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About Capital city courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1893 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 1890)
'I CHPITHL CITV COURIER. 1870 Ijioli? Sogty 1890 ---- DV THB TtSSOCIKTB EDITOR. - ft f ") r OWqulcklyhavo Smalls, then B. & M. ticket agent, furnished Ijl thowostrrnprnl- tlio nmuscment. Thoso gentlemen operated a iririujMi iiiiu irum una ruuiu mj nuouier for tho benefit of lond maidens nnd devoted youth, who kept tho wire burdened with tender messages nil the evening. Nebraska City and Lincoln were ttnltxl by a cloxo bond of friendship in those dayi and tho young people of the two towns law a great deal of each other. Some of the trips to Nebraska City will bo long remembored. When the city was young game wasplentl ful and BorUinu could outlines fill their bags within a stone's throw of their own door steps. It hasn't boon uiauy years since A. C. Zlemor shot a wolf where the Rice woll Is now located. Ducks wero huntod in the spring and fall in the locality of the present sito of tho v I trifled paving brick works and Lowery's mill. Lincoln has boasted an "opera house1' so long that the memory of tho oldost inhabit ant runneth not to the contrary. Dramatlo performances were given In tho Academy of Muslo nt Eleventh nnd C stroets; but Hallo's 0ora houso was tho most popular resort until It was rebuilt as tho Contonnlal. Even f I i ries Ih'oii dotted with populous I cltlfx, and how I I' I rapidly havo I I 1 these citls,rislng I I ) Ilka innglo from 1 11 u unriii, nn turned tho form and character of tho great centers of population In tho far cant, whose culture nud refinement of today are. distilled from centuries of lux urious easel Hero wo havo no history and our post dees not ex tend boyond tho mem ory of living men; yet thoso refinements of society which are supposed to come only from nge.are here found, ready made, as It were. We enjoy the same privileges In our yonng city which In the older cities of the east it has taken generations to produce. There social ad ve n tageswere created; hero we have thomtrnus planted,bolng saved tho delay of growth. Tho brilliant rays of the brightly burning lamp of the present confuse the sight, and one who moves in Lincoln Bocloty in this Joy ous month of December, 1800, when tho "sea son" with all tho gayetlesaud countless pleas ures which that magio word Implies, Is at Its merriest, can hardly look back down the ave nues of the past far enough to see tho time only a short whllo ngo when in place of tho delights of society of today, the inhabitants of tho young capital city found their only amusement and recreation in an occasional old fashioned gathering nt tho rude abode of one of the "early settlors," whero social con verso constituted tho sole entertainment. The evolution of the last two d -end en has transformed the social life of the fionller town from a provincial, whole soulod friend liness to the cultured and refined society of tho modern city. It Is Indeed dlfllcult to rea lize that the stato capltol whoee walls oven yet echo tho muslo and joy of tho recent harity ball, stands wheru only a few years ngo the antelope grazed in tho tall grass of Die prairies; that in placaof the bowling car 'rlnges with their precious human fiolglit passing and repassing in tho paved streets, tho Indian and the western emigrant but a short time since followed the lonely trail In tho direction of tho setting sun; that the splendid homos of comfort and luxury with which the city abounds aro erected on tho spots whero but recently were pitched the settlers' tents. Tho transformation effected In twenty years suggests the marvels in tho Ai ablnu Nights. Perhaps, If before wo turn the leaf of nl, disclosing tho pleasure of the new year, wo look buck over the pages alieady turned and dimmed, we may bettor appreciate, tb glowing promises and bright prospects