Evening star., 1940-12-29

ance advocates, Just as 1t has its
supporters today.
An idea of what New Year Day
was like some four decades and
more back can be judged from Pres
ident Arthur's reception at the
White House on January l, 1884,
the year before turning his Office
over to President Cleveland. Mud
and slush were in the streets, and
a chilly, misty rain made travelling
decidedly uncomfortable. Withal.
it is said, there were more persons
who kept open house" then than
who did the preceding year Presi-
dent Arthur received with Mrs. Car
Isle, wife Of the Speaker Of the
House of Representatives John G.
Carlisle, at his right, she being
dressed in a robe Of rich lavender
satin, f1owered in white, with tab
here of white satin, embroidered in
seed pearls and raised chenille
flowers; the open waist and half
long sleeves garnished with point
lace; earrings and brooch diamonds
The wives of his cabinet officers
present were dressed in the height
Of fashion. Mrs. Frelinghuysen
point lace and coiffure composed of
point lace and maroon feather.
Mrs. Chandler, white ottoman satin.
with hcunces of black Brussels lace
and black velvet bows. Mrs. Lin
coin, the wife of Robert r, the
martyr Presidents son, who died a
few years ago, wore black and white
brocaded velvet, with tabliere of
white satin, with f1ounces of black
Brussels lace. Mrs. Brewster, wife
of the Attorney General, was dressed
in superb brocade, with rare lace,
and brilliant diamonds. Mrs. Teller
wore garnet velvet, with point lace
and diamonds. The wife of Walter
@. Gresham, who later became
Clevelandis Secretary of State, wore
black velvet with white satin front,
Gen. Gresham now lies buried on
the slope in front of Arlington Man
sion, little to the south, close by
the graves of Gems. Sherman and
Wright, who were also present upon
this occasion.
At this reception, 1t is said, there
were more elegant and costly dresses
worn than were ever before seen at
any White House function. The
President himself was in morning
dress and all black, buttoned to the
neck.
Army and Navy Guests.
1t is interesting to read over the
list of prominent Army and Navy
officers present on this occasion.
Few of them are still living and no
doubt the reader will recall some
OF them at least with much pleasure.
Judge Holt and Gen. Mckee Dunn,
who served as Judge advocate gen.
erals of the Army, where there, as
were the aides of the lieutenant
general, Col. M. V. Sheridan, Col.
Volkmar and Capt. Gregory. Adit.
Gen. Drum, Gen. M. S. Keever, Gen.
Ruggles, Col Benjamin. Col. Barber,
Gen. Feely and Gen. Van Vliet. From
the Medical Corps were Surg. Gen.
Murray, DR.. Baxter and DR.. Basil
Norris.
Among the engineer officers were
Capt. T. L.. Casey, Gen. Parke, Gen.
Poe, Col. Wilson, Maj. Hains, Capt.
HoXie and Capt. Mills.
Perhaps only few of The Stars
readers will recall the name of
Capt. Richard L. Hoxie, and still
1t is name well known in
local history Gen Hoxie-to give
him the title he later received
served as Engineer Commits
sioner under the temporary COM
mission form of government here
back in 1874. He was a Civil War
veteran. He entered the 1st Iowa
Cavalry as private on June 13
1861, and remained there until June
8, 1864, when he was appointed a
cadet at the Military Academy, from
which he was graduated four years
later, receiving an appointment as
second lieutenant of engineers.
When Gen. Hoxie entered upon the
District engineer service, one Of
his first duties was to make a careful
survey Of the entire drainage sur.
face of the District, posting himself
as to the natural dow Of the rain
falls.