Dallas History Items: 1911 Idlewild Ball

Throughout the years, the Idlewild Club has stood as a symbol of high society here in Dallas. Founded in 1884, it was and still is the premier ball in which young ladies are presented to society as debutantes. As it is an exclusive club, young ladies must receive invitations to attend. The ball, a time honored tradition, holds much meaning to those who attend. It is a magical time for the young debutantes that provides a wonderous lot of memories.

One of the debutantes presented at the Idlewild Ball on November 10, 1911 was Margaret Scruggs. She attended the party with John Dawson and, as told in her diary, found the ball to be "...the most beautiful party I ever saw...". To the ball she carried with her a compact with an attached notebook. Inside, this notebook contained such things as a list of the officers of the Idlewild Club, the Floor Committee, the Reception Committee, and the Patronesses of the Ball. After all of these was her dance card. It was full and included such names as Matkin, Cawort, and Burgher. Margaret had a magical time at the ball. In her diary it says "...I have been dazed ever since...we were at the table of honor...". Favours were corsage pins that Margaret said were "lovely". It was a wonderful time that lasted quite late into the night, bringing her home at 5am. Margaret's final words on the party say it all. To her it was "...such bliss..."

Compact-notebook set and diary, gift of Margaret Scruggs Carruth.
M 3832-7, A6179

All information above was taken from the compact and notebook mentioned and from Margaret Scruggs Carruth's diary covering the time period of 1910-1912.

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