Jingo - -
Henry L. Doherty was involved in a number of investments, leading Wall
Street financiers by being a director on 123 companies’ boards in
1932. That included Cities Service, the gas and oil supplier.
The event to which you’re referring is probably the 1930 ‘debut’ of
Helen Lee Eames Doherty, which occurred at the Mayflower Hotel in
Washington, DC on December 26, 1930. The social debut was attended by
1,000 guests, including the vice-president, the secretary of war, the
Chilean ambassador to the U.S. The Papal Marquis, George MacDonald,
was the debutante’s escort.
The New York guests arrived by special train in Washington, DC.
Though no amount for the party is mentioned in the New York Times, the
news story let us know that:
* the reception took the entire 1st floor of the Mayflower for
reception, midnight supper and all-night dancing
* entertaining were radio performer Jessica Dragonet, the Cities
Service Orchestra, and Sidney’s Mayflower orchestra
* several hundred plants were used to decorate the event.
"Miss Doherty wore a lovely, but simple frock of pink chiffon
embroidered in narrow bands of brilliants. Beginning with the bouquet
given her by her parents, the debutante changed flowers at intervals,"
gushes the New York Times in an account on December 27, 1930.
Two things lead me to believe that this is the event that you’re
seeking:
1. Senator George Norris, of Nebraska, castigated Doherty right after
the event. In the December 28 New York Times he said that the party
was an example of "a man scattering money around ruthlessly while
millions are suffering." Norris made reference to a bread line in the
same block as the party was held on Connecticut Avenue in Washington
and added, "I can’t help thinking that this is exactly the same
situation as existed prior to the French Revolution."
2. Helen Lee Eames Doherty is still single in 1932 articles mentioning
her. In June, 1932, she threw a party for another couple that was
engaged.
Helen Lee Eames Doherty was the daughter of Mrs. Doherty by an earlier
marriage. She had been adopted by Henry L. Doherty. Prior to the
debut, she had been in convent schools in Europe for 10 years.
Google search strategy:
For this one I used the Proquest Historical newspaper collection,
which includes the New York Times back to 1851. The search for ‘Henry
L. Doherty’ turns up more than 150 references in 1932; more than 100
for 1931; and several hundred more in 1930. Doherty was actively
involved in business interests and also in a libel suit involving he
Kansas City Star.
Proquest Historical newspapers are often available online via public
libraries.
Best regards,
Omnivorous-GA |