of the new leaf in tho social calendar. Twenty years ago card playing was net general. rrogresslye euchre was as yet an class but a fair representation of thoso whoso social position, long since determined, en titles them to lead in the affairs of tlio gay world. ToR. II. Oakley probably bolongs the honor of giving tho club Its name. He was preeont at Ita flist meeting nnd at his suggest tlon It was dubbed the "Pleasant Hour"club. Tbore Is some dispute as to the exact date of the club's origin, the official records onlv extending back to 1883, but as noar as can be ascertained it was organized in October,1674, at a meeting hold in 11. J. Walsh's office. J. O. West, now of Grand Island, was elected president, nnd 11, II. Oakloy, vice president. The next) oar West was succeeded by Oak ley, and thou W. P. Farwell was made the executive. Tho latter died during his ten ure of ofllco, tho unexpired term being com pleted by O. W. Webster. After Wobstortho following gentlemen were honored by elec tion to tho presidency of the club: J, D. Mo Farlaml, Thomas Ew lug, Charles M. Carter, (now of Columbus, Ohio), Gordon II. Frlnke, (deceasod) and J. W. Irwin. This brings tho record down to 188.1, when for technical rea sons the original constitution was re-adopted with somo modifications, and the following officers were elected: president, C. M. Car ter; vlco presidont, Frank C. Zohrung; sec retary, D. o. Van Duyn; treasurer, R. O. Outcalt; oxecutivo committee: C. E. Ma goon, R. II. Townloy, and C. 8. Llpplncott; master of ceremonies, W. A. Green. During the season of 1884-6 W. A. Green was presi dent and he was succeeded In 1885-0 by Frank C. Zohrung, in 1880-7 by A. G. Bocson, In 1887-8 by II. P. Foster, In 1888-0 by C. 8, Llpplncott, in 18S0-1K) by W. E. Hardy, who was followed by C. 12. Magoon, tho present iHRSHlsisiB HrtiisiiiiiiiiiiiHHHSi KsiBiiiHiiBiiiiiiHK isiiHb siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiKiiBLiBwjl isB? iHHi.iiiiiiii.iV!nALf isiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHi(BiV:t:49 3nf IcVss Tw?v vly '"'-3 ' iWf Ssk & u "a T- bbbbbbbbbVbsiibbV f'BllllllHBlBlllllH ' "t HfkauRilllllllllllllllllllllV :Mj . ' ,v . , siiiiiiiiiiiiiw bl". j , i ,. mX.X&i&Q- WINTER. ns far back ns llfteen year- ago strong attrac tions were common and Hocloty always turned out en masse w ten there was a "show" In town. John McCullough, Mary An derson, the Florences, Janauschek and Emma Abbott were among tho eminent stars who were soon hero over a decade ago. Richard n..; r: ,.:, r ... u.f " Golden, Pauline Hall and Jessie Uartlett :.rr "..... :rr, . ?: .vt "" "r Davu w i.iiu iiK.uo-imi.4m, bu uwr w IUO Heart OI IQO lllfilltt nnHil .. it. ! . . 1 .1 &. t . ... ti.-.T..inf A,,;i,r VTmiui I i nni1 Francis Wilson also nppeared hero in Uvo,L lTlrJZ?l the years agone, . "Chow Ch?,- asg.ven by ijniui western town were very meagro: i were Be -n with Carletou before their reputations were made, and Mario Jansen Dyquently there was very llttlo social ac IMt. There were, however, a few man sions in tho pioneer days whoso owners wero wont to entertain on occasion small gather ings of friends which, without those Inci dental amusements so common today, wero perhaps none the loss agreeable. In those days the latest arrival was hall fellow well met with the oldest settler and what was lacking In ceremony was mado up In iierfect good will and universal friendliness. Many of thoso who aro now "In the swim" can recall the old-time assemblies in the an cient Tlch"nor houso, which was at that tlmo a leading hotel and the greatest political ren dezvous in tho state, occupying a position somewhat similar to that now held by the Capital. This building is still standing at Thirteenth and K streots. Early in the-sev-entles there we o some memorable gather ing! In the Townloy houso, Intoly removed from M street, near Thirteenth, and tho At wood mansion, which stood on tho site