Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-02-10
FIRST PRESIDENCY AS HOSTS
uufcc Northumberland re-
calling Almost Forgotten Incidents,
Banquet and Dancing Features.


century ago. From the walls looked
down portraits OF well remembered
and revered faces men who had all
SO participated IN the festivities OF
It's past events, and had led On the
great march and struggle which mark
ed the attainment OF such vantage as
could give time 10 pleasure Every
past president Of the Latter day
saints church. together with men who
we're prominent IN It's history were
represented there IN portrait ana rem
iulscence. throughout the memorable
scene.
The festivity began with an old time
early supper served in the lower han
where long lines Of tables showed
bright with flowers and ferns, sprnk-
IKE danodils. pots OF blooming hya-
cnths and gernaneums, interspersed
with viands so dainty chosen aud
served that they were In themselves
q part OF the decoration. Afterward
Goa the hall upstairs came the program
from a stage converted BIZ tireIcss
hands ana generous donation into a
luxurious drawing room. Then came
the dancing on the polished hardwood
floor laid 70 supplant the olduue
planks hewn from native canyon trees
in days OF old
Feet grown weary with steps OF care
worn shoe and tripped with old time
sprightliness through the lively cotil-
lion Of pioneer days Then came the
benedictlon dismissiong an to their
respective homes, with "thc blessing
OF the Lord
This the ensemble OF the memorable
scene which reopened Social Hall the
detail was picturesque and most inter-
csting and Is given below.
The re-opening OF the Old Social Han.
on State street, last evening. as a place
of wholesome amusement for the Lat
ter-day Saints, was made notable by
the presence OF many veteran pioneers.
and members OF their families who
gathered In glad response 10 the invith-
ton extended TO them by the first
presidency OF the Church.
The old building has been thoroughly
renovated, but not materially changed
IL Is as substantial and safe now as
when first built and IS another monu-
ment Of the thorough manner of con-
struction which characterized AN public
cdihces erected under President
Noung's supervision.
FIRST PRESIDENCY HOSTS.
The first presidency were the hosts
OF the occasion, and their aids wera
Edna l. Smith, Susie " Gates, Ann
d. Groesbeck, and other ladies' Of the
auxiliary committee OF the Genealogical
society
Among the guests were all the mem-
bers Of the quorum OF apostles now IN
The city. also Hiram b. Clawson, John
7. Caine, Mrs. Margaret Clawson, Pa
triarch John Smith, Bishop George
Romney A. Milton Musser. Bathsheba
w. smith. Emmeline b. Wells, Bishop
Charles W Nibey, Bishop David n.
smith, President Ncphi l.. Morris.
President Richard W. Young, President
Frank Y. Taylor and other prominent
members Of the Church, with their
wives and daughters.
The company commenced gathering
OF an early hour. as Of yore p. M.
and all were soon engaged In cxchang-
ing "reminiscences concerning dances.
theatricals. and meetings Of various
Kinds which have taken place In the
hall during tho many years intervening
since its erection in 1852
-Four long tables plentifully covered ]
with tempting catablcs We're Ga The
basement. and, at Z p. m the guests
were seated. 4 blessing was asked by
President Lund, and the delicious ana
elaborate dinner which clever cooks
had prepared, and fair mattresses serv-
ga pleasingly was thoroughly enjoyed
Afterwards the company adjourned 10
ine assembly room, where the follow
.ns impromptu program was rendered
PRESIDENT Joseph i. Smith acting as
chairman.
IMPRoMPTU PROGRAM
Tho assemhlagc. led by Elder Hyrum
VI, smith. sang the hymn. God moves
DID a mysterious way President Smith
gave a brief statement concerning the
intended uses OF the Social Hall. when
ID
was 20 supply the then existing need
ior recreation hall. for an manner of
'musemcnts such as Latter-day Saints
might properly enjoy. stringent rules
were made in regard TO dances.
hound' dancing WAS not permitted.
ana proper dccorum on am occasions
was Insisted upon. He referred 10 the
llet that President Brigham Young.
Heher G. Klmbal!. Daniel "A. Wells ana
o'ner prominent men whom DC named
frequently participated Zoo the dances
POI mis- han. u has been used for
sIeat variety OF purposes. and IL has
hp" been renovated with the intention
'i again making u place Tor the
SAINTS % come and enjoy themselves
"s ln olden times. ana win now be- re-
dedicated for that purpose.
REDEDICATION
ne dedlcatory prayer was then Of
,.Ieu by Presiding Bishop Charles ".
-N'pley A. Milton Musser "a member
". the building committee said that
Mhnn the committee first met they were
informed by President Young that ho
wanted them TO erect "fun hail." Tho
St edker related SOME incidents connect
,1 win the building, and told about
'ne converting of The United States
yooli ln The basement under tho Juris-
"'.'nh ~ Judge 81. clair.
dphn It. Cainc spoke OF his arrival iu
ssall Lake city Do 1859. at the time the
social nam was hrst opened and told
ol ils Joining the Dcseret Dramatic ass
e',Iaupn. which provided tho thcatrI- |
,ai performances in the hail. ne gave
'he historical information concerning /
D'. drama ln early times bon Salt Lake I
wy ana oulogizod President Young I
.a lh regard 90 permitting nothing |
y. good plays 20 bee presented no. |
llinel The audience that hc and his I
.lnlly lived in tho han for some time /
"i4 hi5 eldest son was bonn there.
n, resident Smith spoke of having seen |
.iIain .. OlaWson on tho stage. ln |
Ntealilcal performance. in Nauvo0 /
e.n,out 1894 lie introduced Hiram 49, /
, 'a"aon as 'the youngest old man of I
~, acquaintance, except President /
HIRAM 49, CLAWsoN.
Hiram "A Claweon rosnouded atatfnr /