KinSource - Tale of the Week - Cheerful Farewell to 1900, Heartfelt Welcome to 1901

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Minneapolis Tribune, January 1, 1901, p. 1

Cheerful Farewell

Heartfelt Welcome

---TO---

1900

Minneapolis Rings Out the
Old and Rings in the New as
Never Before in Her History.

---TO---

1901

Few Minneapolitans lived up to the good old idea of going to bed early last night, but dutifully sat in to the "wee sma' hours" of the morning, waiting to give a noisy or prayerful welcome to the New Year and the new century, which brings with it a range of problems and possibilities never before presented.

Many of the thoughtful persons were to be found in the churches, engaged in the relation of experiences, or devoting their time to prayerful contemplation of the duties that the new century brings with it, while others took the line of least resistance and passed the time in dancing and jollification.

In some places not a little amusement was derived from the fact that the new year, according to County Surveyor Cooley, does not arrive in Minneapolis until 14 minutes and five seconds after 12 by the standard time, so there was considerable of a question as to whether or not it was proper to announce the arrival until that time or adhere to the old custom of making things howl on the arrival of midnight.

Engineers throughout the city were not given to such hair splitting technicalities, and promptly at 12 o'clock proceeded to do their part in giving a correct imitation of bedlum when it is not just what it ought to be, and the owners of fire arms also took this opportunity of seeing if they really were loaded.

Nearly every bell in the city was set to jangling, without regard to time or tune, and considering the time devoted to making this hubbub there is little room for doubt that the New Year received a most cordial reception, whether it came at 12 o'clock or 15 minutes later.

The cold weather made house parties a popular way of spending the evening, and many old friendhips were in this way renewed or strengthened throughout the city amid the jollification of the young folks, and the heart of the small boy was made glad by being allowed to "sit up late" with the grown folks.

The night was clear, though cold, and the slippery sidewalks did not deter the devout ones from making up large audiences at the many church services held throughout the city. Besides the usual New Year's observances, the coincidence of the New Year and a new century was marked by special and elaborate services, and in several instances the various sects all met together in one church, making at once a reunion and a watch meeting.

In all of the Roman Catholic churches [solemn] high mass was celebrated, and special musical features were provided. In compliance with the wishes of the pope that every archbishop and bishop should officiate in person at these masses, the services were conducted by the highest church dignitary available to each congregation.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce began their celebration early in the day by closing at noon and devoting the afternoon to the smashing of hats and other practical joys, to the delight of an audience that packed the floor out into the hallway. They also had an excellent program by professional brilliants of the vaudeville world, and gave one of the best free shows ever seen in the city.

It was one of the few nights in the year when the vigilant policeman felt that he could relax his dignity to the extent of permitting noisy crowds on the streets in the early morning hours, and many lusty lunged individuals took this chance of getting rid of enough wind to run a political campaign.

Amid all the fun, however, it was notable that the vast majority of Minneapolis people could not contemplate the future greatness of the city without a good bit of sober thought. The universal prosperity proved favorable to liberal enjoyment of pleasure, but amid all the merriment the responsibilities of the new era did not seem to be forgotten.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.