The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-07-03
r.re~sIl Dinner to Rev. c. A. oliver.

A grand complimentary dinner was rendered
Rev. Father Z. a. Oliver Friday evening last
by a select few Of his warm friends and ad-
mirers, prior to the reverend gentleman's de-
p~arture TO jackson, Miss, his new field Of
labor. The occasion was intended as a mark
Of the high esteem and appreciation in which
the distinguished young divine is held in this
community. The party comprised an even
dozen, and right royalty did the entertainers
subserve the cause which brought them to-
gether. A magnificent repast had been pre-
pared in the spacious dining room Of the "Cot-
tage BY the Sea-" P~akcagoula, under the su-
pervision Of those bon wants, Messrs. 9. N.
Luce, H. N. Plummer and F. n. Benn. The
room was superbly decorated with Gags and
floral offerings, and the table fairly groaned
with delicacies brought from far and near.
After a brief period Of social intercourse, the
kindred spirits were summoned to the festive
board, and betook themselves to the pleasing
task Of ministering to the interior. The din
ner was served In many courses, the latter
being interspersed with conversational gems
and gentle repartee. SEEKING an opportune
moment, Mr.. J. Ira Ford arose,and in a speech
repIete with eloquence, presented to the Rever-
end Father, on behalf Of himself and the other
hosts, . beautiful gcld-headed cane, appro-
priatsly engraved. The inscription was as
follows:
PRKsxSrED TO REV. 9. A.. OLIVER,
BY HIS FRIENDS OF SCRANTON,
JUNE 20, 1906.
The proud recipient, though taken BY surprise,
accepted the gift In choicest language and
most courtly manner. He briefly reviewed
bis social and professional career in this par
ish, and feelingly alluded to the many ties
that bound him with bands Of steel to those
present, and to the neighborhood they repre-
sented. In conclusion he said: "May all the
succeeding years Of your lives be re-
plete with joy and happiness. May every
Spring give you it's freshest flowers; every
Summer, its bslmiest and most cloudless sky;
every Autumn, its richest fruits, and every
Winter its most invigorating days, around a
cheerful fire in the midst Of q happy home,
and in ever increasing prosperity and success"
During the progress of dinner many beauti-
full and appropriate toasts were offered, and
speeches Of a sentimental and reminiscent
character made by the entertainers in turn.
This long-to-bc-remembered feast Of reason
and aow of soul was ~joyously prolonged into a
late hour, though the "foot OF time" was tread
ing so lightly that the hours seemed all too
short.
The following gentlemen, exclusive Of the
honored guest and Mr.. Martin Turnbull, par
t,cipated in the memorable occss,on: Messrs.
p. H. Benn, F. H. Lewis, W. N. Canty, l.. d.
Herrick, j. A. Miller, II. Bloomfield, H. NJ.
PIummer, G. NJ. Luce, J. IRA Ford and DR.. W.
A. Cox.
Il is probably we'll within the truth to state
that no person has ever occupied a wsrmer
Slace in the affections Of the people generally,
than this talented and earnest minister OF
God, whose departure from our midst has
created a void that time eau scarcely ill.
We feel that the expression of regret at the
of the tie that binds, but feebly
voices the universal sentiment Of the com-
munity. He carries with him the best wishes
Of all, and the hope is cherished that happi-
ness, now aud eyer, may be his lot.