Miss Frank Gilreath attended a dance given by the F. E. L. Club, of Cartersville.
Background:
In late December 1890, probably on New Year's Eve, the young social set of Cartersville were invited to "a german." This was a couples party or social, which featured a dance called "the german" (a particular ballroom dance or set of dances, similar to or also called, a cotillion, and featuring a rather elaborate set of waltzes and other dances, with couples in lines, large circles, or smaller sets of circles, changing formations in an orchestrated way. The 1890s trend was a revival of an earlier trend of fancy ballroom dancing fashionable in the 18th century.
It was a fashion trend. This Cartersville affair occurred a full year before a description of "the german" is said to have appeared in newspapers all over the country in December 1891. The cotillion is still used as a coming-of-age party in some cultures. In one particular culture, "eighteen" is the theme; eighteen couple are invited, eighteen roses are presented to the debutante, etcetera.
The F. E. L. Club, formerly called "The Busy Bees," was a local amateur concert troupe in Cartersville, said to have some talented singers and musical groups among its members. Events featured outings, various fancy socials, planned to-dos at the local opera house, or meetings followed by games and food. Finding articles on this specific club is hard--the news search function is hard to narrow.
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[Subject]: Miss Frank Gilreath in 'An Elegant German: The Young People of the F. E. L. Club Score a Great Success,' "The Courant-American" (Cartersville), Thurs., 01 January 1891, page 6.
[Summary]: The dance was hosted by and for members "of the F. E. L. Club." At this particular social, "refreshments of salad, crackers and coffee" were served.*
The german "was led by Carl Smith and Miss Edwina Crosby" and "continued until a late hour." One of the four chaperones was Mrs. G. H. Gilreath. One of the couples in attendance was "Miss Frank Gilreath and Charlie Wallace." Sixteen other couples, as well as two specified young men, "and others" were in attendance. The social was described as "pleasant," "delightful," "a great success," and an event that "will long be remembered by the young people of Cartersville."
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*Salad, crackers, and coffee seems an unexpected combination for late-night party fare, or even for an afternoon tea--no way to know if it was the traditional fare for a "german," or just the Cartersville hostess's fare of choice. It is light fare--so perhaps it was traditional to eat light on the eve and save any feasting for New Year's Day.
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[Article Citation]: Mrs. G. H. Gilreath in "An Elegant German: The Young People of the F. E. L. Club Score a Great Success," /The Courant-American/ (Cartersville, Bartow, Georgia) 1889-1901, Thurs., 01 January 1891, page 6 (digital image 6). Georgia Historic Newspapers, Digital Library of Georgia (GALILEO). https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn88054137/1891-01-01/ed-1/seq-6/print/image_586x817_from_2183,202_to_3762,2402/ (accessed 06 December 2020 by D.K. Pritchett).
1) 1 January, p.6, a couples dance and social called "a german" (probably on New Year's Eve)
2) 2 April p. 8, a hayride, games, songs, piano music, supper, making plans for a fundraising concert; among its talented members are singers, including "the hungry quartette from Sing Sing"
3) 9 April p. 5, a meeting (brief mention)
4) 30 April, p.8, a picnic.
F. E. L. Club refs.:
The Courant-American. (Cartersville, Ga.), 02 April 1891, page 8
The Courant-American. (Cartersville, Ga.) 30 April 1891, page 8
F. E. L. Club in 'An Unique Concert,' "The Courant-American" (Cartersville) 28 May 1891, page 4.
This brief entertainment announcement, describing the F. E. L. Club as an "amatuer concert troupe" which has many talented members, advertises an "amusing" concert on "Friday evening next" to raise funds for purchasing a "lawn tennis set."
[Contains a Description]: F. E. L. Club in "An Unique Concert," /The Courant-American/ (Cartersville, Bartow, Georgia) 1889-1901, Thurs., 28 May 1891, page 4 (digital image 4). Georgia Historic Newspapers, Digital Library of Georgia (GALILEO).
https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn88054137/1891-05-28/ed-1/seq-4/print/image_546x817_from_3544,5510_to_4382,6762/ (accessed 06 December 2020 by D.K. Pritchett).
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