The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-01-04
NEW YEARS DAY
lNYE OLD TIME BUTTE

Before the day of holly and mistle-
toe, smilax and cut flowers in Butte
the ladies of this city opened their
doors on New Years day and received
cordially and heartily their friends and
strangers who happened to be within
the gates likewise. For fifteen years,
dating from 1879, it was the custom
among a number of Butte's society
people to be at home formally and in
formally, and while it was by no means
general there was not in all that time
a year that a few did not observe the
time-honored and beautiful custom of
keeping open house, says the Butte
Miner.
it was the year 1879 that the custom
was inaugurated among the people of
the camp to make New Years calls.
About this time Messrs. NJ. ]. Connell,
J V. Long. Lee Mantle Johnnie
O'Rourke, John Forbis and his little
brother Jim, DR.. Hough, Alex Tarbet,
Alex Johnston, Dick Hauser, Joe Case,
Geoff Lavell, Joe Clark, Thomas La
veil, Dick Hauser, D. r. Beck and
Thomas Argyle were the gay beauX of
the town. To be sure, they were only
mere youths at that time, but the ma
JoTity of them have remained in the
city and have grown into the hearts
of the people, to whom they always
will be the same as they were when
they were the boys of 10. 1t was the
day when the hcstesses would make
elaborate plans that would entail days
of preparations for the receptions. 1t
was also the day when cards, most
gorgeous, wonderfully embellished with
old Father Time and his scythe, the
golden stairs and other symbols of the
day were left at each house. Ii was
during this delightful period that the
high altitude was not responsible for
all the ills that human flesh is heir 10,
consequently many charming hostesses
remained at home and kept open house
for the many men who had no homes
to remain in on that day other than
a boarding house-for it was before the
epoch of mems clubs, therefore it was
a pleasure hailed with delight to be al
lowed the privilege of making the
round of calls upon the many fair wo-
men of Butte. The young men, mar
rieG men and bachelors-there were no
old bachelors in Butte in those days
would band together in congenial
crowds, filing in many instances four
horse sleighs, when they would call re-
ligiously upon everyone they knew,
starting early in the afternoon and
would continue until late in the even
ing, In 1879 Mrs. John Noyes, assisted
by Miss Ellen Meikle1ohn, Miss Nettie
Emerson and Miss Allie Farlin, re-
ceived young men VINO today are the
heads of growing families, some of
them being grandfathers. This was the
leading reception of the year. 1t was
on this day that Mrs. Charles Warren
spread such a feast before her callers
that many of them went no further, it
being the day that the fresh oyster
made it's initial bow to the epicures of
Butte. 1t is stated on good authority
that q sleighload composed of Mr.. NJ.
j. Connell, Mr.. j. v. Long, Mr.. Lee
Mantle. Mr.. John O'Rourke and DIR.
Hough made repeated calls at this
home until there was not an oyster left
for The other callers. Mrs. Henry ia
cobs was also at home on that day
and placed such rich and rare dainties
before her guests that in many in
stances further calling was out of the
question.
In 1880 the spirit of hospitality and
good cheer again made itself felt
among the population of Butte and
many elaborate receptions were sched-
uled
Mrs. Marcus Daily received at her
home in Vaudeville, assisted by Mrs.
William Read, Mrs. j. K. Clark and
Miss Matte Evans. The souvenirs
were satin ribbons with the names of
the ladies in the receiving party print
ed in gold.
Mrs. P. A Largey was at home, as
sisted by Miss Caplice.
In 1882 Mrs. John Noyes was assisted
By numerous of the pretty young girls,
who helped to do the honors most
gracefully.
Mrs j. W. Thompson was assisted in
receiving by Mrs. George T. Hale and
Miss Belle FOrbis.
Mrs. w. w. Dixon was hostess, with
Mrs. Godfrey Lavell, Miss Renouard
and Miss Wilcox as assistants.
Mrs. H o. D'Achuel was at home
and received beautifully, with Miss
Julian Rumley, Miss Bird Rumley and
Miss Emerson assisting.
Mrs. Marcus Daily was assisted by
Mrs. ]. Ross Clark and Miss Hattie
Evans.
In 1888 almost everyone received
formally Mrs. Dixon received, with
Miss Caplice, now Mrs. George Rock
wood: Miss Renouard and Miss Wilcox
assisting.