of tho present State Journal building. At tho for mer, about 1873, there was a notablo enter tainment at which A. C. Zlemer and Charley Adah Richmond in tho Academy of Music, was a strong favorite with Lincoln play goers and William GUI's "Our Goblins" of fit ten years ago was a great ovont Kato Claxton, who has assisted at the burning of so many theatres, was playing In tho "Two Orphans" at Hallo's fifteen seasons ago, when the theatro was partially destroyed by flro. The early governors wero little given to entertainments; but a number of receptions were given in the old capltol, nnd the chan cellor's receptions were also leading events but a few years since. Society proper has, for tho past sixteen yosrs, been largely represented by the Pleas ant Hour club, probably the oldest social or ganization in the stato. For an association dependent for ierpetiintion upon an annual reorganization to remain intact for moro than a decado and a half is something very unusual. Tho Pleasant Hour club has en Joyed n peculiar proserity. Starting in a modest way it has widinod and broadoned with tlmo until it is now ono of the most sol idly established Institutions of its kind to bo found anywhere, in tho west. It stands for tho active leading element in socloty, and its membership Includes not only the younger incumbent. At tho tlmo of tho reorganization of tho club, September 34, the membership was us follows: J. N. Townley, L. C. RlcliartU, C. W. Mosher, N, C. Hrock, J. L. Osborn, J. A. BuckstafT, 0. C. Burr, R. Mahoney, C. D. Hagorman, II. Whltmore, K. McCluskey, A. W. Jansen, O. E. Chute, N. C. Abbott, Dr. Fuller, II. P. Foster, J. E. Reed, Charles Millar, D. D. Mulr, W. E. Stewart, F. Win gate, B. F. Cobb, G. M. Lambertson, J. D. MacFarland, C. F. Damrow, C. II. ImhofT, E. S. Roose, T. II. Benton. William Stull, R. D. Sliver, Jr.. R. C. Outcalt, J. E. Baum, Ed Oerrnns, H. J. Walsh, F. M. Hall and Ed Mitchell. A. W. Field, A. G. Beeson, W. M. Leonard, F. L. Sheldon, Frank C. Zehrung, R, H. Townloy, A. 0. Parrott, D. O. Van Duyn. E. P. Ewlng, J. B. Wright, E. H. An drus, 0. M. Carter, 0. 8. Llpplncott, W. A. Green, T. Ewlng, C. E. Magoon, R. II. Oak ley. The following additions wero made to tho membership up to January 1, 180: R, D. Stearns, A. F. Tarsons, W. II. Hargi eaves, C. M. Cobb, M. Dm fee, A. W. Jansen, Ma son Gregg, Charles Keith, Ueo.Soinlngton.W. B. Cross, J. A. Keith, C. Caldwell, Frank Polk, Hnrry Perrlnian, 11. Curdy. J J. Gll lllan, Charles Truphogcn, H. Wnro.Dr. Toft, C. T. Brown, Goo. Brown, James Mullen, A. C. Zlemer, C. D. Pitcher, W. E. Hnidy, Geo. K. Brown, W, O. Lewis, C. L. Trovltt, Lawrence Helskcll, W. L. Pickett, W. II. Travor, A B. Smith, F. 8. Johnson, C. F. Barnard, J. G. White, A. H. BuckstafT, W. R. Dennis, C. D. Hageruian, J. A. G'ass. New members wero afterwards elected as follows; 1880 William Brown, J. R. Lcmlst, J. W. McDonald, E. E. Bennett, R. K. Coopor, J. R. Horton.O. R. Oakloy, J. It. Harvey, M. H. Tllton, Victor White, David Baum, Dr. Summer, Mason Gregg, A. B. Uw, F. W. A Kind, J. K. Thompson, C. Randall, Fred Webster, J. M. Kruse, B. Trlckoy, Geo. Cook, E. E. Barton, W. B. McArthur, Geo. Kingsley, J. II. W. Hawkins, J. H. MoMur try, J. R. Lemist, II. A. Burkhardt, W. C. Davis, W. O. Durrell, F. McClusky, Frank Gregg, Geo. Foresman, C. T. Brown, W. E. Stewart, W. A. Greon. 1887 15. R. Smith, W. II. Hoffman, II. R. Wlloy, A. 8. Badger, John IIIgglnbotham,E. B. Green, W. P. Holskell, C. R. Rlchter, A. II. Cunningham, L. M. Taylor, J. 12. Doug lass, Myron Wheeler, K. K. Hay don. 1883-E. E. Henkle, Frank Smith, T. W. Grlfllth, C. G. Dawes, 0. E. Walte. II. C. Nutt, Jr., Otto Mohronsteckor, H. K. Ker inan, C. B. Manning, W. H. Brovoort, Dr. GlfTcn, C. 8. Mullen, Geo. Holden. 