The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-01
SAW SKIRT DANCES.
While the Diners Sat on Blooded
Horses in Ball Room.

New York. April Although the
thirty-two guests of C. K G. Billings.
at his unique dinner at Sherrys in eel
ebration of his election to the presI-
dency of the Equestrian club, in which
the diners sat on blooded saddle horses
in the grand ball room, and ate from
tables fastened to their steed. did not
depart for their homes until daylight.
many Of them had sufficient recuDera-
tive power to appear early in the after
noon at the handsome new trottins
sta bleS of the Chicago gas millionaire
at 196th street and Fort Washington
road, and oartake there of a luncheon,
with which the new buildings were for
mally opened.
After an inspection of the stables.
which are regarded as the finest in the
country. and cover a space of 125x250
feet, Mr.. Billings guests gave them
selves uD to "reminiscences of the hiIa-
riOus hours they had spent at Sherry's
Most popular of all the specialties Of
fered to his guests when the cigars had
been lighted at Sherry'S in the wee
hours of the spring Sabbath was a livery
one planned by Mr. Billings and carried
out in thrilling fashion by Mr. Norman
Selby, otherwise known as kid Nc
Coy, and Fred Stone. the star of the
Wizard of Or company, who is play
ing the scarecrow at the Majestic the
alter. Stone brides himself on his rec
ord as an amateur athlete.
Among those present were Anthony
N Brady, Andrew Hamilton, George o.
Knapp, Alexander McCrea. William ..
McCrea, Walter Johnson, Charles Phil
lips, Frank Jones. H. L. Horton ar
Thomas Carmichael. Richard Halstead,
F. Guenther. former Mayor Hugh j.
Grant. Fred Gerken, w. W. Lawrence.
Roland KnoedIer, larry Watson Fran
Watson, Gen. Edward c. O'Brien, Aft
Haynan and George W. Lederer
The Equestrian club elects a new
president every two months and the
newly elected head of the organization
| q dinner n aDfn Iar-of .@f
event Each one. so far has surpassed
its predecessors in the unique features
introduced. Mr.. Billings guests met in
his apartments at the Hotel Netherlands
Saturday night and were driven to
Sherry's There they sat down at table
in one of the smaller banquet halls The
table was arranged in the form of an
ellipse and in the center was a stuffed
horse mounted on huge mound OF
roses.
The cocktails and the soup were
served when Mr.. Billings, Mayor Grant
and Mr.. Hayman suddenly arose. ex-
cused themselves and left the room.
The other guests waited for their re-
turn and for the appearance of the fish
in vain. Finally some one suggested
/ looking for them. and a waiter led the
way to the grand ballroom.
There the astonished diners behe1d a
scene of rural beauty. The room had
been transformed by the use of scenery
fountains, growing field flowers and
real grass into bit of open country.
Thirty three spirited horses were ar
ranged in the form of a horseshoe, and
on three of these were seated Mr.. Bill
lings and his fellow conspirators.
Mayor Grant gave the command
Mount and thirty walters. dressed
as grOoms in pink hunting coats, white
brooches and yellow-top boots, helped
the amazed guests to obey in short or
der. Attached to each saddle was a
small table. and in front of each steed
was a trough of oats to keep the ami
mated chairs from cavorting. The
menu was an elaborate one and the
wines were many and rare.
At the close of the dinner. while the
coffee was being served. kid" McCo-
and Mr.. Stone took their places, and
went ON with their speciality. to the de-
light of the horseback banuueters. who
applauded each clever point enthusi-
astically- Then Richie Ling and his IL
which are said to have cost $500 apiece
and which We're worn then for the first
time. sang and danced, after which .
change OF costume was made for the
Turkish Wives dance.
Max Hirschfeld led a large orchestra
and Fred Stone and his partner. Dave
/ Montgomery. the tin woodsman, did
their speciality. Emma Carus sang and
Mrs. Adah Walker recited Sidney
Grant followed with rnonologue. Each
of the guests were presented with q