Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-20
FIRST BIRTHDAY
OF RELIANCE LODGE 0. .. ". CELEBRATED
LAST NIGHT
In an Excellent Entertainment a! The Opera
House, Consisting Of Music, Addresses,
and ReciiaionS

A large aud appreciative audience,
and a programme Of unusual excellence,
we're the factors which made the first
public entertainment given by Reliance
Lodge. No. Is, A. o. q. w, signal
success. The lodge was one year old
yesterday, and its birthday celebration
was one Of the most notable events in
secret society circles for many years.
The Opera House was crowded, and the
audience manifested its appreciation Of
the many good things upon the pro-
gramme in generous and frequent APP
pl ause.
After a pleasing overture by the or
chestra, the lodge sang the opening ode.
The address Of welcome was made by
Hen. T. S. Riley, who spoke in his
characteristic happy style, and was
warmly applauded when be concluded.
A charming vocal number followed,
the solo "Crsole Darkey" by Miss Flora
Morgan. Miss Morgan's rendition left
nothing to be desired julius Hohse
and G. T. Brandfass were heard In a
cornet and trombone duet, which mer-
tied the liberal applause it received.
The address of the evening was made
by Capt. b. b. Dovener. He dwelt
upon the remarkable growth OF the or
der, since its humble start quarter or
a century ago. 1t now numbers in
membership $4,000, with branches In
nearly every State In the Union. This
growth has nowhere been more marked
than 10 Wheeling, where there are now
1900 members, most OF whom have
Joined within the past twelve months.
There is a friendly rivalry between the
local lodges, an emulation without
envy, and Reliance lodge is good ex-
ample of the progressive spirit which
animates the members. The speaker
dwelt at considerable length upon the
lraternal aud beneficial features OF the
order, and closed amid an outburst Of
applause.
The second part of the programme
was preceded by an overture, de-
scriptive cOnglomeration, entitled mig
ger 10 the Barnyard." Ralph Hey
man, a talented young elocutiontst, re-
cited a scene from The Bells" the
"Burgomaster's Dream" His concep-
ton of the lines was admirable, his
rendition artistic and faithful. He
possesses a considerable amount OF
dramatic power "Since my Daughter
Rides a Wheel" was the title OF a
tenor solo, sung with splendid effect by
Mr.. Arthur Geraghty, OF Benwood. He
twice responded to encores, singing
PAROLES on "After the Ball" and
marguerite. Mr.. James 2. Morgan
followed in an elocutiOnarY effort, and
fairly divided honors with Mr.. Hey
nan. This selection was In lighter
vein, entitled "Cupid's Victim"
A novel number was the country
dance scene, in which Hon. A. d. Gar
den "fddled" the familiar old-time
airs, and Mr.. J. A. Weisgerber called
figures for dancers behind the scenes.
Mr.. Garden was inimitable and scored
a decided hit. 1.-THE Wedding Of the
Lilly and Rose" was the title OF a song
and dance sketch by Messrs. John Myles
and Will T. Nesbitt. These gentlemen
were in costume, and interspersed their
selections with witty dialogue. The
number was one of the most pleasing
upon the programme. The next
next number upon the printed pro-
gramme read: "Wellsburg's cOntribu-
ton 20 the entertainment, which gives
color to the occasion" This was mYs-
tifying to the audience, but the signit-
canoe of the sentence was understood
when au eleven year old colored girl
stepped out to the fOotlights and exc
cuted dance with grace which would
have done credit 10 a professional. She
was Jessie johnson, of LazearVille, w.
Va. Part second OF the programme
was concluded with a vocal solo, Love
me little, love me long," by Miss Lula
Geraghty, a~winsome little Benwood
girl. She was perfectly self-possessed,
and acquitted herself very creditably.
The audience insisted upon repetition,
and she received handsome bouquet
Of flowers.
IAN Afternoon in Midway Plat
sance," a humoristiQue fantasia by
Gustav Luders, which never fails to
recall the sights and scenes at the
Worlds Fair, was rendered in faultless
style by the orchestra. The rs-
ing of the curtain for the third
part, revealed pretty stage pic
ture. The performers OF the evening,
and the committee of Reliance Lodge
we're seated in a semi-circe. To the
right was Mr.. T. II. LANCE, who grace
fully oficiated as master Of ceremonies.
A number not down upon the pro-
gramme, but one Of the most pleasing
performances of the evening, was a
harp solo, By Mr.. Robert Fallen, OF ST.
Louis. Mr.. Fallen showed rare prof.
cheney, and richly merlted the applause
which followed his effort. Mr.. W. B.
Day sang "Only Thee" Aside from the
admirable manner in which 1t was rem
dered this number was notable one
from the fact that the words and
music Of the song were
by a Wheeling composer, Mr.. q.
J. Smith, a member OF Welcome Lodge.
The air Is very pleasing. Mr.. Day sang
MARY and her Lamb" as an encore
number The programme was brought
10 a close by vocal selections by Beuter
brothers juvenile Quartette. The young
men all possess good voices, and ac-
company themselves with mandolins
and guitars.
The only thing that can be said Of
the programme by way OF criticism was
its length, but the audience was inter
ested throughout and remained until
the close. The committee 10 charge
was composed OF Frank NJ. White,
Richard Robertson, A. V. Mcdonald,
Ed. Ii. VssS, VIM. II. Shafer, jr., Cyrus