany. aIr Brazier.
Otto Mersman, Chtffraix Il Lakeland. Mr..
and Mrs. Zach Tinker. Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
xoehler. Jr.; MIR. and Mrs. Duthiel Cab
,nne. Trabue Pittmann, Mr.. and Mrs. Dan
Taylor Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Harding,
Charles A. Thompson. Eugene Cuendet. Mr..
and Mrs Edward ". Flesh, Mt and Mrs.
D. r. Calhoun. Mr.. and Mrs Whlttemore
Mr.. and Mrs. G. F. BlanLe Mr and Mrs.
!. ]. Howard and David IIauher.
Gustav I-l,%aers. the composer Of King
Dodo." with Mrs. Lueders. entertained Mr..
Darling. -he director of the orchestra, with
that company.
Mr. and Mrs. Courtney West were with
several members of the Niedringhaus fam
ly.
Harrison 1. Drr mmond. ]. F. Drummond
and Ted Walker formed part of merry
party at one of the tables.