Evening star., 1944-12-31
New Year Receptions At the White Ho,

"One man, who was determined to SET
the President, come what might, hac
the tail of his long cloak well fastened
between four or five men In the rear
and concluded to leave the garment be.
hind, unlooping it from his neck anc
made the best of his way in The police
did their best to prevent crowding, but
the pressure was too much for them.
First White House Fete
The New Year receptions, similar to
those Of more recent years, were intro
duced at the White House in January
1910, by Dolly Madison, she having wit
messed similar ceremony in New York
City twenty years earlier 1t is likely
the Madisons continued this practice
during the remainder of the Presidents S
administration. After the burning of
the White House by the British, on
August "a, 1914, President and Mrs.
Madison took up their residence at the
latter's brother-in-law's home, then at
1333-1335 F street. where they remained
about ten days, when they removed to
the Octagon, still standing at the north
east corner of New York avenue and
Eighteenth street northwest, where in
February. 1915, the President signed
the Treaty of Ghent, later moving to
1901 Pennsylvania avenue where he
gave dinner to Andrew jackson.
But though the President found "the
Octagon rather small compared to the
White House, yet the usual reception
was held there on January !. 1915. The
first New Year reception held in the
Executive Mansion after the British in
vasion was in 1918, during the admini-
stration Of President James Monroe,
and the Marine Band furnished the
music, and has continued to play at
these functions ever since.
But it was quite different organiza-
ton to the excellent one we have today.
Indeed, when Francis Maria Scala be-
came leader of the band in l841, that
position paid SIG a month and one
ration. The nations then represented
including America, Germany, England,
Spain, Italy and Austria, and the in
struments included one flute. one clar-
ionet, one French horn. two trombones.
one bugle, one bass drum and one pair
of cymbals. And not more than five
men could read music.
President Arthur's Reception
An idea of what New Year Day was
like so and more years ago can be
judged from President Arthur's recep-
ton at the White House on January l.,
1884. Mud and slush were In the streets
and chilly, misty rain made travelling
decidedly uncomfortable, and withal it
Is said there were more persons who
kept open house" then than who did the
previous year.
President Arthur received with Mrs
Carlisle, wife of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, John G. Car
Isle, at his right, she being dressed in a
robe of rich lavender satin, fowered in
white. with tabliere of white satin. en-
broidered in seed pearls and raised
chenille flowers; the open waist and half
long sleeves were garnished with point
The wives of his cabinet officers pres
ent were dressed in the height of fashion.
Mrs. Frelinghuysen wore black velvet,
with flchu of point lace and coiffure
composed Of point lace and a maroon
feather. Mrs. Chandler, white ottoman
satin, with flounces of black Brussels
lace, and black velvet bows. Mrs. Lin
coin, the wife of Robert r, the late
Presidents son, wore black and white
brocaded velvet, with tabliere of white
satin, with flounces of black Brussels
lace. Mrs. Brewster wife of his 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
Cleveland's Secretary of State, wore
black velvet, with white satin front.
Gen. Gresham now lies buried on the
slope in front of Arlington Mansion,
little to the south, close by the graves Of
Gems. Sherman and Wright, who also
were present upon this occasion.
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 advo-
cate generals of the Army, were there,
as were the aids of the lieutenant gen.
eral, Col M. v. Sheridan, Col. Volkmar
and Capt. Gregory; Adjt. Gen. Drum,
Gen. M. S. Keever, Gen. Ruggles, Col.
Benjamin, Col. Barber, Gen. Feely and
Gen. Van Vliet. In the Medical Corps
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. Hams, Capt. Hoxie and
Capt. Mills.
Perhaps the pioneer civic orsanisa-
ton Of Washington 10 make annual