Putnam patriot., 1911-03-03
Firemen's Annual Ball.


 ball of the four companies comprising
 the Putnam Fire Department, Hook
 and Ladder No. l, and Hose eom-
 panieS l, ,, and 5, was held in Union
 Hall Monday evening. The l1th an- nual far surpassed any of the past sim | liar events and this is saying a good deal as year after year the affair has been made more and more elaborate and successful until it seemed as if it would be impossible to advance fur ther. The firemen may well feel proud Iof their efforts and the large gathering and words of praise heard on all sides must have in part repaid them for the hard work done to bring this ball to so delightful consuma- tion.
 It was indeed gay, lively scene. It is estimated that between eight and nine hundred people were present. | Many came from the surrounding towns and some from distant cities. 1 There were many pretty women hand somely gowned in white and colors. The firemen wore their uniforms, all adding to the aspect bit of color. The American Decorating company of South Birmingham transformed the hall into as pretty a temporary bali room as one might wish to see. With the chandelier as center, pink, white and green bunting was run in all di- rections to the side walls. The sides were draped in the same colors inter- sperSed with banners and shields of 1 the national colors. Several large pie lures of ii ire scenes added to the effect. A banner over the stage bore the in- scription, "Welcome to Our Annual Ball" The edge of the stage was lined with small evergreen trees from which peeped forth hundreds of colored in- candescent lights. The top of the stage was canopied in green and white bunting making a perfect orchestra balcony. There surely was nothing left to be desired in the line of Ideeora- tions. Oh yes and the moon. When the lights were dimmed a miniature moon looked out from its place above the orchestra with wise old smile and as the dancers circlcd the hall in this pale light to turing waltz, he just kept a-smiling and a-smiling and a-smiling. These numbers were en- cored again and again.
 The guests began to arrive about half past seven and from then until after nine o'clock there was a steady inflow of people. At eight o'clock Cargill orchestra, F. E. Irving direct or, began concert program of several numbers. At nine o'clock Frank E. Murray, prompter, took charge land called for the formation of the grand march. The march was led by Chief Mark H. Wilson and Miss Sarah Barnes assisted by Assistant B. K. Smith and wife. It was almost inn possible to count the couples accurate ly but it is safe to say that there were not less than 150 couples in the line. A program of twenty numbers was then danced with an intermission about midnight.
 A quartet of boys, Kenneth Sharpe, Wallace Smith, Leslie Heath and Seward Lowe, sang several of the dance numbers with the orchestra. The ladies of the Relief Corps served a lunch of sandwiches, cake, ice cream and coffee in room on the corridor and they were well patronized. It was 2.30 a. m. when the last strains of the Home, Sweet Home waltz'brought to close one of the best dances that has ever been held in the city.
 The committees in charge were as follows
 Floor Director-J. A. P. Gagne.