Omaha daily bee., 1912-09-29

wives stationed in the city with tht
Department Of the Missouri, at For
Crook and with the signal corps at For
Omaha are always special guests at tht
ball
The officers with their brass buttons
and military regalia lend tone and bril-
llancy to the scene. But the women IL
their finest gowns give most color, bright
ness and variety. The ball is the one
part of Ak-Sar- Ben In which the women
have an opportunity to shine. They heal
about the initiation doings at the Den al
summer and when fall comes. make the
men folk pay for their fun by purchasing
new gowns for the ball.
The thousands Of lights and the bunting
In the Ak-Sar-Ben colors-red, green and
yellow-make gay and luminous setting
for the richly-costumed participants,
The music is inspiriting but most in
spiriting of all Is the feeling Of loyalty
to Ak-Sar-Ben which fills everyone.
There are some real romances at nearly
every ball. Many young man has met
his fate while tripping the light fantastic
in the old Ak-Sar-Ben den. Several have
even SO far forgotten themselves as to
loose their hearts to maidens from out
side the realm Of Quivera- But they are
living here happily as good citizens so
no one brings reproaches-
| Outshines All Rivals.
! As to the standing which the Ak-Sar-
Ben ball has when compared to similar
events in other parts of the country
travellers who have visited the balls Of
Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the
Yelled Prophet In st. Louis say that the
Omaha event rivals and even exceeds
them in magnificance.
1t is rumored that this years ball will
be more splendid that all of the other
seventeen that have gone before. 1t will
be the largest ever held here and the
Coliseum will be taxed to it's limits. The
membership of the knights is now 2,2OO
and fully 1000 people are expected to
attend.
| The army people will be out in force
as usual. Heading the officers and their
wives of the department will be Major
and Mrs. Fred d. Evans. General and
Mrs. Frederick A. Smith will not be pres
ent this year owing to Mrs. Smiths ILL
ness Heading the delegation from Fort
Crook will be Colonel and Mrs. William
Butler, the colonel being in command Of
the Fourth infantry there. Major and
Mrs. Carl Hartman and other officers
and their wives will be present from
Fort Omaha.
There will be q large number Of at
tractive out-of-town women as honor
guests-maids and matrons from cities
all the way from New York to Los
Angeles Among the visitors who have
been summoned by Samson. lord high
chamberlain, to attend her Majesty the
new queen Of Ak-Sar-Ben as ladies-in-
waiting and will obey the summons are
Mrs. Hoxie Clark of New York who is
visiting her mother Mrs Ella ]. squires
and Mrs. Herbert Gannett who is with
her mother, Mrs. Charles T. Taylor and
who as Miss tMable Taylor was maid of
honor to Mrs. Gertrude Kountze-Stewart
Mrs. Grace Allen Clark and Mrs. Edith
Smith Day when they were queen.
Big Demand for Flowers.
The florists are preparing for the big
demand which always comes for flow
ers for the ball. They are forcing the
orchids in their green-houses-also the
American Beauties and chrysanthemums
ums
Work inside the Den Is going on very
strenuously. Workmen are scurrying
about, pounding and hammering and
making ready for the ball. On one
day next week the royal cortege will
practice for It's entrance The knights
will go through their steps for the grand
march, the board Of governors and the
special maids chosen to attend the
queen will practice their part in the
coronation ceremony.
In addition to the paid corps of work
ers, which is hustling day and night at
the Den and in Samson's office, the ball
committee composed Of ex-kings, is CIV
ing large amount Of gray matter,
energy and time toward making this
year. Joseph Barker the present king
of Ak-Sar-Ben, is chairman of the ball
committee and has been on the commit
tee for four years. Everett Buckingham
and Gould Dietz are the others,
A prominent society matron, who has
no place on the committee or any title
connected with Ak-Sar-Ben, but who
works with her husband each year to
make the ball success. Is Mrs. Joseph |
Barker, Many plans for its elaboration |
have evolved from her ingenious mind.
The bali of 1912 will follow the plan
of those of former years, except that |
the concert, which has been a feature
of the circus given on initiation nights
will precede the coronation ceremony.
1t will be given at the foot Of the steps
in front of the throne, where all may
have a good view.
March About he Hall.
Following the concert. the knights ar
rayed In the costumes, which they will
wear on the floats of the big parade
Wednesday evening, will give a grand
march about the hall. Then the digni-
fled board of governors which regulates
the business of Ak-Sar-Ben will enter
The king, who is always one of Omaha's
most prominent business or professional
men and loyal booster for Ak-Sar-Ben
will come next. Everyone is guessing
who the king will be this year, but his
identity will remain secret until he
enters the hall next Friday.
The queens attendants, always the
flower Of Omaha's maidenhood and
daughters Of the city's foremost citizens,
precede the royal consort First march
four duchesses, then twelve princesses of