The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1886-07-14
WOOL GROWERS AND MERCHANTS
Meet Again at the Festive Banquet Board
Large Attendance and Most En-
ioyabIe Occasion.

The banquet given to the wool growers
bv the merchants of Fort Benton on Sat
urday evening last was most enjoyable
affair. The tables were not set until 10
o'clock, and under the guidance Of Col M.
+. Leaning, master Of ceremonies, the
wool growers and other guests filed into
the immense dining room. Never, even
during the heat of civil war, did the gal
liant colonel lead a more enthusiastic and
determined battalion, bent on doing justice
to the occasion and storming the piles of
good things under which the tables cried
out enough. The storming party sur
rounded the tables, and after few words
of welcome the guests were seated and
commenced an onslaught on the viands
spread before them. After the solids had
been disposed Of the liquids were brought
on, and the popping Of corks was joyous
sound to those assembled. The Colonel,
as president and toast master, occupied
the head of the table, with the new presi-
dent of the Wool Growers association,
Mr.. z. Beach, on his right, and the retir-
ing president, Mr.. A. w. Bower, on his
left.
The first toast on the programme was
'"Ihe president of the United States" to
ed, but for some reason, probably the veto
of the executive which put a quietus On
railway construction in northern Montana,
the toast was not read; therefore the first
toast was ssThe Montana Wool Growers
association which was responded to by
Mr.. e. Beach. -
Then followed "The Press,'' which we
are sorry to say Mr.. l.. w. Peck did not
10 full justice to-
''The Missouri river, the grand artery
Of commerce that reaches to the heart Of
Montana was responded to by A. w.
Bower.
s'The Montana Central and the Montana
Northern railways" was replied to by Mr..
Watson, the engineer in charge Of the sur
veys of the Montana Northern.
"The steamers and steamboatmen of the
upper Missouri" brought Capt Joe Todd,
of the Rosebud, to his feet, who replied in
few happy remarks.
1.-THE wool growing industry of north
er11 NJ called for III very interest
ing response from Mr.. o. G. Cooper, who
reviewed the industry in all its phases.
'sThe women<of the northwest was not
responded to for some reasons unknown.
Mr.. H. B. Hill should have been assigned
this delicate and pleasing duty.
This concluded the regular toasts. The
irregular ones followed in quick success
sion. "The City of Fort Benton was re-
ceived with great applause, and when
Mayor Sullivan arose, his face wreathed
in smiles, the enthusiasm was unbounded.
His remarks were listened to with great
attention.
"Our wool buyers brought Mr.. Saml
Wilkinson to his feet, who in few pleas
ant remarks reminded all of the wool
growers that the wool buyer was God
send to them.
'The City Of Brotherly Love" called
forth response from Mr.. Ben Webster.
Mr.. Webster regretted the lack OF trans
portation facilities and announced that if
the people Of Fort Benton wanted river
the commission men Of the Quaker city
stood ready to dig one, if railroad was
all that was wanted, the Quakers We're
ready TO construct ii. His remarks created
a sensation, and the proposition TO dig
river brought forth uproarious applause
Mr.. John D. Turton was called upon to
respond to the toast, "The Y. 5. signal
service" which he did to the satisfaction
of every one.
Mr.. Geo. "A. Wells spoke feelingly on
the toast, ''The Boston wool Market as
did Mr.. Black to ''The Clagett wool
buy1r."
''The merchants and business men Of
Fort Benton.'' Mr.. G. 10. Conrad was
called upon and said he had no desire TO
break up very pleasant dinner party, and
therefore concluded it was best to say
nothing.
'sThe newspapers Of Fort Benton
Jerry Collins was called upon to speak on
this topic. He referred in general way
to the newspapers, bur more particularly
to the Montana Wool Grower, the official
organ of the association.
The pleasing duty of replying to the
toast, 'sThe ladies Of Montana" devolyed
upon Mr.. w. G. Conrad, but expecting
something of the kind he modestly left the
room unperceivea by the toast master
The pioneer transportation company Of
Montana, the Diamond r, brought Mr..
3. G. Maclay to the front in fine style.
The Polled Angus cattle" was the toast
assigned to Mr.. A. w. Kingsbury. He
rose to his feet, his face beaming with
pleasure upon the assembled crowd. He
Ell infnrmnd tlnnn fhat Ia ~, 1.r1la. IL j i,,a