Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-05
ager of the camp, assisted by Mis-, Louise |
Stanton.
At Ballv McElrov.

Among the out-of-town celebrations of
the Fourth of July, that at Bally McElroN
the country home of Col John McElroy,
was one of the largest. Col. McEroy came
up from his farm in Fairfax county and
accompanied his guests from Washington.
Although he had taken precautions to have
extra cars to carry his guests, it was found
that two additional coaches were neces-
sary, and the train was held nearly an
hour in Washington while the additional
accommodation were provided.
Arrived at their destination the guests
found at the entrance to the Bal!y McEl-
roy estate a wide arch of cedar and pine
was erected with the word welcome over
the top. The white stone terraced walk up
the hill on which the home stands was
lined with flowers and another arch Of
cedar and pine with large silk flag floating
from the center greeted the arriving guests
at the end of the graveled walk.
The guests of honor were the officers of
the Department of the Potomac, Grand
Army of the Republic, headed by the de-
partment commander Newton Ferree, and
the officers of the Woman's Relief Corps,
Department of the Potomac. The depart
ment president Mrs. Isabel Worreu Ball,
assisted Mrs. McElroy and presented the
guests they arrived. Hot coffee and
iced lemonade, both of which were ION
tap all day to all corners, We're served
at once and brief rest under the beauti-
fully decorated canopy and the big trees
was enjoyed before the regular program
was taken up.
At II o'clock, led by Mrs Libbie Porter,
the army nurse, carrying the handsome
silk flag recently presented to the depart
ment president, the Dan Williams Drum
Corps, which led the march through the
woods from the station and Commander
Ferree, with Mrs. McEiroy, took up the
line of march to the flag staff on the point
of the hill to raise the colors. The invo-
cation was pronounced by Rev. ]. s. Bal
linger, and then when the filters played
the Star Spangled Banner Commander
Ferree slowly sent the big flag to the top
of the staff amid cheers and shout;. On
the return to the house came an enjoyable
musical feature. Mrs. William Key Miller
sang the Star Spanged Banner" assisted
by the audience, some 400 strong. the
Washington party having been augmented
by most of the residents of that corner of
Fairfax county. The national salute of
forty-fiye guns was then fired by Mr. X p,
McElroy, chief of ordnance assisted by
Miss Happy Lowe, assistant chief. The
grub call was then sounded.
Picnic Dinner.
Dinner was eaten in true picnic STYLE the
groups being scattered about under the
trees, over 100 of the special guests being
seated at the long tables under the can
opy stretched for that purpose. From two
tables lemonade was served by Mrs. Ball
and her assistants of the Woman's Relief
Corps, and two little ladies. Miss Helen
prescott ana MISS Josephine OlQrOyd
Tiefenthaler. both OF Washington.
Out under spreading locust tree Capt
o. H. Oldroyd, commanding the forces of
occupation served real soldier coffee
from a real soldier camp kettle which
had been placed over a very hot and real"
campfire. In buckets, tin cups and bowls,
with cream and sugar this steaming and
invigorating beverage was dealt out to
the 400 guests with unsparing hand. it's
preparation being under the charge of the
Woman's Relief Corps
The ASSEMBLY called all together under
the canopy and the fag-decorated locust
trees for the afternoon program. Col.
McElroy gave brief welcoming address,
in which he sketched the historic mpor-
lance of Virginia in the early annals of
the country, and the historic interests
which centered in and around the spot on
which his guests were being entertained.
He stated that this was the third annual
Fourth of July celebration at Bally Nc
Elroy, and he expected to give one each
year. He extended a hearty welcome to
all, with an invitation to come again a
year hence. Col. McElroy then presented
Commander Ferree to preside. Commander
Ferree stated that the occasion was one
of inspiration, and he, for one, was glad
to be present to aid in spreading the love
of the flag and of the institutions of the
country. He thought the day was one for
noise and enjoyment, and he favored every
expression of patriotic enthusiasm that the
young mind could invent. For himself, he