A Newspaper Clipping from The Laredo Weekly Times

Sun, Mar 03, 1918 ·Page 6

LIKENED TO YE OLDEN DAYS YE WIGS WERE IN EVIDENCED

They Ventured Forth to Partake of a Barbecue, But Instead Were Guests at a Colonial Dinner.

On Friday morning a party of Laredo gentlemen left Laredo and were accompanied by Wilbur P. Allen and were headed to the Jesus Maria Ranch, going as guests to spend the 22nd of February and partake of a barbecue arranged for the occasion.

The trip was made from Laredo in automobiles and upon reaching the ranch the party found a great surprise in store for them, for while the trip was made to the ranch ostensibly to enjoy a barbecue of the usual kind, they found instead a veritable feast awaiting them.

Mrs. Josephine Houghton Allen the estimable wife of Wilbur P. Allen, assisted by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Lasater, had taken the matter of the proposed “barbecue” in hand and decided to make it a patriotic event a la mode and in strict conformity with the customs that prevailed a the time the immortal Washington was in the land of the living. 

The result was that the handsome home on the Jesus Maria Ranch was decorated in patriotic effect for the occasion - Washington’s birthday anniversary - and a strictly colonial feast was in store.

In the Spacious dining hall of the Allen home the table decorations conformed tot the colonial motif, and then the guests of the occasion were given an opportunity to allow their thoughts to revert to the days of Washington and in their fertile imaginations paint a mental picture of the customs and fashions that prevailed a century ago.

They were informed that a colonial dinner would be served and that all would be required to portray the characteristics of the Americans of the time when “the father of his country” was fighting for the freedom of this country.

Accordingly it was decreed that, as in colonial days the people wore gray wigs, that on this occasion, at least, the guests must enter the same class as “vanity fair,” and use powder on their hair to that extent that there be a semblance of the custom of ye olden times.

This was done and, in conformity with the table arrangements, the decorations of the room, etc., a genuine “colonial dinner” was served.

As one of the Laredo gentleman put it, “It was a feast fit for the gods and Delmonico, Sherry or no other noted caterers of the country could equal it.”

It was a sumptuous spread and everyone assembled at the table did full justice to the feast and voted Mrs. Allen a hostess not to be equaled.

Following the dinner a pleasant time was spent in conversation, and then as a befitting climax to a day spent in genuine pleasure the concluding feature was a “grand colonial ball,”  with appropriate music furnished by a Victrola. 

Patriotic songs were sung during the time and as a whole the grand finale to a day of genuine pleasure was an enjoyable event that will linger ion the memories of those present until the time when memories are no more.

The Allen ranch is one of the most modern and model ranches to be found anywhere, and can be more likened to a little municipality than a big cattle ranch.

Many people imagine a ranch as a large area of cactus covered land with a house or two on it and usual corrals, but if they should visit the JESUS MARIA RANCH astonishment would result when they gazed on a ranch laid out in “city style,” with a handsome home for the owner and his family, cozy houses for the ranch hands, school house and chapel, nice wide streets, electrical light plant, water works plant and all modern conveniences.

And there, too, when you meet Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur P. Allen you meet with that genuine Southern hospitality that makes one feel that he is among friends who seek to make him comfortable and at home, for conventionality gives way to hospitality when you are around the Allens.