The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-26

Twenty-Five years ago Minneapolis
society was more wholesome, simple
and hospitable than it is to-day. That
is what the women who have known
the ms and outs of every social season
since there were enough people in
Minneapol to have society say. and
they nod their gray heads regretfuily
and sigh for the days when the con-
stitution was obeyed to the letter and
''all men were free and equal
7 In the early days there were no rich
and no poor and people met on a
middle plane in which there We're no
rivalries but plenty of good cheer. The
duties of society were really more ex-
acting then than they are now, for a
woman had not only the cares of host
ess to fulfill but she must be her own
caterer, very often her own dress
maker and her own nurse,
eve had much better times before
Minneapolis grew so large" declared
Mrs. Mahlon Black, who lived in Min
nesota when it was a territory and
she has watched the city grow out of
the brush heap which lined the river,
across from St. Anthony. "And we had
plentyIof them. There wasn't a week
and everybody took her turn at enter
tanning. We never. thought Of having
afternoon teas and luncheons or re-
ceptiorls. When we entertained we
wanted the men for guests, and we
had them. II the women had a quilt
ing bee, or afternoon party, the men
were always invited to supper and the
supper amounted to something
Those were the days when the tables
groaned If ever tables had that power,
for as one of the women, who was
prominent in entertaining twenty-five
years ago, said: 1--WE didn't spend on
the decorations and skirnp on the table,
but we put all we had on the table and
it was appreciated. We always had
a supper whether it was an afternoon
or evening party, and there was al
ways a, roast turkey and cold ham and
escalloped oysters and hot rolls and
salads and any number Of kinds Of jel-
lies and preserves, with as many cakes
as one could find receipts for and cof-
fee and tea. by the gallon. When I
go to a party nowadays and some maid
hands me an after dinner coffee cup
with a spoonful of coffee in it, I feel
as tho there was a, shortage some
where. There was always plenty to
eat and it was always well cooked, and
the marvellous part is one woman did it
all and took care Of half a dozen chill
dren beside. When my daughter gives
a luncheon for dozen women she
sends for caterer and she will hardly
believe me when tell her how | cook
ed and served forty or fifty people my
self"
Where one knows every one it is a
simple matter to Danish formality.
When you have talked about the
babies Group over the back fence
with all the women in town it was
hardly necessary to put on your best
bonnet and shawl and go in at the
front door to make a formal call, and
In 1878 Minneapolis possessed ali of
the qualifications for neighborhood en-
joyment.
The holidays were vigorously OBJ
served. Thanksgiving day was devoted
to the family dinner and in the even
ing there was a dance or party at
somebody's home. On Christmas the
families took their presents to the
church to hang on the tree and the
festivities we're long and joyous. New
Years was the great social day of the
year and the women divided into
groups and planned for weeks as to
the receptions which they would give.
The men were as busy ordering the
highly decorated card which would
convey their holiday greeting, and if
some fantastic idea could be Carried
out they were sure to create a sensa-
ton. A dozen Of the prominent busi-
ness men, who have remained pronai-
nent thru all these years, secured the
old stage coach and triumphantly
drove UP to the residence Of Mrs.
Black, where she was receiving with
group OF women. There was flourish
Of horns and much excitement fol-