The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-03-25
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
AS Celebrated i'm MankatO Thurs
day By The Lovers of
Their Native Land Where
The Shamrock
Grows.
A Large Audience At the Opera
House Thursday Night.

House Thursday Night.
st. Patrick's day was celebrated
Thursday, in this city, in manner
BETTING the day. All day long the
green ribbon could be seen either up
on the hair of some bright and viva
cious descendant of Emerald's isle or
upon the lapel of the coat of son of
Erin. Even some of the horses were
bedecked with the color so dear to an
Irishman's heart. But the incidents
Of the day were simply the beginning,
for as the trains came in during the
afternoon, they brought visitors from
all along the several lines of railways
who had determined to be present in
the evening to listen to the program
at the opera house, after partaking of
the substantial supper in the base
ment.
The tables were heavily ladened
with food prepared by the ladies who
spared no pains to place before the
large assembly such dishes as would
tickle the palate and satisfy the long
ing OF the stomach of the hungry
multitude. At no time between the
hours of 5 and p. M, were there less
than 12O people sitting about the
tables doing justice to the repast.
The young ladies, the older ones
too-stood ready to supply the needs
of the immense number of guests, and
for this they deserve great credit. If
person wanted turkey when chicken
or ham was placed before him, the
pleasant waitress would HE to the
kitchen for piece of ''gobbler."
From the dining hall the people
flocked to the room above to enjoy
the feast of music and speech-mak-
ing.
John F. Meagher presided in his
usual characteristic manner, and did
full justice to the occasion.
On account of the detention of the
orator of the evening, Hon. T. D..
O'Brien, the literary part of the eX-
ercises were carried out first. Each
number highly delighted the large
audience, consequently we will not
particularize. The following gentle
man occupied seats on the platform
either to the right or left of the Pre-
sident; Revs. Father Fox and Pry OF,
P. HI. Carney, M. J. Cuddy, and P. III.
Jordan.
About nine O'Clock Mr.. O'Brien ar
rived and few minutes later was in
troduced by Mr.. Meagher. In half
hour speech talked of Ireland and St.
Patrick's day. He referred to the
famine stricken period and. spoke
of the generosity of America in res
bonding to the call for aid. After
speaking as to certain progressive
periods in Ireland he became eloquent
and in burst of enthusiasm said that
the people of his native soil were fit
to cope with the problems of the age.
These sentiments brought applause
from every part of the house. During
his address he told a numberof stories
that pleased his hearers and created
considerable amusement. The enter
tainment was brought to a. close with
a few remarks by Rev. Father Pryor,
who thanked the people for their pres
ence both in the basement and in
the hall proper. When he said that
he believed the day not far distant
when Ireland would be free from
tyranny, his audience was with him
for it applauded the sentiment to
the echo. As the immense concOurse
of people wendell their way out of the
building, they said to one another
that it had been glorious day. Those
who were present, will remember the
occasion for years to come.