Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-01-23
D. E. THOMPSON The GUEST
Brilliant Reception is rendered to the New
Minister to Brazil
MEN FROM ALL OVER THE STATE PRESEN'
state House, in which the AfrRir Was
Held, Beautifully Decorated
and Illuminated for the
Occasion.
(From a STAN Correspondent)

LINCOLN, Jan. 22.-(Special Telegram)
Nebraska paid a glowing tribute to d. e.
Thompson tonight. On the eve of his de-
parture for Brazil as United States min
lister thousands of people from all sections
and parts of the commonwealth besieged
the state capitol building to join in honor
ing their distinguished fellow citizen.
1t was a brilliant function, which will be
long remembered in the political and social
annals of the state A public reception
in the truest sense, enlisting the presence
Of many citizens, the governor and other
state officers. The affair was pronounced
success. 1t began as early as o'clock
and continued far into the night.
The reception proper took place on the
second floor of the state house, in the
large court under the dome. The scene
was an inspiring one The court had been
beautifully decorated with fragrant flowers,
in which panels of American Beauty roses
wild ferns, potted plants of many descrip-
tlons, graceful palms, native to Brazil.
we're conspicuous Around the circular
bannister of the court was a huge bower of
mixed flowers. lighted from within with
small incandescent bulbs. To add to the
brilliance Of the scene numerous Oriental
draperies we're artistically hung around
the court and the silken folds of several
large American flags unfurled. To one
side, elevated to place of prominence,
in letters of fire, was the inscription,
Nebraska to Brazil"
Mr.. and Mrs Thompson and the re-
ceiving party occupied places in the midst
Of this gorgeous plot. Next to the hon
ored guests in the order named we're Gov
ernor and Mrs. Mickey, Ex-Governor and
Mrs. Savage, Mr.. Henry Mayer, president
of the Lincoln Commercial club, and wife.
Chancellor and Mrs. Andrews and Mr..
George r. Bidwell of Omaha were to have
been on the reception line, but failed to
arrive.
Mrs. Thompson was clad in pink gauze
over silk Mrs. Mickey wore black velvet
and lace; Mrs. Savage wore yellow gauze
over silk, and Mrs. Mayer a blue velvet
gown with white lace.
w. H. Green, register Of the United
States land office, acted as master of cere-
monies.
Entire Building Decorated.
The entire capitol building was hand
somely decorated without and within. Sew
eral strands Of electric lights entwined the
large dome. whose pinnacle was a steeple
of fire. All the Offices were lighted and the
senate chamber and representative hall pre-
sented striking appearances. Both were
used for dancing and the service Of punch
and were artisticalIy decorated with floral
and other trimmings $780,.
For an hour prior to the arrival OF the
guest of honor and his distinguished hosts
throngs of people surged through the build
ing, admiring the imposing display. Every
preparation had been made to accommo-
date all, preserve order and insure safety.
Chief of Police Hoagland OF Lincoln was
present with eighteen policemen and four
secret service men, Thirty men and If
teen women were stationed in the cloak
rooms to care for the wraps.
An executive committee of 200 prominent
Nebraskans, from all parts of the state
had been selected as the ex-officlo arbiters
of the occasion. 1t was the purpose in Sc
lecting this committee to get men from all
factions and ranks, those who had been
friendly and those who had been unfriendly
in political affairs to Mr. Thompson. Prom
inent figures, therefore, from all over Ne
bTaska were present, including past and
present leaders, representatives and sen.
ators of the present session of the legis-
lature and state officers were, of course
active participants.
Throughout the evening the floors OF the
]
arranged especially for the occasion, were
occupied by dancers. Punch was served In
the lobbies as well as in the corridors OF
the building Miss Putnam and Miss Ray
mond were assisted in the serving OF punch
! by these young women: Misses Cochran
Watkins, Bignell Dietz, Hargreaves, Out
calf, Jessie outcalt, Hayes, Elsie Folwell
! Fitzgerald, Bennett, Funk, Stuart, Griggs
Dorothy Griggs and Mrs. Honeywell. Miss
Ruth Bryan had been selected as one o.
this company, but did not arrive.
The Omaha delegation TO the Thompson
reception returned to this city at II: :3t
o'clock this morning. About fifty of tn,
| prominent citizens of Omaha, including
number of women, made the trip, and al
reported an enjoyable time, although some
were never able to get in sight OF Mr.
Thompson, except from distant high places
owing to the crush of enthusiastic hand.
shakers. Among those who were in attend
ance were Mayor Moores, Judge Baxter
John G. Wharton. George w. Holdrege
Judge Dickinson, Gould Deitz Victor Rose.
water, d. c. Patterson, George Loomis
W. r. Heller and e. e. Bryson.
ASK HOUSE FOR STATEHOOD