Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-01-19
GRAND FESTIVAL.
Celebration OF FFAnkIin'S Birthday
By THE PRINTERS or THE
State Democrat and Gazette Offices.

State Democrat and Gazette Offices.
"Some things can be done as we'll as 9TH
ers' The printers have had their Festival ;
and there are scores of witnesses willing to
affirm that it was tho most recherche affair
ever given in the city of Davenport. We
do not say so because we are rejudced in
favor Of the craft but we speak from the
record, and have the best authority in our
city to back US. But reader
Would You, would the public like to hear
how the festival happened to be of snch
splendid character? OF course; and we
will proceed to state: Some time since
the members of the Davenport Typograph-
ical Union conceived the idea that it would
be perfectly proper to celebrate the birth
day Of their patron saint, and, accordingly,
appointed committee to act in the matter
to make arrangements with Dr. Burtis for
suitable repast, and attend to other prelim-
inaries consequent upon such an occasion.
Nay it please the public, the same commit
tee did commence their preparations en-
gagged the services Of the inimitable Frank,
of the Burtis House, to "do up" the re-
freshments issued cards Of invitation, &c;
also made some preparations for having
sociable hop, after the supper had been
discussed. This same hop "that was to be-
resolved itself into bone of contention
the question was chop or no hop" but the
majority of the committee reported i'll favor
of such an arrangement; whereupon the
balance Of the Union dissented from the
acts of their committee, and, at a special
meeting voted down their report
This was the signal for open hostilities
The five who were in favor of eating and
dancing both, passed in their designations,
and retired to their offices; re-assembled
around the imposing stone, and like the
patriots of old. pledged themselves, each to
the other. that inasmuch as they We're free
to act and speak for themselves, they could
and ,coula have a celebration, and have it
in Just such manner as suited themselves
have magnificent supper. and have dam
cins into the bargain. To meet .he conse-
quent expense they, to wit, FRED Koors,
B. w. BuRprrr, J. Il. WoopLocK, a. l..
MossMAN, GEO. II. CRANE and w. H. FLINT,
iourneymen printers from the Gazette and
State Democrat offices, then and there sub
scribed such an amount Of funds as would
carry the matter through in such a manner
as they would not be ashamed of. Then
came the working part. Another set of in
vitaticns were printed and the necessary
preparations were made. BY their own
manly and persevering energy, on Monday
evening there assembled at the Burtis
House one of the largest and most inteili-
gent parties We have seen at that place
since the Old Settlers Festival of last year.
A large number of our best business men
became interested in their behalf and came
forth to shed the light OF their connt enances
upon the worthy Printers, and with them,
Join heart and hand in the festivities of the
occasion. After having assembled, an hour
or two of social and friendly intercourse
was had in the parlors of mine host, when
supper was announced. And such a supper
1t seemed as though the combined energies
of all the culinary artists of the city had
been brought to bear upon the prinee'y re-
past that was then laid out on nine
large tables. To give slight idea OF the
amount of eatables with which the tables
were loaded, We would state that there were
one hundred and fifteen different dishes.
sa, ing nothing Of little etceteras which did
rot appear on the bill. 1t was decidedly
fat take. The ornamental cold dishes and
confectioneries was of unsurpassed magniii-
cence. The feature of the table, however,
was the statue of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN This
highly artistic piece of workmanship,
about one foot in height. dressed out in
the odd looking attire of former days, and
fashioned in a very skillful manner into
wonderfully correct likeness Of the States
man Printer, was mounted on highly or
namented pillar of exquisitely wrought con-
fectionery, the front Of which bore the fol-
lowing inscription Benjamin Franklin,
born 18th January. l7O6." On the reverse
side was the American Eagle. bearing aloft
the stars and stripes; while the other sides
were appropriately embellished. This work
OF art is from the hands of Mr. Mathews,
Pastry Cook at the Burtis House, and most
surely does him immense credit.
The other ornamental appointments. such
~ Scott County Court House. Temple Of
Liberty, Harp, and Pyramids, wsrs exceed.
ingly tAstseal and vssy appespsiats to Tie
sssaSisA II hsA svss1 Assaals spsa ~