Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-28
PIONEERS STAGE
INAUGURAL BALL
Event Given in Omaha Sixty
Two Years Ago Reproduced
at Celebration.
AGED PEOPLE ARE PRESENT

The reproduction of the first inau-
gural ball, held in Omaha sixty-two
years ago, was presented Monday
evening on the stage of the Audi
torium, in connection with a program
in commemoration of the fiftieth an
niversary of Nebraska's statehood.
The Douglas County Association OF
Nebraska Pioneers gave the program
which was witnessed by goodly
gathering of pioneers and their chill
dren. Mrs. Mary Cormack, secretary
of the association, arranged the pro-
gram and offered the Introductory re.
marks.
First Ball Described.
The program gave the following
commentary on the inaugural ball Of
1855: "The first and only executive
ball ever given in Omaha, January.
1855, was in honor of Governor lizard.
1t took place in the City hotel, one
story frame building, on Harvey and
Eleventh streets. The floor was
rough and unplaned. Cottonwood
boards served as seats, the walls were
covered with one rough coat of dirty
plaster, and the stove was so made
quate for heating purposes that the
water which had been used for clean
ing froze to the floor. The refresh
ments consisted of bacon sandwiches,
dried apple pie and black coffee with
brown sugar. The orchestra consisted
of solitary fiddler. This was Omaha
first step on the ladder of social aspi-
rationS."
Those Who Gave 1t Again.
In the inaugural ball reproduction
D. H. Mercer and Mrs. Charles H.
Fisette represented Governor lizard
and lady, respectively. The personnel
of the governors party were: Mr.
and Mrs. w. H. Bay, Henry w. Dunn,
Charles G. Hunt and Edward O.
Pomeroy. The dancers we're: Rome
Miller, George w. Winship, Alvin
Metzler, James Cruickshank, Moses
P. O'Brien, Augustus Lockner, James
P. Dugdale, Karl Barothy; Mesdames
Ida G. Knight, George w. Winship,
R. M. Taylor, Anna X. Bowman,
Mary J. Griffin, Kittie Lafferty, Jen-
ME L. Maginn and Agnes R. Steven
son.
The costumes worn by these dancers
were of the period of sixty and sew
enty years ago. Mrs. Griffin had a
necklace seventy-fve years old and a
gown she wore at the first Ak-Sar-
Ben ball. Mrs. Stevenson appeared in
dress sixty years old and Mrs.
Knights dress was seventy-nine years
old.
Aged People Attend.
The only living attendant of the
ball which was reproduced on the Au-
ditorium stage is Samuel f. Rogers,
still resident of Omaha, but unable
to attend the exercises yesterday eve
ming. On the stage was Mrs. S. G.
Brewster of Irvington, who came to
this county in 1855. Her father, the
Rev. Mr.. Gaylord, was the. first min
lister of the First Congregational
church of this city. AT her side was
Mrs. S. H. Seymour, more thar
elSnty years OF age, ana sara 10 Dc
the first school teacher of Omaha
She taught in the basement of the old
First Congregational church when il
was located at Sixteenth and Farnam
streets. John K. Hazard, who came
here in 1858, also was on the stage
and it is said he is the Oldest Ne
braska pioneer now residing in
Omaha.
Frank Howell Talks.
Speaking on Territorial Days
Frank S. Howell recounted the his
torical glories of the state and de-
clared that Nebraska, in the future
as in the past, will be found in her
place with the sisterhood of states
fighting in the interests of humanity
and not for conquest. He said that
|