The sun., 1903-12-29
TENDERLOlN WOMEN ATABALL
GIVEN BY "BLINk" MCGOWAN,
WHOM JEROME ONCE ACCUSED.
~Jerry the Lus'' Was There and So We're
Billy Leppy. big Bill. "Duke" Notary
Paul salvin. Louis Stern and Somo Ex.
Wardmen-Wonien Did the Buytng.

Paul salvin. Louis Stern and Some Ex.
Wardmen-Wonen Did the Buying.
The Tenderloin turned out on Sunday
night to do honor to the Hon. Blink
MCGOWAN. one OF its most distinguished
citizens. Blink" is not without fame out
pde tho White Light district. Two years
ago when District Attorney Jerome was
running for Office he publicly accused
Blink" OF plotting to kill him. Blink "
never sued Mr.. Jerome for slander.
The Hon. Blink" received advance in
formation two weeks ago that this town
would have to worry along this year with
out the French ball. Being in need Of a
little ready cash he set himself to work
to make up for the loss OF this ball by Civ
Ing one of his own. 1t was pulled off Sun
day night or rather early yesterday morn
Ing
There was no difficulty in disposing Of
6nO tickets at so cents each. Sunday night
Is dull in the Tenderloin, as all the resorts
are closed. That Is the only night in the
week which the female portion Of the dis
trtct can call its own. 1t was in the Hay
market, Cairo, Bohemia and Mrs 4Teddy'
Rices that Blink" sold his ball tickets
that made his first ball success at Lyric
Hall.
Word had gone forth that the ball was
to be a lively one, and this tip was respon-
sible for the presence Of half dozen giddy
youths early in the evening. The women
began to arrive around midnight. At the
door they found an old acquaintance await
Ing them. Jerry the Lug the old blind
reprobate who pretends to sell lead pencils
In front Of the Haymarket, and swears at
any one who has the nerve to take pencil
after giving him a coin. sat at the entrance
wailng for aid just as he does every week
night.
Before the women began to arrive a
great many young men had gathered in the
ball. They all seemed to know one an
other, but they were depressing to look at.
Most of them wore long hair plastered on
wore gaudy waistcoats and sported dia-
rnonds All of them puffed cigarettes
and seemed pleased with themselves.
In the ballroom the Haymarket dance
hall orchestra was ready to furnish the
music. Billy Leppy, the floor manager at
same capacity for his friend Blink" Big
Bill, the bounoer at the Haymarket. strutted
about as chesty as ever. Arthur, the
Flower King. came In with bunch OF roses
who used to run the Savoy, and hopes TO
run it again when Tanmany takes hold
was an early arrival. Louis Stern, the
chop suey man, who gave up his place In
Twenty ninth street soon after man was
beheaded in q similar joint few doors
away, was there. too.
There was miscellaneous collection
Of former wardmen and plain clothes
sleuths in attendance. Most of them had
done duty in the Tenderloin at some time
~ thatv y No,,
into uniform 1t was fine opportunity
for these men to renew old friendships
These e1-sleuths like the Tenderloln and
Its people. Many of them were SO glad
to see their old friends that they opened
wine" 1t is remarkable how much wine
an ex-Tenderloin sleuth can buy out OF
his policemans salary.
When the women began to arrive the ball
took on sembance Of gayety. The Hon
sBlink' stood at the head Of the stairs
eye on the ticket taker at the door. Sur
rounding Blink was his reception COM
n1ittee "Blink' was radiant in hired
dress suit, but his committeeman didn't
they wore were decorations enough for
them.
The grand march opened the ball and
eDuke' McGarry, the lookout. led it. Be;
fore the march, began it was announced
that the best dressed and most graceful
woman would get gold handled umbrella
Ten Judges were selected to pick the winner
In the end it was discovered that five OF
the judges bad girls in the march and each
OF the five voted for his own girl. The
other Ave judges were unanimous in award
ing the umbrella to good looking young
woman in a white silk dress. She seemed
out Of place in that gathering OF women
but she gladly accepted the umbrella never
theless.
The awarding of the prize created con-
siderable hard feeling and it looked at one
time as il it might be the means of breaking
up the ball. Even the Hon. Blink" was
dissatisfied with the decision.
Them judges is lot o. NUTS" said he
forgetting for the moment that he had
selected them.
Don't ever give prize at ball. sagely
remarked Big Bill. the bouncer FOR II
always starts the ladies knocking"
The bad feeling engendered by the UNI
brella incident soon wore away when the
booze began to flow. The drinking room,
of the ballroom was soon crowded. but il
was plain to be seen that the women were
doing most Of the buying. They spent
their money freely and the cigarette smok-
Ing young men seemed to enjoy their
doing It,
As the morning wore on the ball became
divelier, and there were many high kicking
contests. It wasn't over until daylight.
LOWER DUTY on HAIANAS.