Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-07
With Majestic splsndOr Week Of GAiSty
eliminates at the Throne.
BALL UNSURPASSED IN ROYAL RITES
GurdOn w. watties and Miss Mara
Lee Mcshnne VIII sway the
Sceptre of Dominion
This Year.
ROYAL HOUSE OF AK-sAR-BEN.

W. d. McHugh. V Ethel Morse.
Edward p. Peck. III Gertrude Kountze.
Jasper h. fost. II May Dundy.
4 Il. NJ. Bartlett. Meloria Wooiworth
The planets held their breath as King
Ak-sar-Ben placed the crown on the
tresses of his queen, so magnificent was the
| spectacle that eliminated the festal cere-
monies for the glory OF his majesty. Ten
coronation balls of the kingdom OF Quivera
had the people seen before, but none that
| matched the function that placed the
| scepter in the hand OF the eleventh mon
arch OF the dynasty
Lights, flowers colors, Jewels, the human
face and the human form in their most
| allurng guise-stony- hearted would his
highness have been had he not been
charmed by the lovely sight
| To witness final honors to the ruler Of
the great domain which. in the reformed
language calls its center Omaha, more than
| 5000 subjects entered the structure at
Twentieth and Burdette streets. so plain
| to the eye from the outside and so mar
velous within, termed the Dem or by those
| of earlier reigns. the Coliseum. OF this
number about 5000 arrayed themselves in
| the finest that could be obtained in this
or any other kingdom and came prepared
to participate In the joyous dances that
| followed the coronation. The remainder
of the. throng contented itself by Viewing
! the scene
She who had the honor to receive the
crown from the eleventh Ak-Sar-Ben was
Miss Mary Lee McShane, a debutante of
last season and one of the youngest queens
who ever has graced the throne. The king
was Gurdon w. wattles. heretofore presi-
dent Of the board of governors and ele-
waited TO regal heights in the nature OF
! a
Delight to the Eye.
Wonders had been done in Transforming
the Den into place that delighted the eye
and artistic senses. As tradition and con-
venience has wiiled It the throne was at
the north end, with the dancing floor &C.
cupying a rectangle. inside the supporting
posts. These posts were covered with
green cloth and ornamented with garlands
of smilaX from tCN to bottom. Between
them and down the center from the heavy
rafters hung large baskets OF ferns and
palms. At the end of the space opposite
the throne dais was the platform for the
musicians. Like the throne. It was heavily
banked with fernery.
Among the smilax leaves, In the hanging
baskets and playing hide and seek with
the plants, were numbers of green incan-
descent lamps. These nlumined the base OF
the throne dais and the whole place with a
soft and pretty effect. which was main
tanned until the knights entered Then the
myriads of yellow incandescents IN the roof
of the vault twinkled out a flood OF light
Prior to this, however. there was ample
opportunity TO admire the light scheme at
the throne. Above the green zone was one
of dark red, rich hangings sur1nounting the
lamps. Above this was the conventional
railing The throne itself was massive and
With Of ~
lights at the top.
Enter the King.
At o'clock the knights entered from
either side Of the dais. They were attired
in the costumes worn in the electrical
parade. These were noteworthy for variety
and in splendor and colorlng. One hundred
and twelve knights were I'm the march.
which was led by w. II Elbourn and Cap
tain Charles Richardson. Foresters in Lin
coin green rubbed elbows with kings var
let's with PretOrians OF the Roman regime
vikings with persons dressed like the
friends of Queen Isabella. hussars with
Turks. Indians, sailors, nymphs. Florentines
and cowboys.
Then the knights drew up. hfty-slx on
either side, and the music changed from
a lively march to a stately air Slowly
and in courtly fashion. preceded by page
bearing his crown and fanked on either
side by the bishops who we're TO crown
him. walked the king, tall and imposing
his robes just Ike those told about in
fairy stories. FAk-sar- Ben XI certainly
; had no need TO blush on account OF
, clothes.
Following his majesty came the faithful
r board OF governors: Emil Brandeis. c. r.
Courtney, Gould Dietz. w. s. Jardine, A.
. J Love, II. J. Penfold. c. H. Plckens, All
! Powell c. N. Robinson, J. C. Root and
George F. West The governors had donned
court dress all In white, trimmed with
, gold They wore knee breeches and the
style of coat affected at the court Of the
FIRST Napoleon.
Mounting the throne the king was
crowned by his two bishops The govern
ors remained in extended order down the
, moor.
: Queen Sets New Precedent
3 Another custom was broken in the en-
E trance Of the escort TO the queen These
fourteen young women. each in white. with
short tulle wells held in place with ostrich
tips and carrying red American Beauty
p. roses. came on the floor from the throne
dais With a half walk. half dance step
j reminiscent of the minuet and oourtly
\ days, they proceeded down the hall 10 a
tapestried bower In the far southwest
q corner where the queen was harbored.
Without sufficient lapse OF time TO be called
pause the eseortng maids resppeared
|. and made their way In pairs, they had
. entered. back to the throne.
Appear the queen and salvos Of applause.
Every inch queen did she look and seem.
y Tall and imperious. yet full OF gracious
smiles that came and went. betokening no
nervousness. but the dignihed mein that
K Is counterpart to royalty. These smiles
: appeared and disappeared as acquaintances
were recognized In democratic fashion.
J. Each one brought a fresh burst OF hand
: olapping. Surrounded by her pages her