St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-20

brating is completion. Success 10 the great
west Very truly yours, J. Il. MAxoS.
From Cyrus W. Field:
NEW foRK. Nov. I'M. Cyrus W. Field
has tAe hoaor 70 acknowledge the receipt OF
The invitaii1u 81 the citizens Of Minneapolis
to tire banquet to celebrate the formal open-
ing oi tie West hotel, aud regrets that i'm
poTialt engagements prevent his acceptance
u the same Mr. Field has on two occasions
stopped al the West hotel, and has the pleas
ure Of stating that he las never been better
served in am hotel ia any part OF the world
Letters % regrets were also received from
the general manager Of the Louisville & New
| Albany aud Chicago railroad company, from
Moses Burseyn and the B. B. company, Chi
cEgo, fnm j. II. Bristin & Bro, proprietors
OF the Gilsey house, New York, and from r.
J. Baldwin, Minneapolis.
II was not until 9 O'Clock that the doors of
the banquet hall we're thrown open 10 the
guests and they began to ill in. Meanwhile
the Fort Smelling Military band had been
( playing in the exchange As soon as the
doors were opened the superb Danzis orches-
ira, having been stationed in the alcove of
the dining hall, struck up the first reminder
OF an elaborate and classic programme.
! The table de eartes were superb beyond
description. They consisted OF floral dis
plays in pyramids and most beauteous
I bouquets The tables were artistieaIly
strewn with choice ivy or Madeira
vines running from end to end.
The pyramid constructed OF eonfections was
wonder Of ingenuity. On the center table
was large hurdle with horsemen mounted
on snowy white coursers INDUCING in q reg
ular old fashioned steeple chase race, the
whole adorned with flowers and evergreens
and surmOunted by large oriental cup, also
made from confections. In the center Of
the center table was arranged pyramid con-
structed exclusively of wild birds, and in
Guiding almost every variety known, and it
capped by proud peacock, and so the de-
seription might be continued at great length.
There were four long tables placed
parallel with the hall, with another table
ranging across the end.
Considerable time was spent in seating the
guests, who numbered upwards OF 400.
THE BANQUET.
The banquet was the most sumptuous ever
had in the west The elaborate menu.
consisting Of thirteen courses, included ali
the choicest delicaeies obtainable, and re-
quired many weeks time in securing them
from all sections OF the land. In addition
10 the delectables dished, which would de
light the palate of the veriest epienre, and
which was eminently fit for the Olympian
gods, came the wine service so
elaborate and. eonsumate, including
all the costlicst brands, and
must have been calculated for Bacchus.
The menu was printed upon heavy satin Of
the finest quality. Some were olive and
delicate shade Of pink. Those of olive were
handsomely printed in blue Ink, and those
on blue in red ink, and the whole was
M tod
photographers, and in the center in gold had
been printed a cut OF the West Everybody
admired the bowsry Of house-blooming and
foliage plants, which occupied the balcony at
tue extreme end of the hall. The speaker
occupied the table which ran across the ends
of the hall, and which was slightly elevated
by platform constructed for the purpose.
Z. W. WILSON'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen: During the construction Of
this magnificent building, certain citizens
desired to express in some tangible manner,
their appreciation of the county being
poured out by Mr.. Chas. w. West, of Gin
einnati for the benefit of Minneapolis. A
beautiful vase was ordered TO be made, and
it was expected 10 have banquet such as
this, that ii would be graeed by his presence,
and that here in this room, on such an oc-
Iu.
as testimonial OF the gratitude OF our city.
The banquet is here with all its eIegence,
the vase is here with all its beauty, but the
great reaper has been before time in his
harvest, and gathered into immortality the
guest whom we would have been sOdelighted
honor.
1t seems but yesterday, that he was among
US with his cheerful face, whose genial smiles
neither age nor suffering could subdue:
with his brave generosity and
his tenaeity of purpose, which ex-
penditures that would have appalled,
another could not change. But his three
score years and ten had been passed, and an
in scrutabie Providence saw fit to end life
Of good works.
''When heart whose trulh was proven,
Like his. is laid in earth
There should q wreath De woven,
To tell the world his worth.
Starting from the poor circumstances of
youth, acquiring by the labors Of long aud
active life large fortune, he was gloriously
free from vice OF averiee, Too often the
affection of opulent old age, always gener-
Gus. always foremost in the charities OF the
city Of his home, his generosity increased
with bis years, and Cincinnati bears mind
ful testimony to the princely gifts Of his
latter days.
bis last great business enterprise was the
construction of this hotel. He proposed to
make il what il is, without a super
Tor on the face OF the globe. 1 call
il business enterprise. With him it
was more than that. OF capable business
capacity, he did not expect such 4 structure
10 DC paying investment upon the capital
necessary for its construction. He wished TO
give Minneapolis aud the northwest a hotel,
that both they aud he can be proud OF. It
WAS the devotion of part of his fortune to
an object that would give comfort and pleas
ure To many thousand who would live after
him. II was hnt IN accord with what seemed
the main motive Of his life, 10 contribute to
the happiness OF his fellow man Like
"Abon Ben Ademn his name viii be written
in letters Of light among the highest on the
roll.
We have but his memory with us; and yet
II his will could be expressed, he would not
wish that memory To cast shade of sadness
over our festivities. He would not have his
recollection 'sit like skeleton at the feast"
He would desire toe same enjoyment as II
personally present
But let US turn to the living Associated
in this great work was the nephew
of the deceased, Mr.. John T. West,
now sole proprietor. The object of affection
In HE he has become the recipient Of bounty
in death. Upon him was devolved the
completion and maintenance Of this ''King
OF Caravansaries. +"
The gentleman now sits before us. Mr..
West, am directed TO present to you this
vase. intended for your most worthy uncle.
While IL would hgye given US great pleasure
20 thus express 10 him our gratitude, be now
understands our feelings better than we
could have told him, and we now venture
you this expression OF our good will. We
appreciate the part YOU have taken in the