Evening star., 1915-03-14
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

AAV AAA ~ AAAAA
The inaugural ball in 1856 was held
on the night Of Monday. March q. In
auguration having
Tho Inaugural fallen on Saturday.
Rail- NJ 1aa6 In The Star of the
AA VI Aooo' next day, March Z.
1865. IL an account of the affair cover
ing nearly two columns, In part ~ fol-
lows:
"UnQuestionably the ball last night
in most essentials surpassed any pre-
vious affair of the sort since inaugura-
ton balls were inaugurated. There
was first an unsurpassed room and
series Of rooms for the purpose. Such
another magnificent ballroom, supper
room. promenade hall and series Of
apartments for refreshment rooms.
dressing rooms, cloakrooms, ETC.. were
probably never before found in con-
junction under one roof. Tho oppor-
tunity for dress display in such spa
cious and brilliantly lighted halls was
necessarily unsurpassed and the coup
d'oeil from the elevated seats lining
the dancing hall at any time from 10
pm. until daylight was brilliant in the
extreme. The arrangements by the
management were thoughtful and on a
liberal scale. Three bands were pro-
vided. Withers' Band for the dancing,
Lilies Finley Hospital Band for tho
promenade music and the band of the
9Th Veteran Reserve Corps for the sup
per ROOM The ballroom was the long
north hall of the patent Office, used
heretofore on some special occasions
for balls and concerts for patriotic
purposes. The floor is laid In marble
tiles of blue and white. forming not
quite so elastic material as desirable
for dancing purposes. but as the need
of a ballroom on such an occasion is
mainly for promenade purposes 1t an
swered the requirements admirably
and was less Objectionable on the score
of dust than a wooden floor. The ar
arrangement Of the gas Jets IN lines
across the wall below the ceiling was
such as to distribute the light with
excellent effect, for which tudictous ar
rangement the managers received the
special thanks Of the ladies who, after
taking pains to dress with proper care
for such an occasion, naturally abhor
and detest an lily lighted ballroom"
~
After a description Of the scene. In
cluding a note Of some of the costumes
worn at the ball.
The Crush at the The Stars account
| Supper Tables. eonsnqtu "ss,ort,x after
midnight the presidential party were
escorted to the supper room. and when
they were duly placed at the head OF
the table the doors were thrown open
for the assemblage at large. The scene
presented at the upper table prior to
the descent of the hungry crowd was
very attractive as well as appetizlng.
The tables were some $50 feet in length
and ornamented in the highest style of
the confectioner's art. And these orna-
ments were fianked by edibles noted In
the bill of fare. The center ornament
was a model of the Capitol in style OF
elaboration we never before saw at
tempted in such material" Follows
then a description of the table adorn-
ments, inspired by the thought of Union
victories, which was dominant on the
occasion. The account continues:
THE onset of the crowd upon the
tables was frightful, and nothing but
the immense reserves of eatables laid
in by the thoughtful supper committee
rather the waste. Numbers who could
not find immediate room at the tables
colonized in the numerous alcoves, and
were catered for by some Of their
number who, with more audacity than
good taste. could be seen snatchins
whole pates, chickens, legs of veal,
halves of turkeys. ornamental pyra-
mids. etc, from the tables. and. bear
ing them aloft over the heads of the
shuddering crowd Cladies especially,
with greasy ruin to their dresses i'm
pending). carry them off in triumph for
private delectation. The floor of the
supper room was soon sticky, pasty and
! oily with wasted confections, mashed
cake and debris of fowl and meat. The
alcove appropriators of eatables from
| the tables left their plates upon the
floor after a free and easy sort. mis-
to the difficulty of locomotion, and
gentlemen. in conscientiously Civ
Ing a wide berth to lady's skirt, not
infrequently steered clear of Scylla
only to fall upon Charybdis of greasy
crockery."
* X
to Lee at Richmond, steadily pressing
closer toward Richmond,
Sheridan's and Sherman was smash
ing through the commu-
vAeto4y. nications south of the
secession capital, Sheridan was operat-
ing in the western part of the state to
destroy the sources of Confederate
supply In The Star of March 8. 1865,
is an account of Sheridan's victory over
Early near Waynesboro in the Shenan-
doah valley, which resulted IN the cap
ture of 40 officers, 1900 men, 8 cannon
and over 100 wagons. This action was
he IL fndn