1880-R. Rehlnndcr, Dr. F. D. Crlm, F. C Sholes, 11. J. Hal), Geo. McArthur, J. W. Maxwell, Henry MnnMleld, C. J. Tomplrtou, Dr. W. C. Reoves, II. R. Nlssley Dr. C. E, Spnhr, M. I.AItken, Dr. R. C. Trodgen, O. C.8t. John, 8. T at. John. 1890-Dr. C. F. Lndd, E. E. Henkle, R. 8. Mcintosh, W. J. Dennis, John T. West, Wing Allen, George Hnrpcr, O. A. Olmstend, Har ry Krug, W. Morton Smith, II. B. Clarkson. William Johnson and George Covert. The oldest consecutive member of the club is Frank Zehrung, who Joined llfteen years ago. For seven years ho was the younget-t member. In the very early days the lending spirits wero Frank L. Sheldon, L. C. Rich ards, J. A. BuckstafT, Ceorge A. Spencer, W. P. Fnrwell, D. D. Mutr, L. 0. Dunn, Ed Kdlght (now residing In the oat), R. 11. Oak loy, Frank C Zehrung, O. . Webster, C. Til. Carter, C. 0. Caldwell, J. M. Irwin (now of Qulncy, III.), II. J. Walsh, J. D. MacFar land, G. AI. Lambertson, Thomas Ewlng, B. F. Cobb, N. C. Abbott, J. J. Deck, Dr. F. G. Fuller (deceased), J. H. Alford, J. O. West, Col. J. N. Townloy (deceased), 8. 8. Brock (deceasod), J. II. McMurtry, Carl Funko, J. M. Ferguson, A. G. Beeson, R. C. Outcolt W. M. Colo, George B. Harris and a few others, whose names aro not now recalled. Tho parties wero held In tho Academy of Musio tho first fow years, afterward in the city hall opposite tho Kstofl)co, and later in Temple hill. Good form In tho early days did not demand full dress at the Pleasant Hour assemblies, and the parties wero marked by the entire absonce of formality that inev itably follows the Introduction of tho claw hammer, carriages and flowers. Foralo-ig t me the town boasted only one "hack" uud everybody walkod. Cutaways and Prince Albeitsaud the usual indoor feminine ap paiul constituted "full dress." A new era dnued ten or twelve years ago, when G. W. Fuwoll bioku tho ice and uppoared in a spick and span snallow-tail. His example wn followed by a fow of the bravest among the men, but it took somo tlmo before the weui ei s of these dress suits overcumo tho feeling of shroplshness which uccompanies most un usual acts of this nature. Then custom de manded carriages and tho Pleasant Hour parties gradually becamo more and 11.010 elaborate until tho present condition of alTalrs was reached. Sometimes there wero as many as a hun dred members and occasionally the number dropped to thirty or forty. At one tune a party was given at which only five couples wero present. Among tho notablo assem blies under the auspices of the club may bo mentioned the ball opening tho east wing of tho state capltol, which was an event of pe culiar importance at tho tlmo. The custom of giving a reoiptlon to newly mar ried members bus been observed al most from tho foundation of the club and theso receptions havo always been delightful occasions. A number of very successful calico uud leap year parties have also been given. Tho events of tho proteut season aro still fresh in the memory of readers of The Coumeh and do not call for further comment at this time. Tho Pleasant Hour Junior club, organized in 1887, composed, as might be inferred from its name, of the younger members of society divided honors for a time witn its namesake, and until it merged with the latter, at the commencement of the present season, had a brilliant and highly successful career. At a preliminary meeting held October 20. 1887, at which C. J. Templeton was chairman, a temporary organization was effected, with the following ofllcers: President, J. W. Maxwell; vice piesldent, E. E Edwards; secretary and trcanurer, Oscar F. Kuuke. At the second mMtlng, held October 24, n con stitution was adopted and tho following offl. ccrs wore elected to servo the ensuing year; President, Fred W. Houiz; vlco president, Frank L. Hathaway; secrotary, Otcar F. Funko; treasurer, J. W. Maxwell; master of ceremonies, E. E. Edwards. The signers of tho constitution were: F. W. Houtz, Frank Hnthaway, Oscar F. Fuuke, J. W. Maxwell, E. E. Edwards, Lou 8. Storrs, 8tout, C. J. TompJoton, Buum, G. Smith, Robert .Mulr, Young, McClay, Will Hammond, McConnlff