Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-08-04
A MERRY GATHERING.
Phil Gibson's Office Opened With Due
Ceremony-A Grand Frolic.

CllCCs liz WIN SGlCdA MUMMY uulOuSA
town and country that the massive sand
stone building erected by Phil Gibson
was to be opened with due ceremony last
night. Accordingly the boys were on
hand from all over town and kept up
good cheer until late hour. Everything
was pleasant and informal about the at
fair. Courtney and Simms stood be-
hind the table and soon loaded it with
glasses of sparkling beer. There was a
jar of good old Bourbon also at hand, but
beer was the favorite tipple. Phil Glib
son met his friends as they came in and
escorted them to the table aforesaid,
where they INDUCED in the best Of Mil
waukee's popular beverage. Later on,
when the crowd became larger, the
walters went through the building
laden with beer and sandwiches, which
all found ready patrons.
Of course, there was singing! With
such good voices, mellowed by the beer,
the teys readily burst into song. Atkin-
son, Cunningham, Brady, Dickerman,
Pozninski ,Dodson and other popular sing
ers sang-alone, in duets, in quartettes,
in quintettes and in chorus. The ap-
plause was wild and generous. The
songs were bacchanalian, sentimental, pa
triotic-everything but campaign-for
politics seemed to have no place in this
jolly gathering. All joined in with great
heartiness in the chorus which followed
toast to Phil Gibson, the boys declaring
with one accord:
For he's Jolly good fellow,
For he's Jolly good fellow,
Which nobody can deny"
Sentimental songs, it must be said. were
the favorite. Perhaps this was due to
some spell that rested in the beer, for it
was noted that as case after case was
opened sentiment increased in favor. The
sweet singers sang "Rocked in the Cradle
Of the Deep" without any disposition to
stir from where they were and the "Sol-
dier's Farewell" without any desire
to go skirmishing. 1.-THE Old Oaken
Bucket came in for its need of praise.
"Good Night, Ladies'" followed, and was
rendered with all the ardor of real SER
enade, which probably some Of the sing
ers supposed they were offering to one of
the many fair Juliets who have favored
the town recently with their presence.
There were speeches also made. All
were brief, although, of course, none pres
ent were too full for utterance. Charles
M. Webster and ]. Stewart Tod, fresh
from the inspiration Of the Judith re-
gion, with its crystal streams, emerald
plains and snow-capped mountains, were
the leading orators of the occasion, and
made some good hits.
In general the speeches were very good
and are reflected in the combination
speech appended:
We drink to the health
of Phil Gibson, who is known from the
great lakes to Puget Sound and from the
cataracts Of Great Falls to the Golden
Gate. He represents the North Pole Life
Insurance company, which was never
known to pay loss or omit to collect a
premium (aughter.) In fire insurance,
he represents the Blazing Brand, of Con-
necticut, which I would recommend to
all who have any barns which it, would
pay to burn down. He writes risks, also,
believe that is what they call it for the
Casualty Insurance company, which will
pay you while you continue straight, but
will collect the moment you break your
leg or fracture your arm. This is the ia
vorite company for mothers-in-law, for it
secures them perfect safety during those
domestic cyclones which arise in the best
regulated families" [Applause.]
"Our friend, Phil Gibson, does not
limit himself to insurance. He is ready
to trade buggy OF a quarter section of
land; to tear down an office and build an
other beside it in ten days. He has the
finest collection of -buggies in Northern
Montana and some cayuses Of the true
Hambletonian stock. He intends to build
cataract of his own on the Missouri
that will put the Black Eagle falls in the
shade. [Applause.l
"See what he has done here. He has
abolished the old method of trading by
daylight and has rendered 1t as pleasant
to insure your life or buy dozen lots as
to take drink at Scott Wetzel's or rake
in the pot at Curley Jim's, place I'M
known to most Of you. [Laughter.]
"Gentlemen, while the boom lasts these
pleasant gatherings will be held. Phil
Gibson, the genial Phil, who is all soul;
who, like that fellow of old, whose name
/ forget. turns everything he touches into
gold, will be glad to see you, and if you
look closely you may find a case, a key or "a
demijohn somewhere around, although
he takes nothing but an apollinaris lem
onade himself. Applause.
"Lastly, he is agent for the famous P.
D. Q. line and will dispatch you to Mex
leo or Canada with string of coupons
that will be as long as a necktie. This is
the favorite route of Yellow Eye, Spotted
Bull, Walking Thunder, Laughing Face
and our other friends in the northern res
ervation-a circumstance which Of course
will commend it to your patronage.
Gin conclusion, we will drink the health
of Phil Gibson. May he flourish like a
green bay horse and may his companies
hold out until our policies are paid"
[Applause.] 49,. -Em.. ~M 4