Logan County KS Archives News....."Surprised!" {birthday party for Mrs. W. R. BENHAM}  December 8, 1887
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Cic. Stetter TimeTraveler303@aol.com February 17, 2008, 8:32 pm

The Winona Clipper, Winona, Kansas; December 8, 1887 December 8, 1887

SURPRISED!

Monday evening:  according to preconcerted arrangements, the many friends of 
Mrs. W. R. BENHAM assembled at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. BENHAM in large 
numbers until the little house was uncomfortably packed with friends of the 
family who came there to surprise Mrs. BENHAM, it being her 61st birthday.  By 
previous arrangements, the pleasant old lady had been coyed away to a neighbors 
house in the country to spend the early part of the evening and it was arranged 
for her to return home about 8 o'clock.  Everything worked charmingly and an 
elegant hanging lamp had been suspended from the ceiling and lighted, a present 
from the guests, besides a beautiful plush photograph album, a present from the 
husband, adorned the center table.  There were other little presents of which 
your reporter did not learn the doners (sic) name which we will not mention.  
As the hour of eight o'clock approached, the guests, all feeling very guilty in 
perpetrating such a joke on the mistress of the house, besides the guilt of 
taking absolute possession of her home during her absence, tearing down the 
beds and taking them out of the way and such like, awaited in the sitting room 
with abated breath, the arrival of Mrs. BENHAM, who unknowingly did not 
disappoint the crowd and to describe her surprise upon entering the house would 
be impossible.  She was completely overcome and she ran around shaking hands 
first with this one and that one as though she were but sixteen instead of 
sixty-one.  She admitted she was somewhat excited and that the affair was a 
complete surprise.  After this some of the thoughtful lady friends, it was 
evident, had come prepared, and presently the cake, peaches and apples began to 
be distributed to the guests, and then the company assembled in groups and 
knots and passed a pleasant evening, some in conversation, some around the 
table at whist and some in an adjoining room playing blind man's buff.  Along 
towards 11 o'clock the crowd gradually began growing smaller and guests taking 
their leave who all expressed themselves having an enjoyable time and wishing 
Mrs. BENHAM many birth days and surprise parties.  

________________

Source:  The Winona CLIPPER, Winona, Logan County, Kansas; Thursday, December 
8, 1887; 
Volume 1 No. 2, page 1 column 4.  Microfilm available at Oakley Public Library 
(Logan County, Kansas); filmed by/for Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, 
Kansas. 



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