The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-17
PRESS CLUB BANQUET.
Mr.. Chris. Evens.n Handsomely Enter


The members of the Old Dominion Press
club and their friends were rendered
most elegant and sumptuous banquet last
night by MIR. Chris. Eyensen, the popu-
lar restauranteur OF this city at his new
ly fitted up cafe, on Main street, mex.
door TO the Dispatch Office. 1t was mo
largest gathering of newspaper men ever
assembled around any festive board IN
this city. The club assembled IN its
rooms, and at II o'clock, the time APP
pointed for the banquet, they ADJOURNED
in body to Mr.. Eyensens cafe. Ihe
banquet nall which was on the second
floor, was most artIstically decorated
with profusion OF American Beauty
roses. Mr.. Evensen received his friends
and quests in his reception rooms with
his usually hosp.table smile and In his
always easy and graceful manner. Nhen
all of the guests had assembled Professor
Stems orchestra struck up hVeV
march. and to the music of the quicken
ing notes the newspaper scribes filed into
the banquet hall and took their seats
The long table fairly groaned Deheath
the burden of its delicacies, when nad
been most laylshly set forth, ana when
were most layishly served. Mr.. EVensen
is a caterer of long experience ana the
highest excellence, and everything that
his ingenuity could conceive OF was SET
forth for the entertainment Of his guests.
From beginning 10 end the banquet was
served with perfect detail. FIRST, thete
were blue points 81 the half smell; theh
there followed an entree or req snapper
lust by way of Introduction TO the sood
things that followed. There were oysters
in every shape, roast turkeys, roast pigs
baked OK tongues, salads galore WIN
TEMPTING entrees without ehd.
glasses
were separately filled with cordals, wines
and clarets OF every description. AT the
conclusion OF the banquet proper the
guests arose and drank standing the
health Of their genial host. Then Presl-
dent Irby, In a few Well-chosen "oFus
and in his peculiarly graceful manner,
arose. amidst rounds Of applause, and
welcomed the assembled ihrong. lie APP
proprlately referred TO the various OH
Gals OF a newspaper. ana 10 the !o"iy
reporter he paid high compliment can
ing him the bone and sinew OF the news
psper." In conclusion he introduced Mr..
Randolph Peyton Noel. who acted most
gracefully as toastmastei'
Inst before the commencement or the
toasts. Mr. w. ID. Chesterman was
gracefully presented with lovely basket
of roses by Mrs. Evens.n. The howers
and floral decorations we're the gnt OF
Nessrs. Hammond and Harvey, we'll
known florists OF this city
The first toast Of the evening was Ine
Ola Dominion Press Club, and II was re-
snonded TO by Colonel W. ID. Cnesterman,
the first president OF the club. Then iol-
lowed 10 the toast The Old Dominion"
responded TO by Mr.. ". :. Copeland.
"rhe Business Office" found its champion
in Mr.. ]. II. Witty. Then followed
toasts fast and furious; toasts TO every
thing and everybody. from the city edi-
tor TO the man In the moon, or from the
REF orter to the Two Lite Girls In
Blue" in fact, everybody at the table,
was forced 10 respond, as the doorSeep-
ers were given orders TO let no one es-
cane.