Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-23

Hull, of Iowa, was not acquainted with
Mrs General Greene, his designated
partner, although longtime acquain-
lance of Gen. Greene, himself How
ever, there were those present who
made 1t their business to see that no
awkward situations should occur, and
within few minutes the line was
form, and the doors into the dining
room opened
President Roosevelt escorted Mrs.
Fuller, and the Chief Justice Mrs
Roosevelt. No gentleman was permit
ted to escort his own wife. President
Mckinley always entertained in the
| long wide corridor, known as the state
dining room, but President Roosevelt
has pre-empted the great east room for
official dinners.
The spectacle presented upon throw
ing open the wide doors into the east
room cannot be portrayed in cold type.
The dining table, in the form of
great crescent, with rounded ends,
stood in the center of the brilliantly
| lighted room, Gorgeous in cut flowers,
plate and sparkling cut glass.
Seated at the curving table were
nearly one hundred people, many of
the most distinguished officials OF the
United States, said to have been the
largest company ever entertained at
White House Dinner. In a moment the
colored walters were gone, and almost
instantly returned bearing trays of
oysters on the half. Then followed
SOUP terrapin, fillet au beef, with veg
etables game, with string beans, mush-
rooms with some unpronouncable ac-
compartment, ice creams, CONNECTIONS.
III.
board.
Very nearly two hours We're passed
at the table. Conversation flowed like
a mill race. 1t was small talk; no
politics, no business, just small talk;
the kind men abhor Elderly folks
chatted of their grandchildren and
their cunning and cute ways; younger
guests were busy with light and airy
nothings of the day. the ladies doing
most of the talking, the gentlemen lis.
tering with mods and words of APP
prevail Conversation was confined to
your next neighbor on either side. The
table was so wide one could not speak
to his friend across, so each gentle
man entertained and was entertained
by his partner, or perhaps the lady at
his right hand.
of animation. The President with
Mrs Fuller on one hand and Mrs,
Harlan upon the other, was all atten-
ton and smiles and strenuosity to
both, with an OCCASIONAL CHEEKY word
, for some one little further down the
line He ate with zest and apparent
relish, skipping nothing that was good,
and that is saying that he omitted
nothing.
While the dinner was informal, it
was also formal The most approved
rules of strict etiquette We're observed
although there seemed to be no effort
in this direction. 1t was punctilious
ness mingled with the grace of good
:, taste and breeding. The function
from conception to close was the in
, carnation of unassured gentjlity and
:, correct form.
. The desires and wishes of the guests
, were most closely observed by the
walters, ample in number and def il
:, point of service. There was none O
:. the confusion usually attending the
= ordinary banquet; no clanking o
! dishes or jostling or rushing. Tht
- service was silent, swift and graceful
:, 1t was like a straightforward perform
: ance.
!, For the first time in many years thu
n famous Thomas r. Davis set of chini
. was used. This is most elaborate
= and magnificent set, hand painted b,
- famous artist, bearing the imprin
=, Limoges" with the crest of tn
- United States upon it's reverse side
~ 1t is needless to add that the womel
!. fairly raved over this famous set, an
= when it came upon the table. TIL
! gentlemen learned many new things
y which they have forgotten long befor
:, this. 1t may be said, in passing, tina
:. all of the splendid plate of gold an
9. silver, cut glass and choice china, be
= : longs to the United States. All foot
y - wines, ETC., are furnished by the Pres
- ident.
~ Following the dinner the guests r.
~ tired from the east room, many of tn
y. gentlemen adjourning to the smokin
h+ apartments where cigars. coffee an
o. light wines were served. Presider
an Roosevelt joined this party, althoug
&c he satisfied his thirst alone with co
% fee lighting cigar along with tn
III other gentlemen. He was gracious
al ness itself; in exuberant spirits, il
~ formal and cordial. AS an entertain
70 er he is a success; there is no doul
av upon that point. He mingled with til
he guests at random, there being no ii
nc tinction between democrat and repu
"a "a lican. No politics or business {
bo shop were discussed. The conve
nm sation was largely jokes and inciden
in calculated to maintain good hume
ba and good fellowship, and of these i
10. cidents there was no end. The Pre-
20. ident did his full share along this lii
and demonstrated keen memory.
be In the blue, red and green rooms Il
nr women, with perhaps dozen me
bo were chatting away merrily. Whe
nd cigars had become ashes, the M
;af from the realm of stories and inciden
90 Joined the former and conversation /
NJ came animated. The hour was b
nd coming late; the evening was spe
IN. and soon the guests began to NAL
NJ. their adieux. Half an hour later Pre-
NJ ident Roosevelt and his family we
low alone with the servants in the Viii
III. House and the last state dinner of t.
on season of 1902 was a pleasant me-