The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-15
ZOO COUPLES
!. ENJOY DANCE
FOR SOLDIERS
House Chamber at Capitol Scene
Last Night of Brilliant So
cial Asscmblagc
GOVERNOR AND WIFE
LEAD THE GRAND MARCH
Chief Executive and Mrs. Frazier
Honor Event With Presence
Proceeds Large

In spite of most unfavOrable wealth
er conditions, muddy roads and rain
drenched landscape without, the
house chamber at the capitol last eve
cheer and was made the scene of one
of the most brilliant social assemblies
in the history Of the state. More than
200 couples bravcd the bad weather
to dance as guests Of Bismarck lodge,
B. p. O. e., for the benefit Of the mess
funds of the Bismarck national guard
units, and they were many times over
paid for their fOrtitude.
The huge assembly room was ablaZe
with light and coiOr when the grand
march, led by Governor and Mrs. Fra
zier, Adjutant General Angus Fraser,
Colonel Frank White, Lieutenant Col
Onel r.. II. TharalsOn, and various
members of the governors admins
trative staff, began under the direc-
ton of r. l.. Best, master of cere-
monies, who had as his principal aide
George w. COchrane. About 100 cOu-
pies participated in the march, which
at it's close melted into a waltz to
the dreamiest and most seductive of
measures from the Second regiment
band Of Harvey. The large floor i'm.
mediately was alive with dancers, and
from that hour until the last encore
was played at 2 o'clock this morning,
the terpischOrean revels continued
with undated vivacity.
Beautiful gowns, well grOOmed men,
chick military uniforms mingled in a
beautiful ensemble. The walls and the
galleries were lined with spectators,
and the legislative hall was aquiver
with that air Of happy excitement
which marks the pinnacle of success of
an achievement of this nature.
Throughout the evening ice cream,
cake, coffee, mint waters and punch
were served, the refreShment stand
in the lobby, where an able committee
of the Eks' best caterers presided, be-
ing especially popular. The galleries
were we'll patroniZed by spectators
who did not care to dance, and in the
rotunda Of the main floor the governor
held court throughout the evening"
while Mrs. Frazier joined merrly in
the dance. There was an unusually
good representation of the states adj
ministrative family, and all entered
heartily into the spirit OF the affair
A thick sprnkling Of officers and en-
listed men of the Second regiment and
of the Second battalion of the First
gave the event an attractive military
air; which lent a special charm.
Bisnlarcks best society was out in
force, and it mingled democratically
with new-fOund friends among the
soldiers and with the many guests
from out of town. It was an occasion
for the introduction of the seasons
best gowns, and there were worn
many beautiful creations worthy of
special description were printers ink
adequate to interpret such filmy, clu-
sive devices of Mile. MOdiste.
The Second regiment band never
has acquitted itself more creditably.
The band was liberal with it's encOres
and the dancers fervid in appreciation
Every dance strung out into two or
three numbers. A program which had
been framed to fill three hours ex-
tended into five.
EIks Good Managers.
The experienced and efficient man.
agement of the Bismarck Elks was
everywhere in evidence. No details
had been overlooked. There were no
bitches of any kind. The railway
commission rooms on the ground floor
had been reserved for the ladies', and
the board of control offices for the
men. Every floor of the state house
displayed the national cOlors. CustO.
dian Laist had hidden with beautiful
flags ugly gaps in the walls resulting
from alterations now in progress. An
atmosphere of warmth and festivity
pervaded every nook and corner of
the big building.
Probably $500 Cleared.
While detailed report from the
Elks' executive committee is not evail
able today, it is safe to state that not
less than $1,000 has been cleared fol
the mess funds of Co. A, First regi
mnet and Co. and headquarters com
pany of the Second The expenses
were comparatively light, and many
tickets were sold to couples whom the
bad weather prevented from attend
ing. Reports are still to be received
from the out of town sales. The pro
ceeds may far exceed the minimum
amount mentioned.
Soldiers Contribute.
An interesting feature which con
tributed much to the enjoyment o
the evening was setting up drill
presented by several squads of guards
men in advance of the grand march
The soldiers went through their man
euvers with machine-like precision
and were heartily cheerei.
The capitol street car line ran fror
$50 until after 2 a. m, caring TO
scores who could not have been at
commOdated by the taXis, which di
their noble best, but had hard work i
navigating the hub-deep mud in tn
streets which have been eXcavated i
preparation for paving. Cars wer
mired in in several places and thei
occupants compelled to walk throug
the rain to shelter. The capitol cal
however, ran without difficulty, an
rendered service for which gratefu
appreciation was extended the boar
of control and Superintendent M. .