Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-02-02
A Genuine Surprise Birthday Picnic.

William Tmboden, of Kaolin township,
Iron county, Mo-, was born on the tract Of
land on which he now resides January 18th,
1929, and consequently was fifty years
old on the 18th of the current month, 1888.
1t is as near truism as may be suggested
that Mr.. Imboden is esteemed to be one of
the most worthy citizens in his community,
and one of the most popular as well. He,
literally, has "troops OF friends" and no en-
emies. The occurrence of his fty-ninth
natal day gave an opportunity for his neigh
bors to tender him and his excellent wife
manifestation of their good will and good
wishes on the occasion, which they did by
giving them a surprise visit, accompanied
with sumptuous and lavishly gotten up
surprise dinner. Roast turkey and other
poultry, boiled ham and other meats,
handsome variety of breads, which would
have done honor to the skill of Vienna
bakery, pies of almost amending names,
cakes and pastries too numerous to men,
ton by name, fruits, fresh and canned, veg
etahles, etc., etc., graced many well-filled
baskets and made the dinner tables fairly
groan again. The large party present evil
IDENTIFY had leaning toward local option, as,
while coffee, chocolate and tea (Which cheers
but not inebriates) accompanied and made
part of the festival, there was no appearance
of wine, beer or any other alcoholic stimu-
lants.
Among these self invited and heartily
welcomed guests We're Mr.. aud Mrs. John C.
Ruddock, Mr.. John G. Imboden and family
(Mrs. 1. being abseut in Reynolds county,,
Mr.. and Mrs. j. II. Campbell, Mr.. and Mrs.
Lewis Ruddock, Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Camp
bell, Mr.. and Mrs. John w. Luty, Mr.. and
Mrs. VIM. Webb, Mr.. and Mrs. Luther st.
Clair, Mr.. VIM. Ruddock and family (Mrs.
r. being at home sick), Mr.. and Mrs. VIM.
Hart, Mr.. James Monaghan Ga bachelor Of
76) and his ''best girl" Mr.. and Mrs. Emmett
Imboden, Mr.. Latt. Matthews, Misses Irene
and Annie Matthews, Miss Edith Seitz, Miss
Emma imboden, Miss Stella Imboden, Mr..
j. G. Ruddock, Jr., with a good peppering
of youths and juveniles. Some forty-flve
persons partook of and did honor to this saw
DRY and tasteftllly cotton up surprise birth
day dinner and did ample justice to it and
the occasion. Everybody not only seemed to
| enjoy him or herself, but actually did so,
and after spending some four hours or more
i'm dining and pleasant and varied 'conversa-
ton, all wished their surprised host and
hostess return Of many such anniversaries
| In the future, and with hearty and heart
| felt "good-bye," all departed for their sew
eral homes. This was a genuine surprise
birthday visit, as neither Mr.. or Mrs. limbo
den nor any member of their family five in
number) had an inkling of what was about
to take place, until the unlimited guests be-
gah to encroach upon the family. 'Sally
what is in that basket"' inquired Mrs. of Il
married daughter, who was the first to ar.
rive. sob, Something" was the unintelligi-
BILE answer. "'Charlie' (Charlotte) Camp.
bell, where are you going:" was second
inquiry. Nowhere; we're not going at all
We've come to stay" was "Charie's y
prompt and sententious response. SIT looks
to me as if there was going to be a picnic
somewhere" said Mrs. I. SIT does look so,
said the imperturbable "Charlie." "Boys
what does all this hub-bub mean?D asked
Mr.. |. of guest In the ante-room. "Can'i
tell" said the guest. "How old are you
Mr.. Imboden" asked another. "How old:
Let me see, Jim; I am fifty-nine to-day
This is my birthday" said Mr.. I. "What
are you fifty-nine to-day?" asked the iron
faced protector of the surprise. "Oh, you
you know my age as well as I do myself
You're at the bottom of this 7" exclaimed Mr.
lmboden. swell, boys, this is genuine
surprise to me. But you're all welcome: SC
Jet us have good time of it," he continued
Aaa everybody had good time of it. And
Mr.. imboden's birthday visit and dinner
were "genuine surprise" TO him and his
lhousehoid.