Luncheon in Honor of the President Delightful Affair Took Place in New York State Building This Afternoon Many Distinguished Men Were There September 5, 1901 Buffalo Evening News The luncheon given to the President and the visiting diplomats, statesmen, men in local civic business and judicial circles by the New York State Commissioners in the New York's stately building, was a sybaritic spread in marble halls, and Pompeiian in its magnificence. The tables in the State Hall were arranged so than one long table extended the length of the room from east to west, and three other tables branched off from this to the north. The President's seat was placed at the center of the first table, the doors to the southern portico being at his back and conealed by the colors ofthe 65th Regiment. The reception room was filled with other tables. The decorations were ferns and gladioli, together with water lilies, arranged by William Scott, superintendent of floriculture, which formed an effective setting for the snowy napery and cut glass and silver. A massive bunch of roses constituted an ambuscade for President McKinley. Kuhn's orchestra was stationed in the gallery and rendered the following program:
The total seating capacity of the tables was 210, of which 103 were in the State Hall and 107 in the reception room. The menu cards bore a picture of the President wreathed in the National colors. The menu itself [is here]. Under the chair occupied by President McKinley was a beautiful silken rug, valued at $3000 and offered for the purpose by Mrs. H.B. Yardum, who is visiting in this city. [Listing of guests followed]
|