The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-05-12
GOVERNOR GlLcHRIST'S ANNUAL
RECEPTION A BEAUTIFUL
AFFAIR

The most brilliant function in the
states social calendar is the biennial
reception to Florida's lawmakers and
citizens in general, given during the
legislative session by the governor,
at the executive mansion. This func-
ton is also the most democratic, for
at it is gathered 9Th people" There
the president or the senate touches
elbows with the janitor of the house,
and the black-coated man of fashion
hob-nobs with his neighbor, who, per-
haps, with this notable exception, has
never been hidden to an affair where
sack coats and negligee shirts are not
worn as a matter of course.
The governor reception for 1911,
held on the evening of the End day
of May, was an exceptionally brilliant
affair, the beautiful gowns of the wo-
men and the respondent uniforms of
the states military officers present
lending pleasing air of distinction,
and presenting marked contrast to
the sober blacks and grays of the
rank and file of the male contingent.
The decoration of the mansion was
carried out under the able and arts
tic supervision of the governors mil
itary secretary, Maj. H. L. Bethel,
and the effect produced was exceed
ingly beautiful. The grounds were
brilliantly Illuminated, and five-foot
electric star glowed radiantly from
amidst the folds of the nations flag,
gracefully draped above the front
door. About the broad verandas palms
and ferns were grouped, forming bow
ers for the f1ower-decked tables from
which great bowls of punch were
served by ladies detailed for the occa-
sion. In the hall were arranged me-
mentos of Governor Gilchrist's time of
service in the Spanish American war,
swords, guns, machetes, portraits and
flags, besides many more beautiful
souvenirs of his sojourn in the Span
ish province of Cuba. Along with
these were souvenirs suggestive also
of the civil war, and portraits of sew
eral of the heroes whose names are
household words in the south. The
drawing rooms and dining room,
thrown wide to the guests, who filed
every bit of space on the lower floor,
were brilliant with tiny pink and red
petals of innumerable roses.
In the drawing room on the left of
the entrance stood the receiving line,
Gov. Gilchrist at the head with, his
mother, Mrs. ]. G. Gibbes, of Column
bia. S. G. Next came Hon. F. B. Cone,
president of the senate, and Mrs.
Cone; Hon. T. A. Jennings, speaker
OF the house, and Mrs. Jennings; JUS
tice and Mrs. c. B. Parkhill, Secretary
of State H. c. Crawford and Miss
Crawford, Attorney General Park
Trammell and Mrs. Trammell, State
Treasurer w. v. Knott and Mrs.
Knott, Superintendent W. M. Hollo-
way and Mrs. Holloway and Commits
sioner B. e. McLin and Mrs. McLin.
The hostess, whose years weigh
lightly upon her, is the embodimc~t of
gracious hospitality, and had a spe-
cial word of welcome for everyone.
In this respect her distinguished son
is like her. Mrs. Gibbes was gowned
in white marquisette over silk, with
exquisite trimmings of old lace and
pearls, and carried bouquet of Eas-
ter lilies.
At 1920 dancing began, the music
being furnished by an orchestra sta
toned at the farther end of the hail.
and though the number of dancers
filled the rooms rather uncomforta-
bly, this part of the entertainment
was greatly enjoyed until midnight.
Among the. guests present there
were large number who came to the
Capital City for the especial purpose
of attending the reception, and 9TH
ers still who happened to be here on
Observation-Disclosures Cor. to Sun
days Times Union.