| OCR Text |
Show NEW YEAR'S DAY IN YE OLD TIME BUTTE Before the day of holly and mistletoe, mistle-toe, smilax and cut flowers in- Butte the ladies of this city opened their doors on New Year's day and received cordially and heartily their friends and strangers who happened to be within the gates likewise. For fifteen years, dating from 1879, it was the custom among a number of Butte's society people to be at home formally and informally, in-formally, and while it was by no means general, there was not in all that time I a year that a few did not observe the time-honored and beautiful cusfom of keeping open house, says the Butto Miner. It was the year 1S79 that the custom was inaugurated among the people of the camp to make New Year's calls. About this time Messrs. M. J. Connell, J V. Long. Lee -Mantle, Johnnie O'Rourke. John Forbis and his little brother Jim. Dr. Hough, Alex Tarbet, Alex Johnston, Dick Hauser, Joe Case, Geoff Lavell. Joe Clark, Thomas Lavell, La-vell, Dick Hauser, D. R. Beck and Thomas Argyle were the gay beaux of the town. To be sure, they were only mere youths at that time, but the majority ma-jority of them have remained in the I city and have grown into the hearts of the people, to whom they always will be the same as they were when they were the boys of '79. It was the day when the hostesses would make elaborate plans that would entail days of preparations for the receptions. It was also the day when cards, most gorgeous, wonderfuily embellished with old Father Time and his scythe, the golden stairs and other symbols of the ! day were left at each house. It was during this delightful period that the high altitude was not responsible for all the ills that human flesh is heir to, consequently many charming hostesses remained at home and kept open house for the many men who had no homes to remain in on that day other than a boarding house for it was before the epoch of men'B clubs, therefore it was a pleasure hailed with delight to be allowed al-lowed the privilege of making the round of calls upon the many fair women wo-men of Butte. The young men, married mar-ried men and bachelors there were no old bachelors in Butte in those days would band together in congenial crowds, filling in many instances four-horse four-horse sleighs, when they would call religiously re-ligiously upon everyone they knew, starting early in the afternoon and would continue until late in the evening. even-ing. In 1S79 Mrs. John Noyes, assisted by Miss Ellen Meiklejohn, Miss Nettie Emerson and Miss Allie Farlin, received re-ceived young men who today are the heads of growing families, some of them being grandfathers. This was the leading reception of the year. It was on this day that Mrs. Charles "Warren spread such a feast before her callers that many of them went no further, it being the day that the fresh oyster made its initial bow to the epicures of Butte. It is stated on good authority that a sleighload composed of Mr. M. J. Connell, Mr. J. V. Long, Mr. Lee Mantle, Mr. John O'Rourke and Dr. Hough made repeated calls at this hom until there was not an oyster left for the other callers. Mrs. Henry Jacobs Ja-cobs was also at home on that day and placed such rich and rare dainties before her guests that in many instances in-stances further calling was out of the question. In 1SS0 the spirit of hospitality and good cheer again made itself felt among the population of Butte and many elaborate receptions were scheduled. sched-uled. Mrs. Marcus Daly received at her home in Walkerville, assisted by Mrs. William Read. Mrs. J. K. Clark and Miss Mattie Evans. The souvenirs were satin ribbons with the names of the ladies in the receiving party printed print-ed in gold. Mrs. P. A. Largey was at home, assisted as-sisted by Miss Caplice. In 1882 Mrs. John Noyes was assisted by numerous of the pretty young girls, who helped to do the honors most gracefully. Mrs. J. W. Thompson was assisted in receiving by Mrs. George T. Hale and Miss Belle Forbis. Mrs. W. W. Dxon was hostess, with Mrs. Geoffrey Lavell, Miss Renouard and Miss Wilcox as assistants. Mrs. H. O. D'Achuel was at home and received beautifully, with Miss Julian Rumley, Miss Bird Rumley and Miss Emerson assisting. Mrs. Marcus Daly was assisted by Mrs. J. Ross Clark and Miss Hattie Evans. In 18S3 almost everyone received formally. Mrs. Dixon received, with Miss Caplice, now Mrs. George Rock-wood; Rock-wood; Miss Renouard and Miss Wilcox assisting. |
