Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-05
OUT OF TOWN PICNIC
GUESTS ENTERTAINED AT BALLY
McELRoY YESTERDAY.
Music and Addresses Precede Dinner
Decorations Elaborate-List
Of the Guests

| -Decorations Elaborate-Ltst
Of the Guests
Among the private out town picnic par
ties yesterday that which enjoyed the hospi-
| tally Of Col. John Mclllroy at his Virginia
| farm. Baliy McElroy. In Fairfax county.
was probably the largest. Col McElroy and
his son, Mr.. Karl p. McElroy, had provided
special cars for the Washington party.
which left the city at 1905 am, returning at
7:30 pm. At the station at Ok Road Cross
ing, the more than century old name for
the crossroads stopping place which has
just been changed to Colchester. the name
OF the one-time colonial town at that point.
wagons met the members of the party and
those who desired to ride over the Virginia
hills to Bally McElroy did so. but most OF
them preferred to pile the luggage in the
wagons and hike the mile through the
woods.
The Bally McElroy home stands upon
high hill. jutting out into the landscape
which skirts the historic Occoquan, where
Col. McElroy has mile and a half of river
front palisaded like the Hudson, down to
the historic crossing which Washington and
his troops used in the march to Yorktown
and return, and where the placid stream
spreads out into Occoquan bay, afrording a
fine view. On the point of the hill below,
along whose slope is planted fine vine
yard, rises 1OO-foot flagstaff, from which
the flag floats whenever Col McElroy is lat
home" which can be seen at Mount vernon.
The house, which Is Of unique architec-
ture, constructed of cement. has two large
hreplaces. These were banked full Of laurel
cedars and pine, and the same greens filled
the corners of the octagonal rooms, all be-
ing gemmed with small flags. Above one
mantel was a large flag draped over
President Lincoln.
Along the wall In another room was ranged
some OF the corn raised on Bally McElroy,
standing twelve feet high with two, three
and four ears to the stalk. Great vases
and bowls Of roses, ferns and all the fine
old-fashioned flowers banked the windows
and mantels and stood on fancy tables,
arrangement of the. products Of the place,
while the pillars OF the porch were made
to resemble the famous cornstalk pillars
of Jefferson in the Capitol.
Feature Of Hillside Decorations.
One of the features of the hillside decora-
ton is the fine white stone terraced walk.
bordered with oId-fashioned flowers, which
climbs the hill to the house In tiers of
steps between the overreaching branches
Of pear, peach and black-heart cherry
trees. The march from the station through
the woods was led by the Rechabite fife
and drum corps in full uniform. and they
walked the echoes over the historic trail
with patriotic airs.
|. The exercises began Immediately after the
party gathered on the hill, where they were
met by party almost as large, composed
Of the residents of this section Of Virginia.
Handsome programs wewre distributed, tied
with red white and blue ribbon and bearing
the picture of Sic Semper Tyrannis" shak-
ing hands with veteran, and below the
legend, Should auld acquaintance be for
got?"
The invocation was pronounced by Maj.
Z he fnI1o ,fxxrpx tal,% 10 av,A
emony was the raising of the flag by Mr..
Karl p. McElroy, who was also chief of ord
nance, an whdo fired forty-six guns as
national salute. "A little in advance of the
stars on the flag" 1t was announced lie
had as assistant chief of ordnance Miss
Happy Lowe The address of welcome
was given by Col. McElroy.
The soioist of the day was Mrs. William
Key Miller and she led in singing THE
Star Spangled Banner" assisted by Miss
Laura V. French, musical director, and the
assembled people. The declaration of INDIE
pendence was read by Mrs. Isabel Worren
Ball. Little Miss Josephine Oldroyd Tiefen-
thaler then gave the flag salute, and after
the applause had died away recited Nes-
bits Your Flag and My Flag arousing
tremendous enthusiasm.
A letter OF regret from Mrs. Lillian Car
belle Pickett was read by Mrs. Oldroyd
and a rousing cheer for the wife Of the con-
federate general was given
The Speechmaking.
Speeches were made by George C. Ross OF
Illinois, Gen. John c. Black, Commander B.
P. Entrkin. DR.. Laurence Wilson, Col. L..
K. Brown. president of the Union Soldiers
Alliance, which organization was the spe-
cial guest Of the day; Capt. ]. P. Hart and
many Others eoch vieing with the other in
saying pleasant things of their host. who
had given them welcome which included
"Chiggers. cherries, landscape, boating and
anything else they saw lying round hose"
He declared that 1t gave him great pleasure
as a citizen of Virginia to welcome them
back to the sacred soil OF Old Virgtnny
At the close of the speechmaking Mrs.
Miller sang the old, old song, now out of
printed in music form on the program,
Garry Me Back to Old Virginny." This
was particularly enjoyed by the Virginia
guests and they came in strong on the
chorus.
The bugler sounded the call and dinner
was served at 1890 under a great canopy
stretched between the two houses, where
the table, capable of seating one hundred
coffee, salads, roast chicken and punch to
all Corners. The guests who gathered about
the tables and in little groups near 1t were
waited upon by Mrs. Anna M Baden, Mrs
Ida A. Oldroyd, Mrs Ida J. Hart, Mrs
H ]. Jacobs. Miss M. E. Glennan, Miss
Carey, Mrs Curry and Mrs. Isabel Wor-
rell Ball who ,sss were designated as com
and Mrs. Hannah Clark, designated as
gingerbread artists made and assisted
in serving the great cards of gingerbread
such as mother used to make" and such
are familiar to all southern tables Miss
Helen Prescott. Miss Josephine Tiefen-
thaler Miss Happy Lowe and Miss Annie
Laurie Allenge served the punch.
The Invited Guests.
Just before taking the trail for the
homeward trip the flag was lowered with
salute of forty-six guns Mrs. Miller led IN
singing a number of patriotic airs, a vote
of thanks was given Mrs. Clark and Miss
Alling, the gingerbread artists" Mrs Mar
tine Irving sang ''Suwanee River" Amer
lea" was sung and Mrs Ida j. Hart pro-
nounced the benediction.
The absence of Mrs. McElroy, wife of the
host, who made things so pleasant for his
guests last year. was noted by the guests
with regret. Mrs McElroy is In Texas with
her daughter. Mrs. Elsie McElroy-Slater.
Those who accepted Col. McElroy's hos
pitality were Gen. John c. Black Col L. K
Brown, o. s. Firman, E. r. Campbell,
George c. Ross. Capt James P. Hart and