Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-03-26
BRILLIANT NAVAL BALL
Ray j. Reiser, a Former Wausau Boy,
Took Part in This Unusual Event
at Port Arthur, Texas

day evening, March Is, by the officers
and crew of U. S. ship at Port
Arthur, Texas, vessel which was
in port at that time, and of which
Ray j. Reiser is a member. The ar
ticle is taken from The Evening News
of Port Arthur.
GLORY be! how is one to help be-
ginning And soft the lights shone
Ger fair women and brave men," when
one wants to talk of the big dance
given to the visiting men of the good
ship, which so proudly rides the waves
OF the raging canawl' at our front
doorsteps? And who would dare sug-
gest Byron wasn't talking bout us
when he said there was a sound of
revelry by night?'' But for styles
sake we refrain-for we are style,
plus, here in Port Arthur, when it
comes to doin' things that count; we
90 EN- right, or let 'em alone-that's
/ us.
AS the reporter reviewed the happy
company which were gathered togeth-
er in the Plaza last night, the fore
most thought inevitably was of the
pretty gowns which were displayed
on the graceful forms of as pretty a
lot of women-folks as could be
brought together anywhere; the ships
crew of good-looking and responsive
men would land for the next fun-time.
The program for the event, was of
course, mainly dancing, but there
were several inrerludes which lent
great interest to the evening. The
efficient direction of those in charge
| put everything over with a swing
and verve that was inimitable; even
the cheers which greeted each new
development were so vigorous as to
| be astonishing. The review of the
| men participating in the evenings
enjoyment was perhaps the most ex-
citing moment passed, for the floor
director was kind enough to call the
names OF the states from which they
had come as they marched by, and
| this reused all the loyalty of the on
lockers, and brought forth shouts of
greeting, and this made us all feel
much puffed up with patriotism. The
Texas boys were cheered to the echo
but we loved the others, too
There were flashlights taken of the
sailor boys with a group of nurses
crouching down before them: there
was st. Vitus dance obligato given
in the lobby by the wireless machine
and operator Chats what they said
they were); there was a copy of the
wirelessed message presented to each
guest; there was a moonlight dance
with the only light coming from a
Lone Star (get it?); there was punch
dispensed by willing hands all even
| ing and cooling refreshments served
at the shank OF the evening besides:
| there was bunch of deserted but
happy husbands out in the lobby wait
ing for their decorated wives to dance
their utmost with the visitors, and
| there was happiness and harmony
| facing you which ever way you
turned"
In the above article was also pub
l1shed the names of the ladies pres
ent, and the descriptions of the gorge
GUS evening ball gowns.
| 1t will be noticed in the above ar
tlcle that the name of the ship was
| not given for the reason that papers
published in ports especially, should
with care refrain from giving in
formation to enemy agents in regard
to ships stationed at or calling at
sueh ports. Because dangerous news
| is known locally, it does not follow
that it can be safely published.
| The decorations for the affair COR
sisted of many different signal flags,
call flags, international code signals,
etc., inch shells, etc. At the en-
trance were stationed two large shells
as sentries, and short distance be-
hind them on pedestal stood the two
/ hof a.
marine the night of the Tuscania
disaster. These were displayed with
large card, which read, DUTY Done.'
with a brief description of the attack.
| 1t will be interesting to know that
this vessel has in its complement men
from every state in thesttnion except
two, Montana and Oregon. In the
lobby of the Hotel Plaza Radio set
was installed with this the message of
welcome was sent to each and every
one. This was done during the inter-
mission. After the message was sent,
it was read by the Captain and a copy
was given to each person and read as
follows:
ITO Our Invited Guests:
! A hearty welcome to all; deeply
appreciate your presence here; also
the splendid reception accorded us,
so typical of Texan hospitality. We,
from all other states, assure you, will
leave nothing undone to make this
evening memorable one in Port
Arthur's annals.
Officers and Men, (name of ship.)"
The dance program mad the name
lof the vessel and the United States
flag on the cover, also the date and
the place where the affair was given
The program included one-step, fox
trot, waltz, etc., and were named as
follows: 'The Army" Our Navy
'The Ladies, bless 'em," "The Tulley
Boat" Liberty CALL" Chow" "Our
Allies" Port Arthur" "Hotel Plaza .
"The Sub Chaser Submarine Ho,'
Home Taps" Review of States
Our Nation" the name of the vessel
and also the name of the captain.
In the same issue of the Port
Arthur paper is an interesting ar.
ticle on addresses given by the com
mander of the naval vessel, whose
officers and crew entertained al
the ball, and also a commander
of another ship in port at the same
time They both talked before the
Rotary club at that place. The former
expressed the thanks of his officer:
and men for the courtesies and enter
tainment, while the latter dwelt OF
the elaborate ball, as being some