The National tribune., 1908-01-09
NEW YEAR GREETINGS.
The Departmental the Potomac Woman's
Relief Corps GiveA Brilliant Reception
to Veterans.

NEW YEAR GREETINGS.
Relief Corps GiveA Brilliant Reception
to Veterans.
OF all the receptions in Washington
on New Year Day, only the Presidents
was more brilliant and more largely at
tended than the reception of the De-
partment of the Potomac, Woman's Re-
lief Corps. The reception was held in
Grand Army Hall, some of the largest
halls i'll the city, and was specially deco
rated for the purpose by Capt. o. II.
Oldroyd, under the direction of the De-
partment President, Mrs. Isabel Wor-
rell-Ball. The bare wall expanse and
high ceiling make effective decoration
of the hall almost1 impossible. but 1t
was admitted by all that nothing finer
had ever been achieved in decoration
Handsome bunting flags Is feet in
length were used on the side walls, and
hung smooth and straight between the
columns of the hall, upon which were
shields and anchors in cedar. The ef-
feet was a wall of flags and supporting
columns. Across the end of the hall
back of the platform a 45-foot flag was
draped from ceiling to floor and side to
side, and in front of it stood forest of
beautiful pine trees. the flag rising in
billows above these. The front of the
platform had more small pines, and in
the center front stood the beautiful silk
flag presented to Mrs. Ball by Phil
Sheridan Corps last Flag Day, in COM
plimem to her for having been the first
to institute Flag Day in the District of
Columbia, she being at that time De-
partment Secretary. The hall was
dresse. to represent a parlor, ano at
one side stood the refreshment table,
piled full of toothsome viands and gilt
tor In rrl, -ttN ANN
the array none was handsomer than the
silver service which came to Mrs Ball
with many expressions of good will and
esteem from the Department of Ken
lucky On Christmas Day. 1t is hand
somely engraved with her initials. An
Italian band played among the pines on
the platform all during the reception
hours, the program being made up of
old-time airs and patriotic melodies,
many of which were taken up by the
guests and sung with gusto. Delight
full features were the singing by MEM
berS of one of the colored Camps of
Spanish War Veterans, drum solos by
Drummer Boy" Springstein, recita-
tions by Miss Mary Ford, one of the De-
partment Aids, and later dancing by
the younger people. The hours were
from 1890 to 6. Guests We're still ar
irving when the lights were turned out
at Z.
Mrs. Ball was assisted in receiving by
her Department Staff. by Department
Commander Newton Ferree, Past De-
partment Presidents, Corps Presidents,
Department Aids ard the Department
mascot, little Josephine Oldroyd Tiefen-
thaler, granddaughter of the Past Ma
tional Junior Vice President and De-
partment Counselor, Mrs. Ida A. Old
royd. The reception was the largest
ever held in the history of the Depart
ment over 1000 guests having been en-
tertained. Among these were the Grand
Army of the Republic, headed by the
Department Commander and staff, some
300 strong; the Spanish War Veterans
of the District, 200 strong, led by De-
partment Commander E. l.. Cogan and
staff: the Army and Navy Union, at
whose head was Chief
Brown and staff; the Union Veteran
Union, Union Veteran Legion, the vari-
Gus Camps of Sons OF Veterans the Dis
trict National Guard, Brig.-Gen. George
H. HarTies commanding, and staff, and
large representations from Fort Myer,
the Marine Barracks and the Navy Yard.
Besides these there were many organi-
cations OF women,s who called to pay
their respects to the Department of
Potomac.
The very first to call was the Old
Guard. Capt. J. M Edgar commanding.
Mrs. Eall was made an honorary men,
ber of the Old Guard some years ago,
and wore the badge of the organization
among her many other decorations.
From that time on the hall was throng-
ed with callers, the dozen little tables
being full all the time, and many re-
manning long past the "code" time for
calls to enjoy the delicious music.
The presentations were made by Mrs.
Emma c. Littlejohn, Department Secre-
tary, and Mrs. Ida NJ. Galloway, Chief
of Staff. The flowers, the flags, the mu-
sic, the brilliant uniforms and hand
some gowns of the ladies made a beau
tiful picture long to be remembered. 1t
is conceded by all that this inter-
change of courtesies between members
of patriotic organizations of women and
veterans Is mutually beneficial and in
spring. The Department of Potomac
is unique among Departments. as the
Department officers, Posts and Corps
can meet on an hours notice.