Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-06-07
BANQUET.
A Delightful Farewell to- the
Money Men.
DINE AND DANCE AT TIE TOWER.

Old Black Hawks Beautiful Fort Rings
With aIerriment Last Evening-A Large
Gathering Partakes of Twin City Hospi-
= taIity-The Menu and Toasts.
The banquet and ball rendered the
Bankers association at Black Hawks
Tower by the members from Rock ISL
and and Moline last evening. was Il
delightful and memorable affair. 1t
was n fitting farewell to the finan-
ciers who yesterday afternoon con-
cluded 2-days' session of one of the
largest and most successful conven-
tions of business men ever held
within the borders OF the Prairie
state. 1t was an ideal evening. and
that the visitors enjoyed themselves
was shown in the hearty and appre-
ciative expressions OF the guests in
the flow of oratory which fol-
lowed the sumptuous collation..
The Feast.
At 8 o'clock President Dreyer
raped for order, and Rev. W. S.
Marquis invoked the blessing on the
large gathering. mum boring some
three hundred, which occHpied every
seat in the Inn, where the long
tables were laden with rich and rare
delicacies. Strasser's orchestra. sta
toned on the porch, discoursed
enchanting music, while the guests
did Justice to an elaborate menu,
served in royal style by Krell &
Math and their corps of colored
walters.
Oratory Flows.
The flow of oratorv which followed.
in which our local Chauncey Depsw,
Col. &. W. Durham. was undoubtedly
the star, was full of entertaining in-
ciden:s and mirth provoking orr GIN
atty, such as those called upon were
only able to illustrate.
President Dreyer was sorry to an
nounce the non-arrival of Col. Henry
l.. Turner, of Chicago, who was
booked as POSTMASTER. MIR. Dreyer
stated that he expected Phil Mitchell
to fill the vacancy, but when pre-
vailed upon to preside he said it would
be impossible fer him to speak as his
wife would be present. and his evil
dent dispa:r worked on the presi-
dents sympathy so that he decided
to offer his services. This is a per-
feet garden spot on earth" contin-
ued President Drever, land would
choose Rock Island as the next
meeting place if j. lad my
way" Col. c. w. Durham was
down for toast on "'Bankers. Their
Ways, Their Tricks. and Their Mau-
ners," and he was the first one
called upon by POSTMASTER Dreyer,
who knew the colonel 50 years ago.
He carried three bullets, one in his
head, one in his arm and one in his
foot. He was a tough fellow and a
jovial fellow; he would make all
laugh. and his only fault was in talk
ling toe long. When Col. Durham
was introduced there was a loud
outburst of applause. The colonel's
illustrations of the bankers eharac-
1teristics abounded in wit SO pecul-
liarly his own. when l was Il
younger man wanted to be bank
er, but the experience OF friend di-
verted me from my purpose. That
Young man went into bank and for
three long weary days he toiled
therein. AT the end OF the third day
he quit. l went to him shortly after
aud asked what the matter was.
Durham said he, in a very impress.
sive matter, this banking business
lis not what it is cracked up to
be-there's nothing in it. I'm
sorry / learned it. But l
have often thought that some
time when business was dull and
fishing poor, l would take q
day or two off and learn the banking
business myself" This created
spirited applause. Another little
story which he told: "Some bank
ers excel in literature; for instance
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