The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-05-01
A BIG TIME.
Merriment Reignsd Supreme at
the Elks' Social Session.

The Elks had 4 big time last night.
1t was big, however. only in the sense
of innocent pleasure. COL. e. Is. Hay,
of Washington City, grand ruler of the
Natl onal Lodge, arrived in the city
yesterday from Bristol, Tennessee,
where he instituted lodge Friday
night, and IL was determined to mako
his short stay both pleasant and profit
able. He was met at the train and es.
corted to tho Ponce de Leon hotel. At
8 p. no. the Roanoke Machine Works
band rendered him Il com plimentary
serenadc, playing several popular airs.
Col. Hay acknowledged tho compli.
ment in short, but exceedingly appro-
pirate speech. Roanoke was, in several
respects most remarkable city. II had
the best band of music in Virginia, said
he. His visit had given him tho second
opportunity TO testify to this fact, hav-
ing heard it play at Norfolk several
months ago. In all his travels through
this grand and glorious country he had
not visited city that exhibited more
signs of sound and healthy progress and
prosperity than Roanoke. Everywhere
he observed evidences of growth, and
everywhere he had received a cordial
grasp of the hand and kindly word
that indicated q cordial welcome to the
Magic City of the South. He was CRATE
full for the reception accorded him and
would always remember his visit with
pleasure. Roanoke should be proud OF
lodge No. 1877. ono of the strongest
numerically and otherwise in tho South.
AT p. IN. the lodge was called to or
der by Exalted Ruler Col. Frank Korte
who placed Capt. VIM. O'Bricn in the
chair. Tho members formed in process
sion at the suggestion OF Past Exalted
Ruler Woodward and marched past the
rulers chair, when they were introduced
to Col Hay. When he had given each
the grip" he took tho rulers chair
and after a few moments pause began
ono OF tho most felicitous speeches ever
heard in Roanoke.
Col. Hay prefaced his remarks by
happy hits at several members of Roa.
noke lodge, which were much enjoyed,
but when he began serious discussion
of the principles of the order tho closest
attention was paid TO him and not
word WAS lost
lie paid glowing tribute to the Roa-
noke lodges great Christmas treat to
the poor OF the city and said it WAS re.
ferred TO throughout the entire circle of
Elks / n forms Of unstinted praise.
The very name of Roanoke had music
in it and no loved to repeat is. In the
presence of 2.30O people. not long since,
he had paid q merited tribute to Roam
oke lodge and its charity and the pro.
gressive spirit which guided and con.
trolled everything 10 be seen hore. The
opportunity to do this afforded him
pleasure, and hereafter be intended to
repeat this beautiful story OF charity
and progress. In this way Lodge No.
1917 was advertising its home to the
world in way that would bring rich
returns.
Col Hay was. at times. very eloquent,
but no passage in his address If an
hour surpassed his tribute to Virginia
hospitality and the liberality end pro-
gressive spirit of the people OF Roanoke.
The speaker closed his most ad mirable
speech with an urgent appeal to the
Roanoke lodge to build homo FOR it.
self. He ceased amid applause and
cries of Ego on"
few moments later Col. IIav an.
nounced that Roanoke ledge had re-
ceived an accession. intelligence having
been received that the wife OF Esteemed
Leading knight Gt ttys had just pre-
sented him with y handsome boy.
Lunch was announced and The Elks
and invited guests were ushcred into
tho reception room, where Ere d. Weber.
manager of tho SnuLheri. Hotel. had AN
elegant spread prepared, which was
greatly enjoyed. Luncheon over. the
social session again convened, with Col.
kortc presiding. A burlesquc initiation
was gone through with. Glenn Carey,
the colorcd jonitor. being tho victim.