The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-28
A FUNCTION IN KANSAS.



E. w. Howe, in Atchison Globe.
Last night I attended dinner given by
Governor Bailey in Topeka to President
Roosevelt. Possibly readers Of the Globe
will be interested in knowing how the
bachelor Governor entertains. The Cover
nor's residence is probably the handsomest
home in Kansas. 1t was built by a man
named Bennett, a breeder Of Percheron
horses, at a cost of $4,000. But the woolly-
legged Percheron horses were too slow for
Kansas; they reminded people of oxen, and
Bennett was compelled TO sell his fine
house. The State bought it for $4,000. Gov
ernor Stanley was the first Governor to oc-
cupy it. The last Legislature made an APP
preparation for fixing it up. and the i'm
provements were completed only few
days before the Presidents visit. Every
room of the mansion is finished in a differ
ent hardwood; it is said that the library
was finished in walnut by workmen from the
Pullman shops in Pullman, Ill. The floral
decorations were extensive. but in excellent
taste. There was trailing green stuff ev-
erywhere, and vines growing over the man.
tells from pots on the thing below. In the
library there was the handsomest display Of
American Beauty roses we have ever SEEN
There were flowers in every room, but, as
far as we were able to judge, the taste dis
played was excellent-not too much of any
thing.
The dinner was served in courses and
there was not single hitch. 1t was prob
ever given in Kansas. There were three
Tuxedos in the party. They were worn by
Mr. Root, Mr.. White and Judge Hook. The
other guests wore the usual swallow-tail
coats. There were five black ties and
twelve white ones. Three guests wore tied
ties. the others seemed to wear dickies. The
apparently tied himself. In the shirt fronts
small gold buttons predominated, with a
few pearl ones. Doth kinds three for a
quarter.) The standing and turn-down col
lars were about an even break. One man,
Mr.. Loomis, had stripe down his panta-
looms. eve confess that we did net notice
these details; we got them from old Bill
White)
There were four colored walters. The
first course was a fruit salad; fruit mixed
with cubes of toasted bread floating around
in it; then scalloped fish, several on half
shells, with brown bread sandwiches; then
sweetbreads on toast; then squads, with
green peas, with white bread sandwiches:
then spring chicken. with new potatoes and
asparagus tips. Somewhere during the din
ner a hot biscuit, small and delicate, ap-
peared on each plate. Then there. was
coffee in regular cups, with cream and sug-
ar offered; then frozen egg nog; then shrimp
salad.
CThe President inquired here: Governor
Bailey, did these Shrimps come from Kan
sas?" The Governor having said that the
bill of fare was made up largely of kansas
products. You know how preachers joke
goes; well, it's nothing to Presidents
joke; we all roared)
berries, and little balls of cocoanut. Then
cake and black coffee. There were stuned
olives on the table, and radishes. In cut
glass dishes. The chandelier above the
dining table, a fine one, was beautifully
decorated with trailing green's. These greens
also appeared in the center or the table IN
a design. The dining room easily accom-
modated the seventeen guests. The room is
a high one. with hardwood ceii1ng.
During the dinner, which lasted apout an
hour and forty minutes. the guests talked
them Frequently the President addressed
some one opposite him and told a story, ano
how we all laughed at the point! sui,
some of the stories were good: 1 shall save
them for private use and say hereafter:
'"The President told me an interesting anec-
dote at Topeka" etc. The President did
me the honor to address me when ne re-
ferred to Eugene Ware. whom he compli-
merlted highly. The Presidents favorite
swear word is by George!" He also says
''bully" frequently. Mr.. Root talked gen,
orally on two occasions, and we laughed
nearly as much at his jokes as we did at
those of the President, as he is the most
important member of the Cabinet and may
be compelled to handle our war with Hus-
STA.
1 don't say it because was invited to his
dinner but Governor Bailey starts out as
though he will become the most popular
Governor the State has ever had. He is
popular in Topeka, and looks as well in a
plug hat as any of the Presidents party.
His bachelor dinner was success, but he
confessed to me that he had great deal
of assistance from 'the nefghbors. To-
peka woman who Is a professional caterer
1--WE have forgot her name) had charge OF
the dinner and bossed things in the kitchen
No wines were served, although the Prohi-
bitionists may complain because of slight
dash Of rum in the eggnogg.
Of course. there was fine display OF cut
glass and silver. mainly forks, few spoons
Mr.. LOOMS, who sat on my right, became
tangled somewhere and was short a fork
had an extra one, being thrifty, so / quietly
sneaked the extra one and passed 1t over
to Mr.. Loomis, who completed the dinner
without disaster / watched the President
when a new course was served, as though
it a pleasure to admire. so great
man, but in reality / was observing wheth-
er he used fork or spoon. Had he used
Edward Box the other guests, as loyal sub
jects would have. of course, followed his
example and risked Mr.. Bok's rage.
To a man who puts on dress suit only
once in several years, function Is a task
It's smart woman who can get me ready
under an hour But the Topeka men attend
so many that they don't mind them. When
there is a cornerstone laying at and din
ner at they change to full dress so quickly
that / suspect they use an apparatus like
the firemen have at engine houses for throw
ing harness on the fire horses. Frank p
McLennan made a quick change last even
ing that could have been accomplished In