100 years ago
JANUARY 6, 1905
The "Big Four" — Misses Jessie Knowles, Gertrude Sheets, Imogene Dean and Marguerite Saggau — entertained a number of their friends at the home of the latter on Saturday eve December 31st. A number of old fashioned games were revived and much enjoyed by the company. "Up Jenkins" was played progressively until about 10 o'clock. The first prize was won by Walter Bown and the booby prize by Wilton Vaughn. As it was a leap year party the girls had the opportunity of choosing their partners for supper. This was done by hiding the boys behind a sheet and allowing only their shoes to be visible, each girl took a piece of chalk and drew her initials upon the "shoe of her choice." Having thus found their partners each couple took its place at the small tables and were served with light refreshments. After supper the prizes were awarded and games were played, punch being served by Misses Effie Dean and Mildred Harris. Promptly on the stroke of 12 a toast to the new year was given and drunk by all; after which the party broke up.
The masquerade ball and banquet given Tuesday evening by the Marion Social Club was a success in every sense. Pretty young ladies and handsome young men were there in fancy and comical costumes. Promptly at 10 o'clock all adjourned to the New Elgin Hotel, where standing around the banquet tables the masks were removed and great was the amusement occasioned when each found out who the other was. A sumptuous and refreshing banquet was served. All then returned to the hall where to the sweet strains of music the waltz and two step reigned supreme. The lighting of the hall was both unique and pretty. Nearly 100 guests, quite a number coming from a distance, participated in the event.
J.S. Dean went to Kansas City, this week, to purchase a steam heating plant for his new building.
Gus Hett, who lives north of town, unwillingly took a cold water plunge bath a few days ago. While chopping wood on the creek bank, he stepped upon the ice that was hardly thick enough to support a man of half the avoirdupois of Gus, and went in up to his neck. "Py gracious, dat vater vas coldt."
The home of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Loveless was the scene of a very pretty social event Friday, December 30th, where Mesdames Loveless entertained a considerable number of their lady friends at an informal luncheon. The invitations were so arranged that the guests were timed to arrive in three sets, the first at 3 o'clock p.m., and the others at intervals of 15 minutes. The guests on arrival were greeted with bursts of melody from Sheldon's Orchestra, stationed in an upper room, and after disposing of wraps, were immediately taken to the buffet where Miss Agnes Turner and Mrs. Nicholas Schlingloff presided over a dainty luncheon. Miss Bessie Evans managed the fruit juice bowl. At this juncture all were requested to participate in a contest. Ten familiar quotations were cut into sections and the pieces posted up in three different rooms. The person getting them together correctly, first, was to receive the grand prize. The guests were then seated and listened to Miriam Bates recite, "The Child Martyr." Mrs. Herbert Thorp followed with a very pathetic recital of "Jamie, the Prodigal Son." Miss Minton delighted all by a clever reading of a Dickens selection. Mrs. Dr. Rogers and Mrs. Clyde Loveless followed, each in turn telling an interesting story, which concluded the afternoon. The windows were darkened and the rooms brilliantly lighted which, with the bouquets of roses, carnations, narcissus and ferns, made a very pretty effect.
Mrs. John Gardner happened to quite a serious accident, Wednesday morning. She was washing some clothes with gasoline, when the gas ignited, burning her face and hands quite badly.
