The herald., 1894-04-15
THE TURNER'S GRAND OPENING.
A Ball and Banquet Given at
Turnverein Hall.
The Verein Trustees Presented With
Key to the Building.
A Great Occasion Participated In and
Enjoyed by All OF the German
Speaking People of
Los Angeles.

| OF the new Turnverein hall on Main
street, between Third and Fourth
streets. was given last night. 1t was
great occasion with the German
speaking people of Los Angeles. The
large and magnificent hall was crowded
to overfowing, and the joyous gathering
was one of the greatest events ever given
under the auspices of the Turnverein
Germania of Los Angeles.
The people commenced to gather in
the beautiful white hall at O'Clock.
The reception committee OF the Turn
verein Germania was on hand to re-
ceive them and soon all the available
place was occupied.
At 8 O'Clock the curtain of the stage
arose, revealing the orchestra of eight
| pieces of the Los Angeles Turnverein.
The orchestra played an opening over
ture and the curtain again hid it from
view.
Again the curtain was raised and upon
the stage stood the trustees of Turn
verein Gsrmania. Mr.. j. H. Kuhrts
then made q few appropriate remarks
and presented the key of the new hall to
President Louis Winter. Mr.. Winter
made q short but effective speech, set.
ting forth the designs aud aims of the
society. and touching upon the pleas
ures and advantages that will be
afforded by the new building OF the
Turnvsrein. Loud applause greeted his
happy remarks.
Louis Gottechalk was presented and
made the speech of the evening. Hs
said that the occasion was one to warm
ha I'D ho TO Of
the German citizens OF Los Angeles. He
said that the society was not religious
or sectarian body, nor political body.
1t was not financial undertaking, but
it was simply a society for the pur-
pose OF developing the mind and
the body. 1t fosters art, literature,
and science and also furnishes a eys.
tematlc athletic development for the
younger members.
Tne Turner's are governed by the laws
of self-respect. Therefore they need no
anarchists or prohibitonists. They be-
lieve in expressing fully their thoughts
and fear nothing therefrom. The first
Turner society was organized in Ger
many in 1911. 1t has grown and epread
all over the earth. 1t has been bap-
tzsd in blood and one OF its leaders waB
martyr in its cause. One of the very
first victims OF the civil war in the
United States in 1861 in the battle at st.
Louis was Turner.
We, the Turner's of Los Angeles, have
erected the building as temple of
liberty. We are citizens OF this city
and this land. We owe allegiance to no
other powers. The building Of this
tory OF Los Angeles. 1t will become q
hat rut nF
later be written OF it. Let this occasion
be happy one. et+fC
At the conclusion of these remarks a
songs to the accompaniment of the Or
cheetra.
The music for the grand march struck
up g. 10 O'Clock, and for an hour before
the banquet the dancing was kept up.
There were 150 couples in the grand
march, which was lead by Mr.. and Mrs.
]. II. Khurts. They presented beau
tiful spectacle, marching through the
figures to the music Of the orchestra.
The banquet was a great feast OF good
things, and the tables, spread in the
banqueting room. fairly groaned be-
meath the weight. For two hours the
banquet lasted and then the dancing
and merry making was resumed and con-
tinued until the light OF the stars paled
with the glory OF old Sol rising above
the eastern horizon.
The Turnverein hall is one OF tho finest
in the city. The color is pure white with
dark trimmings. The floor iB especially
laid for dancing purposea. At one end
is a stage OF good size, provided with
fine scenery. The curtain gives q scene
representing the triumphant return OF
the German prince, Herman, eiter his
battle with the Romans in Furtoburger
Valde, with mis- troops OF the united
tribes OF Germany. 1t is a very beauti-
full and artistic piece of work. The hall
is lighted with incsndescent lights. Last
night the whole was grandly illuminat'
cd, both inside and out.
The banquet tables were laid Tor $50
people, but not one-quarter OF the large
gathering could partaks of the good
things at the same time, and the tables
were cleared and respread many times
| during the night.
Numerous and loud were the words of
praise for the new building spoken
throughout the night. 1t ia character
istic of the Turner's that when they do
anything it is always done we'll, and
when they have anything it is of the
beat. Therefore it was only to be ex-
pected that the building would be fine
one, but not many were prepared to see
such an elegance and magniticence.
A gallery extends around on three sides
of the hall, capable of seating 1000
peopls, and last night it was comfortably
filled with those who care to look on only.
The members of Turnverein Ger
mania wore pretty gold and red badges,
and the reception committee and trus'
tees had other badges to designate them,
Meeting of Eek x-Union Soldiers and Sailors
The ex-union soldiers of Los Angeles
and vicinity have held during the winter
months regular monthly mass meetings
in G. A. r. hall, 6l2 South Spring street
These meetings have no connection with
the Grand Army. They are a sort of free
and easy social meetings at which tht
old boys are privileged TO amuse them
selves in any way they please-tell
stories, sing songs, discuss political ol
any other questions that may come up
The mass meeting Of the series vii
be held in &. A. r. hail. 612 South
Spring street, Tuesday evening, Apri
18th, at p. NJ.
Major Donnell will deliver an address
on some lessons OF the war. The major
is a noted orator and will no doubt give
q splendid address. Several othel
speakers will also give short talks. AL
old soldiers and sailors are invited to at