This post is part of the Donohoo Descendancy Project. Howard Hynes Donohoo was the son of Michael and Caroline (Green) Donohoo, and the grandson of Patrick and Sarah (Thornbury) Donohoo.
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Howard Donohoo was a traveling salesman with a penchant for parties and entertaining his friends. Much about his life has been learned through newspaper articles detailing his social engagements. What follows is an interesting article about a party that Howard attended in Bardstown, Kentucky, in June 1891. It seemed appropriate to post this article during the Christmas season, as the description of this “Tacky Party” from 1891 parallels our modern day Ugly Christmas Sweater parties, complete with prizes for most tacky costume.
“Bardstown, June 19- (Special).
…
-Miss Lila Johnson entertained her
friends in honor of Miss Lucile Caldwell at
a “Tacky Party.” Wednesday evening. As a
premium was offered to the one who looked
the “tackiest,” they were dressed up in the
“tackiest,” manner possible. Grandfathers’
and grandmothers’ dresses of a century past
were brought from their hiding places and
did good service. Dancing and other amuse-
ments were enjoyed. An elegant supper was
served. Over the table hung a card bear-
ing the inscription in letters of silver “Wel-
come Tacks.” Hon. J. W. Muir and wife,
Mrs. Viglini were judges. The prize, a
beautiful moonstone ring, was awarded to
Miss Phoebe Daugherty. The gentleman’s
prize was won by Mr. Willard Spalding, of
Cincinnati. Those present were: Hon. And
Mrs. J. W. Muir, Mrs. Viglini, Mrs. Carpen-
ter, Mrs. Theo Sloan, Misses Lila Johnson,
Ella and Phoebe Daugherty, Nannie and Lou
Ella Hobbs, Ophelia McKay, Nan Talbott,
Annette Haydon, Fannie Mattingly, Olga
Wilson, Blanche Crum, Madge Nicholls,
Bardstown; Lucile Caldwell, Danville; Mat-
tie Brown, Georgetown; Kate Holeran,
Frankfort; Rose Walker, Cincinnati; Howard Donohoo,
St. Louis; Crepna and Yulu Beckham, Allan
and Lud McKay, Ike and Guthrie Wilson,
Edgar Crawford, Collings Richardson, Will
Grigsby, Bob Carothers, Dan Talbott, Lovel
Arnold, F. E. Daugherty, Bardstown.”
From “Miss Lila Johnson entertained her friends…” The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky). Sat, Jun 20, 1891. Page 9. Accessed at newspapers.com on 20 January 2015.
