Milford chronicle., 1912-02-16
MILITIA RECEPTION
FOR GOV. PENNEWILL
Most Brilliant Assembly in History of
Delaware Militia.


men and women from all parts of the
state assembled to do honor to Gov.
ernOr Simeon S. Pennewill, the occasion
beng the annual reception given by
Ine officers of the Organized Militia OF
Delaware to their cOmmander-in-chief.
Not in the history of the Delaware
Militia has there been anything that
could equal the brilliant assemblage that
gathered in the spacious drill hall. Of
the many notable affairs that have been
held there, the reception Monday night
could be said to eclipse all.
Men prominent in all walks of life
were numbered among the guests. The
women guests included the fairest
daughters of the State, and that the as
seInblage was sufficient to make any
State in the Union look to its laurels
When it came to a question of beauty
was subject freely commented upon.
No fairer gathering, it was declared, has
been seen within the borders of Della
ware.
The drill hall was beautifully decora-
ted. On the wall just back of where
the Governor stood during the recep-
tiOn, there was huge banner display
ing the State coat of arms. Beneath
this was hung the Governors official
banner, a pretty blue silk flag with the
State arms woven thereon. On one
side was the American flag and on the
other the cOlOrs of the First Infantry,
Delaware Militia. Draped about the
walls were American flags and red, white
and blue streamers.
Suspended from the ceiling in festOons
were long red, white and blue streamers,
the ends of which were caught up along
the walls by American flags. In addition
to the arc lights used to illuminate the
hall, there were numerous red, white
and blue electric bulbs, which added ma
terially to the effect. The whole scene
was one of beauty that could well have
been mistaken for fairy bower.
Added to all this were the uniforms
of officers. They wore their full dress, |
which were resplendent with gold lace, !
glittering swords and a profusion of |
shining buttons. The dresses of the /
women guests were declared to be mag |
nifcent, and with their own personal |
beauty added, the whole scene could |
hardly be surpassed.
In the conventional black evening
clothes Governor Pennewill stood out
conspicuously amid the uniformed Offic-
ers. In addition to the blue and white
of the militiamen there were flashes of
United States Regular Army and the
Coast Artillery branch, many officers
attending from the forts about Della
ware City.
During the time the guests were ar
irving the First Infantry Band of twen-
ty-eight pieces, one of the best musical
organizations in the city, gave a concert
in the drill hall. The musicians, also in
their dress uniforms, occupied a raised
platform in one corner of the hall. This
was hidden back of banks of palms and +
pOtted plants. II
1t was promptly at $50 O'Clock that
Governor Pennewill appeared. He came f
into the hall on the arm of Adjutant- e
General /. Pusey Wickersham, and was
greeted by Hail to the Chief" by the
band. Accompanying him were those
officers who assisted him in the receiv- r
ing line.
When they had taken their place in
front of the colors, the members of the
personal staff and of the
general staff, accompanied by their
wives or daughters, marched into the
hall and were greeted by the chief exc
cutive. Following them the other guests
passed along the line, Governor Penne-
will had pleasant greeting for all, and
the task was somewhat fati-
yuing, he stood in the line for more than
IN hour, by which time practically all
If the four hundred guests had arrived.
During the reception the band played.
After this formal part of the even
ng's program had been concluded, there
vas dancing. Governor Pennewill led
he first dance with Miss Anne p Ca
lall of Bridgeville, his neice, and the
ponsor for the Battleship Delaware
Vhen it was launched AS soon as the
trains of a lively two-step came from
he band the Governor and his partner
tarted, followed by all the other guests
Who cared to dance. There were many
7hO sat in the balcony and about the
all who did not participate in the dane
lg, but who found pleasure in watch
lg the others.
Later in the evening a luncheon was
erved. 1t was long after midnight be-
ore the last of the guests had departed
or their homes.
During the evening Governor Penne-
yill found time to express his pleasure
nd appreciation of what the militia ]
hicers had done in his honor Il think
is magnificent affair, " he said, land
appreciate very much the honor that
as been shown to me. 1t has afforded
le much pleasure to meet SO. many
eople from all parts of Delaware, and
lis is a splendid representation of the
eople of this state. 1t is one of the
ost brilliant gatherings have ever at
.nded, and it is with difficulty that l
nds words fully to express my gratitude.
reflects great credit upon the men
no have worked so hard to make this
.ception such a success.
The programs were in the form of
amond and engraved on each was the
at of arms of Delaware. The officers
no made the arrangements for the re-
ption were given much praise for the
fcient manner in which they had
rried out all details.