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March 7, 1916 -- In "The Gypsy Prince," presented last night at Rauscher's for the benefit of the Junior League, one of the most striking features was the chorus of "Favorite Daughters," represented above. Reading from left to right, they are Miss Mildred Anderson, Miss Margaret Howard, Miss Katherine Burdette, Miss Margaret Fahnestock, Miss Marie Sims, Miss Pocahontas Butler, Miss Dorothy Deeble and Miss Grace Overman.
Washington, D.C., 1916. "Gypsy Prince, group." Eight Misses whose act was a hit. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.
I suspect they had the girls sew their own costumes. That was common, even when I was performing in high school and college groups, in the early 70s. At any rate, I assume they at least had everyone hem their own skirts. Most are blind stitched by hand, but a few were done by machine. I'm sure those choosing to do the latter thought "Oh, no one will ever notice!"
I also find it interesting that a few bought their white shoes from the nurse's supply store.
Pocahontas Butler Woodson was interviewed by the author of a book about her father, Sen. Marion Butler, in 1986. Three months before this photo was taken, she was mentioned in The Washington Post.
Then as now, some people give their children names of personal interest rather than of any particular practicality. One of the secretaries when I attended high school in the 1960s, a lady likely a contemporary of these in age, was named Aloha. When I began teaching in the 1970s a coworker had a student named T9C, pronounced Te-nine-cy.
People named Dorothy and Mildred are 80-100 years old. People named Grace, Marie, Katherine and Margaret are everywhere. People named Pocahontas are . . . what?
Miss Deeble did not get the memo to wear white shoes.
Born 1894 in North Carolina, she would marry an Army officer, live a full life, and die at the tender age of 102.
Was Pocahontas Butler named after Chief Powhatan's daughter or perhaps she was a descendent of John Rolfe? Or was it a gag?
Thank God for the brassiere!
They're all dressed like sisters of the "Big Boy" mascot!
Because everyone knows that gypsies are more into florals than geometrics.
Miss Margaret Fahnestock struck a flirtatious pose. Scandalous!
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