The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-06
@CRADLE OF THE CONFEDERACY' SETS NEW
 HIGH RECORD FOR NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES
By RosALrE HAMPSTEAD HIGGINS

Montgomery, January 5.-(Special.) Never before in it's history has Mont gomery observed so gay a New Years celebration as with the death of the old year 1917 and the birth of the new year 1918, and natives of the city had to rub their eyes several times to realize that they were In the Cradle of the Confederacy" and not on gay Broadway, for Dexter avenue re- sembled 1t closely last Monday even- ing. The crowds began assembling by o'clock and by the stroke of IF the streets were impossible with a merry, good natured crowd on pleas ure bent. There were thousands and thousands of khaki-clad soldiers; there were fair maidens, old nien. old ladies and old maidens. little boys, little girls, people of all sorts and sizes. There were no formalities and it was a common occurrence to see bright faced soldier lad walk up to pretty girl and shower her with confetti The crowds made merry until long after inc stroke of 12, and the cafes and clubs were crowded with diners. There were a number of brilliant social rune tions and at the Jackson club, which is composed largely of enlisted men from Camp Sheridan, the guests danced all night, and had delicious break fast at o'clock in the morning Among the distinguished guests who attended this affair were General Me Maken and the members of his star, At the Standard club the New ear ball was characterized by unusual beauty. The club was artisticaliy acc orated with holly. smilax, cut flow CTS and American flags. The Strand orchestra rendered the music and the grand march was led by the president of the club. Mir Nose Sabel, assist ed by Mrs. Sabel. who wore hand some costunie of black velvet trimmed with sequins and carried a black os- trich fan. As the couples went through the mazes of the march confetti and ribbon streamers made the scene pretty one. The favors for the girls were dainty Parisian hats. while the fayors for the men were horns and whistles. At, 1:30 o'clock the guests repaired to the spacious dining room of the club, where delicious supper was served. During the supper several vaudeville acts were given py profes- sionals The governing board of the club acted as the reception commit tee
 At the same hour at the Beauvoir club the members of that club and several hundred friends danced the old year out and the new year in. And at the Inter Sc club rooms about 50 members of the Sigma Alpha Epsi- lon fraternity at Camp Sheridan en tertained at a delightful dance. The clubrooms were prettily decorated with the club colors. old gold and pur- pie and large number of the young CT set were present. Old gold and pur- ple toy balloons were released as the guests offered toasts to the new year, to President Wilson. to the allies and to the ladies.
 The Knights of Columbus also en- tertained at most enjoyable dance at the Knights of Columbus hall, when several hundred guests danced until the wee small hours.
 On New Years eve beautiful pro- gramme was given at Y. M c. A. hut 5s at Camp Sheridan. when the fea- ture of the evening was the reading of "A Christmas Story. by Will Allen Dromgolle given by Mrs. Charles Hen. derson. Mrs Henderson is rarely gift cd as . reader and received an ova-