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Date
November 16, 1884
Abstract
VC 1888; Letters written at Vassar by Mary Sheldon '88. Given by Hazel (Leach) Carpenter '09. Letters present an eye witness account of election celebrations. A.C mentioned in the letters refers to Alfred College.
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vassar:25016,Box 73,VCL_Letters_Stephenson_Mary_1888_001
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: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001001
VC Pokeepsie, N.Y.
Nov. 16, 1884.
Dear Sate,-
This is Sunday morning,
I have just come from
Bible class, which we have
at 9.00 A.M. and do not have
church until eleven, so I thought
I would take a little time to
answer your letter.
There has ever so many
things happened here since
last I wrote to you.
The first thing happened
election week. When on Wednesday
night after election everything
looked so favorably for
Blaine, the faculty allowed
Nov. 16, 1884.
Dear Sate,-
This is Sunday morning,
I have just come from
Bible class, which we have
at 9.00 A.M. and do not have
church until eleven, so I thought
I would take a little time to
answer your letter.
There has ever so many
things happened here since
last I wrote to you.
The first thing happened
election week. When on Wednesday
night after election everything
looked so favorably for
Blaine, the faculty allowed
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001002
us to have a procession.
The girls trimmed the corridors
with flags, and
in anything that they could
find that would show the
three colors red, white, and
blue. The corridors are
two hundred feet long
and there are five of them, it
was so cold we could not
go out doors so we just
marched in them. There
were over two hundred girls
in line, each was dressed
in white skirts, black [waistes?],
with a large bow of red, white
and blue ribbon on the
left shoulder, and a fancy
The girls trimmed the corridors
with flags, and
in anything that they could
find that would show the
three colors red, white, and
blue. The corridors are
two hundred feet long
and there are five of them, it
was so cold we could not
go out doors so we just
marched in them. There
were over two hundred girls
in line, each was dressed
in white skirts, black [waistes?],
with a large bow of red, white
and blue ribbon on the
left shoulder, and a fancy
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001003
cap of some kind on their head,
each carried a Chinese
lantern or a broom, or
something of the sort in
her hand. Then there were
four girls who carried the
bier of Cleveland which
was very funny. They had
crom pictures of Blaine
for banners. While we
were marching there were
tar barrels burning out
side the college, which
lightened up the building
very much. Many who
witnessed the parade said
it was the prettiest thing
of the kind they had ever
each carried a Chinese
lantern or a broom, or
something of the sort in
her hand. Then there were
four girls who carried the
bier of Cleveland which
was very funny. They had
crom pictures of Blaine
for banners. While we
were marching there were
tar barrels burning out
side the college, which
lightened up the building
very much. Many who
witnessed the parade said
it was the prettiest thing
of the kind they had ever
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001004
seen. When we had marched
for some time we broke
ranks to see the fire
works which were purchased
for our benefit. They were
ever so pretty. When they
were exhausted we were ordered
in line again and were
marched much to our
surprise into the dining
room where we found the
democrats dressed in deep
mourning ready to wait
on us to oysters which
Pres. Caldwell and Miss
Goodsell ordered for our
benefit. When we were
nicely seated the democrats
for some time we broke
ranks to see the fire
works which were purchased
for our benefit. They were
ever so pretty. When they
were exhausted we were ordered
in line again and were
marched much to our
surprise into the dining
room where we found the
democrats dressed in deep
mourning ready to wait
on us to oysters which
Pres. Caldwell and Miss
Goodsell ordered for our
benefit. When we were
nicely seated the democrats
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001005
gathered in the centre of the
room and sang for us the
words were composed for the
occasion and were very funny.
When we were through eat-
ing Pres. Caldwell, and Mr.
Van Fleet the manager of the
college gave us some toasts
airing all their humor.
After giving three cheers for
Blaine we went to our rooms.
I just wish you could have
been here it was just lovely.
Last Teusday eve the freshmen
were invited to the
opening of the senior parlor.
Each senior invited two
and came after us, acting the
room and sang for us the
words were composed for the
occasion and were very funny.
When we were through eat-
ing Pres. Caldwell, and Mr.
Van Fleet the manager of the
college gave us some toasts
airing all their humor.
After giving three cheers for
Blaine we went to our rooms.
I just wish you could have
been here it was just lovely.
Last Teusday eve the freshmen
were invited to the
opening of the senior parlor.
Each senior invited two
and came after us, acting the
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001006
part of gentleman beautifully.
Their parlor was beautiful.
They gave us coffee, with the
most delicious cream in
it, and waffers, for refreshment.
I forgot to tell you they sent
us written invitations on
their class paper, then they
had little programmes for
us when we got there.
Wednesday night the Phil-
harmonic club from New
York gave us the first
concert of the season, we
have five during the year.
They played beautifully.
Last night was the
sophomore party, the grandest
Their parlor was beautiful.
They gave us coffee, with the
most delicious cream in
it, and waffers, for refreshment.
I forgot to tell you they sent
us written invitations on
their class paper, then they
had little programmes for
us when we got there.
Wednesday night the Phil-
harmonic club from New
York gave us the first
concert of the season, we
have five during the year.
They played beautifully.
