The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-05-02
A BRILLIANT AFFAIR IN THE
FERGUSON HOUSE.
JOHN L. WILLIAMS HONORED
Mine Superlntendents, Foremen and Other
Omcials From all Parts of the County
Tender Him Banquet and Present
Valuable Testimonials.


Union Coal Company with headquarters at
Shamokin, was rendered royal surprise
on Saturday evening by large number of
district superintendents, mine foremen and
other officials connected with coal mining
operations in this and other districts. AT
about 8 o'clock District Superintendent
William Broughall and j. j. Bradigan
waited upon Mr.. Williams at his residence
on South Jardin street and informed him
that his presence was desired at the Fergu-
son House. This was the first intimation of
the surprise in store. hr Williams &C.
companied the committee to the place
designated expecting to find some of his
friends there waiting to extend him their
| we'll wishes, but upon entering the large
dining room of the hotel he was almost
dazed by the scene his eyes fell upon.
Upwards of ninety mine officials arose in
his honor as he stepped into the room and
before him we're tables prepared for an
! elaborate banquet. Mr.. Williams was led
| to a central point of the room and formally
announced by Mr.. Bradigan, after which
seats were resumed, Mr.. Williams being
assigned to table at which Supt. Elijah
Gregory, of Girardville, P. J. Ferguson
and others were seated. Thomas L. Will
Jams, the father of the honored guest, was
among those seated at the table. This
venerable gentleman is close upon eighty
years of age To him the affair was the
realization of one of the fondest hopes oi
his life.
| Supt. Gregory was made master of cere-
monies. He responded to his election in
the following terms: 81 consider it al
honor to preside over this large gathering
of men. intelligent men; men of expert
ence; men who were once boys whose occu
pations were at one time attending doors ol
switches in the mines; men who started lift
in one of the many occupations afforded Il
boys in the mines, or in the breakers, anC
have now attained by their industry ant
perseverance,, positions of trust and grea
responsibility"
Mr.. Gregory spoke for several minutes
during which he gave expression to the re-
gret felt by the gentlemen in attendance
over Mr.. Williams departure, and supple
mented the sentiments with assurances o
the good will and hopes for success that the
honored guest would take with him.
Mr.. Williams was then presented with
testimonial in the fern of an expensive SO
of mechanical drawing instruments, elf
from the gentlemen present, as a token o
their esteem.
Mr.. Williams was deeply affected. MINI
Inspector William Stein gracefully accept
cd the testimonial in Mr.. Williams be
half.
Another testimonial in the shape of
handsome watch charm was presented il
behsl of the Bear Ridge colliery foreman.
Mr.. Williams accepted this personally by
saying feelingly, II thank you"
!. After the close of the banquet, whicl
was an elaborate one and excellently
served, the parlor was thrown open anC
Mr.. Williams received the congratulation
and we'll wishes of the large gathering
There we're no speeches, or other formali
ties. Cordial hand shaking and exchange
of courteses took their places The guest
present were: O. e. Titman Shenandoah
Samuel Platt, Bear Run; BENZ Church
Shenandoah George Beck, st. Nicholas
Joseph Reese, Lost Greek d. II. Lauder
man, d. H. Sterner and John Senior
Shenandoah; James McCabe, Mahano,
City Arthur 4. Jones, Mshanoy Plane
James Foley, Shenandoah Ralph PIatt
| St. Nicholas John Holland, Mahano!
City William Thickens, Shenandoah
William A. Phillips, John Hinkle, Will
lam j. Gregory and David w. Price, Ash
land; E. Wolfgang and William Rauden
bush, Locust Dalei T. j, Edwards, Ash
land Charles j, Beach, John Hyler and
William Brown, Elengowan William
Witchey, Mshanoy City John Evans
Ashland David Fulton and Thomas G
Howells, Girardville; William T. Davis
Locust Dale Jesse Major, st. Nicholas
Edward Mates and William Richards
; Boston Run Gotleib Sheath an
: John Flynn, Mahanoy City; Pete
Schaaf, Joseph Whitehouse and William
Graeber, Shenandoahi p. f, Brennan an
James p, Mcdonald, ST. Nicholas; job
Il, Davies Gilbertoni George B. Hadesty
Ashland; Thomas Lawrence and Mslaci
Delaney, Bear Run; Andrew Crawfor
and John Klein, Shenandoah; David MOI