Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-02
CITY WELCOMES
THE NEW YEAR
Ooming Of 1915 Celebrated by
EnthuSiastio Crowds Of Greater
Omaha Joyfully
WEATHER PUTS DAMPER ON
Hist and Slippery Streets, How
ever, Fail to Affect Spirits
Of Merry Makers.
CAFES AND HOTELS THRoNGED

Nineteen sixteen, the first new
year Of Greater Omaha, and a leap
year at that, did not leap in as any
body could notice. The footing was
too slippery for the youngster to ex-
ecute any flighty terpsichorean dem
onstrations. Nineteen fifteen grace
fully tip-toed into the perspective
with cautious tread. The stars and
moon were obscured while the dying
year passed away and the new year
viewed an ominous sky and an on
erous pathway as II timidly came
into succession.
Nineteen sixteen is here and
Omaha resolved itself into gen
eral reception committee to greet
the visitor and bid her feel at home.
Twas the birth OF another year,
amid the travail Of Icy streets and
walks, weeping skies, skidding auto
mobiles and feet that went in devi-
Gus ways through reasons other than
might be at first believed.
Automobile drivers had a rough night
Of It. their machines inclining to the
right or 70 the left, as II possessed OF
nnischievous spirits-gasoline, for in
stance.
The Gray and the Gay.
Ccntrastsng against the mist and gloom
without were the CHEEKY lights and mu-
sic and the happy voices or celebrants at
hotsls. cafes. theaters and many other
PLACES where men and women gathered
and foregathered TO see the old year out
and the new year In.
AZ the solemn hour OF twelve the music
ceased. lights went o,r, merrymaking
was suspended, toasts wero drunk, bells
rznG, sirens blew and another year came
bounding in from the murky night to
Join the revelers in dance and song.
All OF the downtown hotels and cafes
were scenes OF celebrations. Most OF the
tables had been reserved weeks in ad-
vance. and youth ana advancing age
met In common conclave to eat, drink
and be merry In honor or the new year,
Many at FonteneIIe.
The Fontenelle hotel. by reason Of ad-
vantages OF space. was the scene Of
the dawn OF another year. The hotel
management provided special dancers
and singers and an orcnestra for the
diners. Another feature OF the occasion
was . revolving colored spotlight for the
dancers. The lobby was used for
dancing.
The beautiful dining room at the Hem
shaw was aglow with vari-coiored lights
and youth and beauty added a bit OF
chaFm to this scene. Manager Joe Keenan
greeted the guests. Special music was
provided fol. the diners and dancers. The
Paxton. Rome. Loyal. Miilard. Castle.
Her Grand. and in fact .aIl OF the down
town hostelries observed the occasion
with befitting grace and spirit
Aridnight Performance.
There were many other activities at
clubs. theaters and halls. The Elks Dam
cling club held forth at the Elks lodge
rooms with a program. lunch and dance
The Bachelors club held q masked ball
at tbs Auditorium. The Gayety theater
had a second performance and at the
stroke of twelve actors and audience
Joined IN welcoming the new year. The
spirit OF the evening prevailed at the
orpheun and over 1T the Krug theater
Sport North stepped out OF his role to
wish everybody in Omaha a Happy New
Year Members OF Peg o. My Heart
company At the Brandeis fraternized
after the performance and performers OF
the Empress were on the reviewing stand
when isie came upon the scene.
Mayor Dahlman visited the celebra ton
at the German Home and dropped In at
an italian celebration at Sixth and Pierce
stFeefB
The welcome arch at Eighteenth and
uaSnam streets bore the illuminated
werds. ''Sineteen Sixteen. welcome
Fentenelie Guests.
me following celebrated at tho Fon-
teneiIss
MArN REsTAI1RANr AND FAM