San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-15
AN HISTORICAL EVENT.
The Turner's Lay the Corner Stone
OF Their New Hall-An Inter-
esting Occasion.

lldScS duu ou lJoG' III Jue uheCIlou VI
Nacogdoches street indicated that there
was some pleasant event on hand. Ac-
c0rding to program the corner stone of
the splenid Turn Verein building was to
be laid at 5 p. m. BY that hour a large
concourse of people, mostly of our Ger
man citizens had crowded about
the foundation walls of Q the
new building, taking advantage of all the
shade afforded by the adjacent buildings.
The corner stone was all in readiness,
being swung clear of its bed by a derrick.
On its face is an inlaid granite tablet,
with the inscriptions:
SAN ANTONIO TURN vEREIN,
1891,
GREGRUENDET
1865"
In proximity to the corner stone SUBJ
stantial speakers stand had been erected,
and near by was an ample supply of beer
to refresh the guests during the ceremo-
MES.
The crowd did not have long to wait
before the sound of music told of the
coming of the Turner'S, marching from
their temporary hall on Commerce street.
They came with banners flying, and every
indication of JOY and gladnesS over the
event they were about to celebrate.
II
procession, while the three German sing
ing societies, the Beethoven Maenner-
Choir, San Antonio Maennerchor and Froh-
sim escorted the Turner's. Arriving at the
building the ceremonies or rather festival,
began at once. The united singing socie-
ties. under the able lead of Prof. Carl
Beck, sang "Brueder Reicht die Hand"
music from one of the immortal MoZarts'
compositions. The band then rendered a
lively air.
Mr.. Otto Koehler, vice president of the
association, acting as master of ceremony,
stepped forward with the tin case, which
contained the relics TO be deposited, and
made few well chosen remarks, inviting
all present who desired to do so to add any
appropriate relic they saw fit. Several me-
mentos were handed toMr. Koehler but the
most notable and graceful, came from
Judge Julius Schuetze of Austin, who
presented a little bunch of the corn
flower. Judge Schuteze said he made
the offering, the emblem of German unity,
the favorite flower of the old En- peror
Mr.. Koehler then deposited the case in
the vault beneath the stone and the huge
block was lowered to its long resting
place. and the master of the
ceremony pronounced the work
the new edifice firmly laid; blessed
with the hopes and good wishes Of all
present.
The singing societies then burst forth
in glad song.
The articles enumerated as contents of
the case were: A copy of consti
tuition and bylaws Of the
Verein. Copy of all German and
English newspapers published In San An
Austin; list Of members Of the 5. A. Turn
Verein, copy Of charter Of the Turn We're
in, name of the architect and builder, and
a musical composition in German by
Simeon Menger, besides the contributions
made on the grounds.
After the ceremony of laying the cor
ner stone, the platform became the center
of attraction, Mr.. c. Runge, Secretary
OF the Verein, read letter of regret
was detained at home by sickness. Then
Mr.. Runge introduced Judge Schultz as
the orator of the occasion.
Judge SchuetZe spoke without notes, he
was eloquent throughout.
He reviewed the history Of the San An
tonic Turn Verein from its beginning in
1855; thirty-six years ago, the Judge was
the first secretary OF the society, and
he spoke with feeling as he reviewed those
long past DAYS, and called up the memory
of the many prominent Turner's who had
gone to their eternal rest. I'VE were all
young men then, thirty-SiX years ago."
spoke the Judge, land the organization of
the Turn Verein was the first move to-
wards bringing together the Germans of
West Texas; we were confronted with a
political ostrscism In what was
our manhood and rights as Amer
can citizens were brought into peril.
The Turner's met this issue and forced
upon their American fellow citizens the
acknowledgement of their worth, and re-
spect for their intelligence and loyalty to
the country. 1t was somewhat different,
here in San Antonio, to other communi-
ties where Germans had settled, for here
they came in sharp contact with the
Americans and other nationalities, and be
it said, without discredit to more ex-
elusive German communities, the Ger
mans of San Antonio have become
COSMOPOLITAN. The civil war broke
up all assemblages of the Turner'S, but
when peace came the Turner's again raj
lied around their old banner, and reor-
gained in 1865, and from that day to this
there has been no halt in the forward
march of the San Antonio Turn Verein.
And here today we have assembled to
lay the corner stone of a magnificent edi-
flee intended as the future home of the
Verien. Truly we can congratulate our
selves over this suspicious time, remem-
bering with love and gratitude, the
older men who have never faltered
in the work, and entruSting the future to
the worthy sons of Turner'S who will learn
to initiate the virtues of their fathers"
The Judge paid glowing tribute to our
city, attributing its growth and prosperl-
ty to its liberality, its freedom, its person
al liberty and its cosmopolitan character;
no other city in Texas could claim the
proud and independent position occupied
by San Antonio, the home of the most
liberal community of people in the land,
He paid just compliment to the sing
ing societies, who were brothers with the
Turner's in all that goes to make glorious
and pleasant German society.
He paid high compliment to the, Ar
chitect. Mr.. Jas. Wahrenberger. and the