Last night was the
sophomore party, the grandest
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001007
event yet. It was given
for the freshman, each
soph, sent a written invitation
to the lady she was
to take, they were "swell" too,
I went with Maine Setchel's
cousin. She sent me flowers
to wear, roses & smilax, and
every thing was lovely. The
girls were dressed elegantly,
all colors of light silks &
satins were worn, many wore
gloves. Most of the teachers were
there, and oh! how lovely some
of them are. We had programmes
for dancing and in the
Virginia reel, the last dance,
even Pres. Caldwell joined in.
for the freshman, each
soph, sent a written invitation
to the lady she was
to take, they were "swell" too,
I went with Maine Setchel's
cousin. She sent me flowers
to wear, roses & smilax, and
every thing was lovely. The
girls were dressed elegantly,
all colors of light silks &
satins were worn, many wore
gloves. Most of the teachers were
there, and oh! how lovely some
of them are. We had programmes
for dancing and in the
Virginia reel, the last dance,
even Pres. Caldwell joined in.
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001008
We had chocolate, sandwiches,
ice cream, and cake for
refreshments. I don't believe
I ever had a better time
in my life. It was given
in society hall, the girls
festooned the walls with
curtains, many were the sofa's
and easy chairs, pictures,
cabinets etc. It was
just grand. I wore my
lightest silk with my neck
low filled in white lace, my
hair powdered, and flowers.
I guess I looked well enough.
By the way I don't wear
my hair as I used to.
I wear it in a rather loose
ice cream, and cake for
refreshments. I don't believe
I ever had a better time
in my life. It was given
in society hall, the girls
festooned the walls with
curtains, many were the sofa's
and easy chairs, pictures,
cabinets etc. It was
just grand. I wore my
lightest silk with my neck
low filled in white lace, my
hair powdered, and flowers.
I guess I looked well enough.
By the way I don't wear
my hair as I used to.
I wear it in a rather loose
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001009
coil on top of my head and
in front I wear it combed
right straight back but
have it montagued (I guess
that is the way you spell it)
right over my temples. I
comb it out so it is real
fluffy, they all tell me
it is becoming, and it is
all the style. Many
of the girls wear their hair
pompedour though.
I received a letter from
Leona the other day and
she asked about you. She
is a strong [prohibitionist]
republican. She said they
burned St. John in effigy
in front I wear it combed
right straight back but
have it montagued (I guess
that is the way you spell it)
right over my temples. I
comb it out so it is real
fluffy, they all tell me
it is becoming, and it is
all the style. Many
of the girls wear their hair
pompedour though.
I received a letter from
Leona the other day and
she asked about you. She
is a strong [prohibitionist]
republican. She said they
burned St. John in effigy
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001010
in A.C. one day last week.
I think the prohibitionists
every where will regret their
work this year all over
the Union before four years
is over.
No Mamie Setchel is
not in A.C. this fall,
and I don't think she intends
returning next term. I
received a long letter from
her just a little while ago.
I had forgotten all about
the 6th of Nov. being Walter
Bliss' birthday. I only thought
of the day as cousin Bert's
wedding day. Aunt May
sent me a box of wedding
I think the prohibitionists
every where will regret their
work this year all over
the Union before four years
is over.
No Mamie Setchel is
not in A.C. this fall,
and I don't think she intends
returning next term. I
received a long letter from
her just a little while ago.
I had forgotten all about
the 6th of Nov. being Walter
Bliss' birthday. I only thought
of the day as cousin Bert's
wedding day. Aunt May
sent me a box of wedding
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001011
cake and some Malaga
grapes which was very
welcome. Bert had a very
swell wedding, how I should
liked to have been there.
Will you attend Frank
Williams wedding? I
don't suppose you care
much about It, seeing your
love for him is not very extensive.
Just five weeks from
last Friday I shall go home
if nothing happens,
I am so anxious to go I can
scarcely wait. Mama is
not at all well, has the
rheumatism so she can't even
grapes which was very
welcome. Bert had a very
swell wedding, how I should
liked to have been there.
Will you attend Frank
Williams wedding? I
don't suppose you care
much about It, seeing your
love for him is not very extensive.
Just five weeks from
last Friday I shall go home
if nothing happens,
I am so anxious to go I can
scarcely wait. Mama is
not at all well, has the
rheumatism so she can't even
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001012
walk to church, she always has to ride.
I worry a great deal about her.
I have sent one of my
tintypes away and the
other I want to keep, if
I have two another time
I will send one to you.
When you write to May
tell her I am still looking
for a letter from her.
I hope I haven't tired
you out with this long
letter which I have scratched
off to you in double quick
time.
It is now about time for
church so will close, lovingly
Yours Mary.
[Mary Sheldon, '88.
A.C. is Alfred College.]
I worry a great deal about her.
I have sent one of my
tintypes away and the
other I want to keep, if
I have two another time
I will send one to you.
When you write to May
tell her I am still looking
for a letter from her.
I hope I haven't tired
you out with this long
letter which I have scratched
off to you in double quick
time.
It is now about time for
church so will close, lovingly
Yours Mary.
[Mary Sheldon, '88.
A.C. is Alfred College.]
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001013
P.S. Leona wondered if the walls of Vassar
were posted all over with "no smoking."
She spoke of that after she asked about you, what
do you suppose she was thinking of???
M.S.
were posted all over with "no smoking."
She spoke of that after she asked about you, what
do you suppose she was thinking of???
M.S.
: VCLLettersStephensonMary1888001014
Letters written at Vassar by Mary Sheldon '88. Given by Hazel (Leach) Carpenter '09.
Letters present an eye witness account of election celebrations. A.C mentioned in the letters refers to Alfred College.
