Louella Bolibaugh Thurston

The following story appeared in the March 7, 1929, issue of the Osceola Sentinel.

Louella was born in Osceola in 1886 to Dr. William and Livardi Bolibaugh. She received her education in the Osceola schools and was married to local attorney Lloyd Thurston of Osceola in 1910.

Louella was active in civic affairs, organizing the Barnes-Moore Chapter of D.A.R. in Osceola and played a large part in organizing the Women’s Club in 1939.

From 1926 to 1940, she and Lloyd lived in Washington D.C. as he served in the U.S. Congress those years. She was one of the hostesses in the congressional set at the national capitol and widely known in local circles when Lloyd was a member of the Iowa state legislature.

She attended many state functions and receptions each season. There was always usual shopping and pleasant anticipation among all the ladies.

She and other wives of members of Congress were thrilled when they received invitations to a Valentine tea given by Mrs. President Coolidge at the White House.

The day of the reception arrived with sunshine and balmy springtime weather. Guests were received at the east door of the White House. Their wraps were checked and the ladies gathered in the East Room used for all large gatherings and functions, with four fireplaces that were banked with ferns and flowers. She got to see the piano covered with gold leaf, a gift to the White House many years before. There were benches upholstered with a lovely brocade. The chandeliers were very large and the light on the crystal prisms added color and brightness to the room.

Mrs. Coolidge received the guests in the Green Room. She was gowned in a dark red, draped dress of silk. He buckled pumps matched her gown perfectly in color, although they were of kid, her hair just beginning to show grey. She expressed her regret at leaving Washington.

The guests then passed through the Red and Blue Rooms not he way to the dining room. The Executive Mansion is the storehouse of many treasures and Mrs. Coolidge brought out furniture that had been stored away.

Tea was served in the dining room. Hand-carved English oak added dignity and a formal atmosphere to the room. The dining table was placed in the front of the fireplace and laid with a banquet cloth of oyster white. A silver ship that had been stored away was filled with spring flowers on a large oblong plateau of mirror and silver.

The Lenox China purchased in the Roosevelt Administration was used. Sherbet and small cakes were served to the guests aside from the delicious sandwiched, cakes, candies and salted nuts at the tea table. The U.S. Marine band orchestra furnished the music for the occasion. Very few of the wives of members were not in attendance. A number living in Washington for the winter came for the party. As the ladies said, each guest felt a little sad, yet very glad to have been included in the faresell courtesy of the First Lady of the Land.