The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-03-04
read his inaugural. When he finished

there was an artillery salute.
The procession was then reformed for
its return to the White House, but was
sadly diminished in numbers, the severe
cold compelling portion of the military,
and large number of the civilians, to
fall out of line and return to their quar-
tiers. Many were quite benumbed and
several were frost bitten. The West
Point cadets in particular suffered Sc
verely, and some Of the smaller instru-
ments in the brass bands were frozen up
so as to be useless.
The police had received instructions to
clear Pennsylvania avenue from the Capt.
tol to the Treasury Department of all
vehicles between the hours of Z and 10
p. M, and at night the broad wooden
pavement was fairly covered with men,
women and children. The Capitol was
Illuminated, the light in the dome shining
out like beacon far above the twinkling
rows of street lamps and lanterns on
either side of Washington's great thor
oughfare Many of the buildings were
ablaze with illuminations in gas jets;
others lighted by candles or hung with
lanterns; and at the Capitol gates were
two large search lights which made the
avenue as bright as monday fully half
way to the Treasury. At the south
front of the Treasury was another of
these lights and smaller ones We're placed
at intervals between the two points The
fireworks began promptly at 7 O'Clock
and were very fine, and despite the
severe cold We're witnessed by a large
and jolly crowd.
Our work done and copy filed at the
telegraph office we We're seated in the
World office on 18th street, then News
paper Row, Mr.. Adams awaiting the re-
port of the inauguration ball A little
after midnight Miss Snead drove up in
the carriage furnished by the World and
III handing in her report urged that we
should go to the ball, which, having had
strenuous day, we had not thought of
doing. But yielding to her persuasions
we stepped into the carriage and started
for the scene of festivities. This was in
building erected specially for the pur-
pose on or near the site of the present
Pension building. 1t was $50 feet long
by $50 feet wide, its roof supported by
arches, and was deliberately decorated.
The building cost nearly 100000, all of
which was contributed by citizens of the
district. An additional building for the
accommodation of the press cost 81, 500
and contained dressing rooms. reception
and writing rooms. The supper room
was 300 by IS feet, a table four feet
wide running its entire length. The sup
per was prepared in New York, and sixty
cars We're chartered to bring the provis-
ions, cooks, etc, from that city. The
baking and preparing alone cost $4,000,
the hire of dishes S., 200, with breakage
to be made good. One item of this sup
per was 1000 quail on toast. Other
dishes were 100, 200 fresh oysters, 5000
picked oysters, Is boned turkeys of 10
pound each, IS roast turkeys of II pounds
each, $50 roast capons stuffed with truf-
fies, Is saddles of mutton of about 100
pounds each, 40 pieces of spiced beef of
40 pounds each. 400 partridges, Is boars'
heads, stuffed and ornamented, 1900
cheese sandwiches, 300 ham sandwiches,
5000 beef tongues, 300 barrels of salad,
etc. The dessert was in proportion, and
the drinkables included champagne, 300
gallons of claret punch, tea, coffee and
chocolate.
No provision had been made for heat
ing this temporary building, but the thou
ands of gas jets had been kept burning
all day and gas stoves introduced where
possible, but notwithstanding the tenn
perature was like that of an ice house.
Some ladies were in regulation ball cos
sumes, with low-necked, short-sleeved
gowns; others more prudent wore furs
and their outdoor wraps. The result of the
exposure kept the physicians of Wash
ington busy for some time after, and
there were many deaths.
The steamer Lady of the Lake, which
ran between Norfolk and Washington,
called at Fortress Monroe on the after
noon of March Sd to take on troops which
were to join in the inaugural procession.
Lieut. j A. Fessenden of the Artillery,
and Mrs. Fessenden, We're among those
on board They had a very rough night
in Chesapeake bay and the lower Poto-
mac and the lives of all were in great
danger. Capt. Partridge Of the Lady of
the Lake was completely exhausted when
he reached Washington and the exposure
to wet and cold brought on rheumatism
which resulted in his death about year
later l remember seeing him on board
the steamer in a wheel chair during the
summer, a physical wreck. He was
Maine man, but l do not recollect from
what part Of the State. The purser Of
the Lady of the Lake, Mr.. Fairbrother,
was also Maine man, and think came
from Skowhegan or vicinity. Both men
were deservedly popular with the travel
ling public.