Thursday morning, Dec. 19, 1872, the citizens of Ellsworth, Kan., woke up to see the ground covered with snow. First thoughts on beholding the beautiful snow were that it might interfere with the Festival and Ball that evening at the brand new Grand Central Hotel.

According to the Ellsworth Reporter, “There was little wind stirring though, and an inch of snow would not be likely to keep many away...” It was the season of balls and hope. Out on the Kansas plains, the people were great on balls.

Balls were grand social affairs that drew communities together with an element of grandeur. Grand balls were generally magnificent affairs staged as pleasant distractions, taking one away, if only for a few hours, from the long and dreary stretches of the winter season. A certain decorum, with emphasis on the traditions of proper society, was closely observed, at least as close as frontier resources would allow.

Ellsworth as a Kansas cattle town was winding up a very successful year of hosting the southern Texans and their wild longhorn cattle. Nearly 42,000 head of cattle were shipped from the stockyards. Tens of thousands more were sold on the range to be driven to other destinations to stock new ranches and open grazing operations.

Arthur Larkin’s red brick Grand Central Hotel sat on the corner of North Main and E Street (Lincoln Avenue). The hotel was erected at a cost of $27,000 in preparation for an expected escalation of the cattle trade in the coming season. The hotel boasted a manganese limestone sidewalk at a cost of $400. The magnificent stone walk was said to be the finest west of Kansas City. The Catholic church had just been finished, and being a Catholic adherent, Larkin held the event as a benefit for the new church. The Festival and Ball would be the first social event to be held in Larkin’s newly-completed hotel.

Ellsworth folks were happy to help add the finishing touches to the yet unoccupied ball room.

“All day, the Grand Central was alive with the noise of preparation. Extra hands were called into service. The new furniture, the new crockery, the new silverware were unpacked, the eight walnut extension tables were drawn out, the tapestry carpets were put down. The hall was decorated. The kitchen was the scene of important culinary operations. By noon, people from the country began to come in. All the afternoon there was hurrying toand-fro — men and women carrying frosted cakes and other kinds of cake to add to Mrs.

Larkin’s large supply. At 8 o’clock the Grand Central was full, and at 10 o’clock it was crowded, and if the snow did keep any away, it was well for the comfort of all. This city turned out almost en masse. Representatives from the surrounding countryside turned out. Brookville did nobly, Lincoln County had some delegates present and would have had more if it had not been for the snow, Russell contributed to the number of festivalers and we presume other counties.”

Dancing commenced at about 9 o’clock. Bradshaw, Parkhurst, Hank and Hagerman furnished excellent music. About 90 couples were present, and all, of course, could not dance at once, but as the ball lasted till the full orbed monarch of day presented himself through the east windows, all had as much exercise as they could desire.

A little after 12 o’clock, supper was announced. The tables could only accommodate a third of the company at once. The feast was a most bountiful one... The meats were good, the cakes were good, the sauce was good, everything was good and the new silver forks did good duty in carrying away the supper.

Beef, chicken and turkey was served in abundance with all the trimmings, and being a frontier town on the wide Kansas plains, buffalo tongue was the premier delicacy of the evening. Beer, ale, porter, wine and brandy buoyed the good cheer that permeated throughout the hall.

“Following the grand feast, participants were encouraged to cast a monetary “vote” for various categories such as “handsomest young lady.” Prizes included a cane, set of silver spoons, gold bracelet, smoking cap and a watch.”

“After all this was over, the dance was renewed. Those who could not dance enjoyed looking on. There were handsome ladies dressed elegantly and it was a pleasure to watch them go through the mazes of the dance, their light feet keeping time to Bradshaw’s music.”

Only the dawning of daylight’s bright sun upon the glistening blanket of snow could bring the revelers to a spent tranquility that accompanied each and every one through cheerful streets while looking forward to Christmas day on The Way West.

“The Cowboy” Jim Gray can be reached at 220 21st Rd., Geneseo, KS 67444, (785) 5312058 or kansascowboy@kans.com.