Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-25
THEY HAD PLENTY OF TURKEY,
The Great Dinner Yesterday in
Arm0ry Hall.
Over Twelve Hundred People Eat
Their Fill.
Incidents of the Occasion The Women
Who Had Charge of the Affair.
Somesof the Guests of
the Public.

"This is the grandest thing in Lo
Angeles today" remarked gentleman
yesterday at II O'Clock, as he stood or
the threshold of the Armory hall, ant
viewed the $50 people seated along the
tables stretched in the large room, en-
joying dinner that was in every way 8
feast, that had been spread for them by
the Pacific Gospel union of this city
And it was grand thing and noble
one, too; the noblest, in fact. that has
ever taken place in this city; and well
may all those persons who helped to
organize the affair, whether in a great
or small capacity, felicitate themselves
upon having accomplished an act which,
from the happiness and gratitude that it
has caused, will take high rank in the
galaxy of the noble works of the year.
There were seven parallel tables run
ming the entire length of the hall and
three emaler ones at the end. On all
of these was placed everything imagina-
BILE in the way of edibles, and here and
there were bouquets of flowers, while at
each plate. the Junior Endeavorers had
placed dainty bouquet with a text of
scripture attached.
The musicians stand at the end of
the hall bad been tastefully decorated
with smilaX, chrysant hemums and green
plants by the Senior Endeavorers, who
had also decorated the rest of the hall.
Music was furnished during the meal by
the Delano Guitar and Banjo club,
assisted by Mr.. G. III. Merry, the
mandolin player. But nobody could
hear the music; they came there to eat
and did not have any time to SPARE to
listen.
Long before the doors were to be
opened the stairs and hallway were
crowded with throng of people, both
old and young, white and black, male
and female, who had come to partake of
the good things which they knew waited
them on the inside.
Promptly at noon Major Hilton or
dered the doors thrown open to the ex-
pectant crowd, who filed into the big
room. In the twinkling of an eye
every seat was occupied and many per-
sons had to remain standing awaiting
their turn at the tables.
A verse of the Coronation hymn was
eung by the entire crowd. after which
Major Hilton asked the blessing and
then they pitched in.
There was one waiter to every IL
plates and one lady in charge of each
table. The war that this corps of will
ing and bright young ladies went to
work was a caution. They were the
most perfect personifcation of the word
ubiquitous of which it is possible to
conceive. Up and down the rooms they
went, some bearing pitchers of hot,
steaming coffee, others with plates
heaping with hot turkey, chicken, pota-
toes, oysters and everything that was
good.
No one was neglected, every one had
all they could eat. The people came in
droves, whole families at time, while
wagons from the country carried peopleto to
the hall. There was always some one
standing at the door to see that every
one was seated. The minute that any
person entered the hall he was met by
some smiling young lady who treasured
him with her pleasant greeting and
caused all embarrassment to disappear,
and showed him TO seat at the table,
where he was served.
To those who had left sick relatives at
home, basketful and bags full of good
things were given to take to the absent
ones. Every one went away carrying an
apple. piece of pie or cake, nuts or
something. II have eaten and eaten
until can't eat any MORE" was the
universal verdict.
At the end of one of the tables sat a
little boy labOring with big piece OF
pie. He sat swinging his little legs and
looking the most perfect picture OF con-
tentment. Near by sat two colored men
who were going through the bill OF fare
from the top to the bottom. Across the
table were two old Spaniards enjoying
the American art de cuisine. One Of
these old fellows could not speak one
word of English, but when he had fin
ished his dinner he went up to one OF
the ladies who was seated at a table
near the door and made quaint cour-
tesy, muttered "Dios la bendiga" in
his native tongue, and filed out OF the
hall.
One old countryman after eating all
that he could stood by the door talking
to a policeman. "Well," said the old
fellow, 81 heard about this dinner this
morning and came up to see if it really
would be a regular down east dinner.
and, sir, I'll tell you, it's the best one |
have ever had since l left old New Eng
land years ago."
Down on the sidewalk the men stood
comparing notes. sob! 60 on up" said
roughly-dressed fellow to another
man, they've got piles of pudding, pies.
turkey, chicken, and everything that's
good, all for nothing, too"
After the latter had returned from the
hall, the first speaker accosted him:
"What did tell your"
1T was way up, you betW he de-
clared.
A crowd OF little ragged newsboys and
street arabs stood, open-mouthed and
Halls Hair Renewer ENJOYS the confidence