Even though the early settlers lived in log cabins, there is still an account of a Ball occurring in 1831. This party took place in a house along Hickory Creek, possibly in present-day New Lenox. The ball apparently was quite a hit back in the 1830s. The History of Will County, 1878 describes three out of five Chicago bachelors came to the ball on their horses. The party lasted for about two days as the guests were required to travel quite a few miles. The festivities began at noon. According to the History of Will County, 1878, a variety of dishes seem to have been present including: “prairie chickens, pumpkin pie, crab apple sauce or stewed wild plums, melon, and wild grapes. Corn dodgers (baked or fried corn bread cake) were also served along with saleratus (baking soda) biscuit and wild honey.”
Apparently the young Chicago bachelors put on more of a show flirting with the young ladies as the History of Will County, 1878 book states. The settlers of Hickory Creek were upset with this behavior, and decided in the middle of the night to play a prank on these bachelors. When daylight came, everyone noticed that the manes and tails were cut off of the Chicago bachelor’s horses! This party-foul put an unfortunate ending to the first ball of Will County.
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