St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-01
Gilmore at st. Louis.

Mr.. Gilmore has just concluded six weeks
engagement with the managers of the great
exposition in St. Louis, which has been so re-
markably brilliant, and contributed so ma
teriallY to the success of the exposition that
the press and people of that city have mani
Tested their gratitude in the hveliest possible
expressions, and finally they raised a purse
of $1,000, procured a baton, the handle of
which 10 of finely wrought gold, the extern
sion of silver, and the band connecting them
studded with elegant diamonds. The St.
Louis Globe-Democrat gives the following ac-
count of the ceremony:
The presentation of gold and silver baton,
ornameuted with diamonds, to Mr.. Gilmore,
at the close of the second part, was the prin-
cipal feature of last nights program. As
the last strains of America" sounded, a COM
pany Of gentlemen, composed of Messrs. E.
o. Stanard, Web M. Samuel, Jerome Hill,
Dwight Treadway, John L. Davis, John jack
son, Maj. Massengale, Joseph Franklin and
S. W. Cobb invaded the part of the stage
scored to the uses of the band. Mr.. Tired
way mounted the soloist's stand and delivered
THE PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Mr.. Gilmore: am glad that our friends Of
the committee, in holoring me with the duty
they have imposed upon me, have given me
task that in some respects is easy of accom-
plishment. 1t is often the case that affairs
of this nature are converted insensibly into
~
both givers and receivers feel compelled by
the necessities of the case to simulate an adj
miration they do not feel, and to resort to
fulsome adulation to atone for a lack of gen.
uine heartfelt sentiment. I esteem my lot.
therefore, happy OLE in the fact that, in
discharging this duty, need do it in no half
hearted or perfunctory manner. 1t is not
an empty, meaningless ceremony that we
now perform to crafty vanity or to convey
merely formal compliments to the detriment
of truth. This baton is the visible emblem Of
the gratitude and admiration of LOG, 600 peo-
pie who, night after night, have hung en-
tranced upon the melody of your igstru-
nents, who have rewarded you with their
plaudits, and whe will ever remember you
and your comrades with lively feelings of
friendship and gratitude. I speak not for
myself, uer for few admirers In this COM
mfttee, but for this vast assemblage, and for
the thousands and tens of thousands who
have filled these seats for weeks past-when
l say, and say in all sincerity, that you have
richly earned for yourself and your COM
panious the good wishes, the friendship and
admiration Of a great CITY not only, but of
the multitudes who have been our welcome
guests in these weeks that are past.
Let us hear no more of Poor old st. Louis. :"
Away with Poor old Missouri" All honor
to the men who have deserved our praise,
and to you who have helped them.
And now, in parting. the sorrow we feel is
tempered by the thought that it is not final
one. We grieve not as those without hope,
for we know that you will come again. and
that our patient waiting will have its glad
fruition in another season of harmony and
melody.
GILMORE's READY RESPONSE.
Mr.. Gilmore said: A friend told me two
or three days ago that this presentation was
to he made, and 1 would be expected to make
a speech. Nothing could have been more cruel
than that No one who knows me would think
for moment that could on such an occasion
think of speech. But if I have pleased you,
I am more than repaid. You have given me
the wand of perpetual youth, have you not
for It enables nae to best time!
In the storm of applause the band began
aud played 'Auld Lang Syne." The baton is
a magnificent piece of the jewelers. art, the
handle being Of gold and the stick silver At
the point OF the separation OF the metals is a
band studded with diamonds. The inscription
is: presented to P. S. Gilmore by his friends
and admirers in St. Louis, as token OF their
appreciation of his services at the Exposition.
Oct, 1885," An engraving Of the exposition
building is upon the end of the handle. The
work was executed by the Mormon & Jaccard
Jewelry company, and they claim that no ba-
ton equal in beauty and Workmanship has
ever been made in America before.