1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL 227THE CONVENTION BALLMore than four hundred loyal Phis, with their wives, sweethearts,"best girls," and new acquaintances, attired in the evening regaliaof society, congregated in the Louis XIV ball room of the HotelLa Salle, Chicago, on the night of January 2, to trip the light fantasticto the musical strains of Brother Auracher's supurb fifteenpieceorchestra. The occasion was the ball given by the ChicagoAlumni Club in connection with the thirty-second biennial nationalconvention of Phi Delta Theta.The room was surrounded by tall palms, through which rose andblue lights glowed, forming an effective background for the beautifullygowned figures which graced the scene. The grand march swunginto line promptly at nine o'clock, with Brother Orville W. Thompson,of Chicago, and his beautiful wife at the head. Mrs. Thompson'spale blue costume was set off in marked contrast by the large bouquetof American Beauties on her arm. Brother and Mrs. James H. Wilkersonoccupied second place in the line, while the reception committeeconsisted of Brother L. L. Iseman, of the Chicago AlumniClub; Brother W. H. Woolston, of the University of Illinois; BrotherF. Steinbrecher, of the University of Chicago; and Brother J. C.Eaton, of Northwestern University.The large double ball room of the La Salle has probably neverbeen graced with an exquisite display of feminine beauty such as wasseen there at this time. From the co-ed freshman of the local universities,to the more stately and dignified wives of the alumni, theassembly could not be excelled anywhere.The committee iij charge is to be congratulated on the fact thatthey secured partners for all visiting brothers, who wished to attendthe function. Northwestern furnished a liberal quota of her fairco-eds, and Chicago University likewise, while many of these hadsisters, cousins, and friends, who were pressed into service. Mostof the Chicago Phis who are undergraduates at universities all overthe country, were given an opportunity to attend the ball, as the datewas included in the Christmas vacation of most colleges.Noticeable among those present were the gentlemen from the South,the land far-famed for its chivalry. These men lived up to theirreputation, and made quite a "hit" with their Northern countrymen.About twelve o'clock, the men broke loose from all the bounds ofconventionality, and gave a lively "snake dance" about the hall.The feminine contingent eagerly looked on for a few moments, andthen, unable to restrain themselves any longer, formed a line andjoined in the fun. This hilarity was carried on to the inspiringtunes of Phi Delta Theta music, and was one of the most enjoyablefeatures of the occasion.The list of patronesses follows: Mrs. O. W. Thompson, Mrs. G. T.Jordan, Mrs. W. E. Higbee, Mrs. Hoyt King, Mrs. A. L. Haskell,