The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-22
PRESIDENT DANCES
AT SOUTHERN BALL
First Chief Executive Since Gen Arthur TO Drop
Into WhirI of TerpSichOre Pearce
Horne Is the HOnOred Partner.

The annual bail of the Southern Re
lief Society. an organization Of women
FOR the purpose Of taking care Of needy
families of men who served in the Con-
federate army. was given last night in
the bathrooms Of the New Willard. with
President Taft as the guest Of honor.
The President arrived about Il o'clock
and was escorted to the ballroom from
the F street entrance TO the hotel Guests
assembled about the ballroom doors, Ieav-
ing a wide aisle for him 70 pass through.
II was a very graceful and stately ar
r8ngement, and the President entered the
room with Magnus Thompson on one side
and his military aid. Capt Archibald
Butt, on the other.
He passed down the receiving line, COM
posed Of Mrs. William F. Dennis. presi-
dent of the society, assisted by Mrs
Dickinson, wife of the Secretary OF War
and Mrs. Matthew T. Scott, president
general of the D. a. r. He greeted each
and shook hands cordially. He then Of
fered his arm TO Mrs. Dennis and started
TO the box reserved for him in the middle
OF the room. Mrs. Dickinson followed
them. escorted by Mr.. Dennis, and Mrs.
Scott I'd Mr.. Thompson followed them
10 the box. making a pretty little process
sion.
Music and Decorations,
The box was roony one, fitted up with
easy chairs. one especially large for the
President, and festooned with Southern
smilax gracefully draped from the mu-
slcians' gallery overhead. The Marine
Band and the cavalry Band furnished the
music and after the President had held
a reception In the box. meeting and greet
ing almost all the distinguished guests.
he expressed a desire TO take a turn on
the floor, and chose for his partner one
Of the handsomest women in the ball
room, Mrs. Pearce Horne. who was for
merly Miss Hin, OF Virginia. a niece Of
Gen. a. 2. Hill, of Virginia.
wave Of delight passed over the ball
room when it was discovered that the
President was really danclng, like an
ordinary citizen, and yet not like an or
binary citizen, for he danced better than
any man on the floor
1t was very remarkable sight 10 see a
man Of such great size dancing so grace
fully and SO lightly. II has been said OF
the President that during his long stay
In the Philippines he not only danced a
great deal, but he learned many OF the
fancy dances Of the natives there and
became an adept in the art.
The President and Mrs. Horne danced
once around the ballroom. and then the
President returned to his box. very
warm, but with the plain evidence that
he had thoroughly enjoyed the expert
ence. Mrs Dickinson famed him with
her beautiful ostrich feather fan a little.
but It seemed a little useless, for he did
not display any Of that breathlessness
which many smaller men experience.
Mrs. Horne IS a very handsome blond,
and wore a charming gown Of salmon
pink crepe de chine. with valenciennes
lace inserted the length Of the princess
gown from the neck to the edge Of the
skirt, which was dancing length, grace
fully. curved to the figure. and trimmed
with lace and pearls. She wore pearl ana
diamond ornaments. 1t is not on record
of any President Of the United States
dancing since the days Of President Ar
thur, who was not only a graceful dancer.
but was very fond Of It,
Mrs. Dennis wore a superb gown Of
white China crepe heavily and elaborateIv
embroidered in white silk. with trimmings
OF deep white silk fringe, and she wore
pearls and diamonds in collar and hair
AIRS. Dickinson wore a very handsome
costume Of gray brocaded satin, with en-
broidery of gray on the bodice the dram
cry of which was finished with a band
OF ermine. which ran over the shoulder
and down the back of the trained skirt.
Mrs Matthew T. Scott was In white
satin. with deep band of embroidery
about the skirt and on the bodice, which
was finished with deep rose point lace.
Her ornaments were splendid diamonds.
Guests of the DenniseS.
MI and Mrs Dennis. who occupied two
boxes, had as their guests Mrs. Dickin-
son. Mrs. Scott. Senator and Mrs Bourne.
Senator and Mrs. Bailey. Mrs. Coleman,
Mrs. Charles n. Riker, OF Harrodsburg.
KY. daughter of Mrs Dennis: Nine.
Adee. or London. and Mrs. ". p Lincoln,
OF Louisville. KY. Mrs. Bourne wore
gown Of white satin and lace; Mrs. Bailey