From The Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck, North Dakota) June 3, 1954 

DUNCAN SISTERS SAVE CAVIAR AND CHAMPAGNE BLOWOUT
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$30,000 PARTY ALMOST A FLOP

HOLLYWOOD (AP) -- A couple of millionaire newlyweds tossed a $30,000 party Wednesday night that almost died -- until one of show business’ greatest sister acts took over.
   Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gilliland threw a party to celebrate the beginning of their second month of marriage. They bought out the Mocambo, one of Hollywood’s fanciest night clubs, for 300 guests at $100 a plate. It was a sedate affair, as Hollywood parties go, until the Duncan sisters, long-time friends of the bridegroom, got the oil-rich crowd jumping merely by starting off with a rendition of “The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You”.
   The finest imported champagne spouted in a steady stream from an iced fountain. The hungry guests ate pounds and pounds of caviar that retails at $28 a pound.
   Gilliland is an oilman from Gilliland, Tex.
   His wife is the former Elsinore C. Machris, widow of George L. Machris, owner of the Wilshire Oil Co. She reportedly sold an interest in that firm recently for 17 million dollars. She and Gilliland were married May 3 at Las Vegas, Nev.
   Asked how it felt to spend $30,000 for a party, Mrs. Gilliland replied,
   “I think it’s wonderful. People should do this more often.”

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010