Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-27
PRESIDENT CHARLES r. CRAIG.


PRESIDENT CHARLES r. CRAIG.
and almiration. The occasion was the
second anniversary Of the organization
of tre club
Th. marked precision with which every
detail was carried out was especially
Noticeable and added to the interest Of
ue happy and festive occasion.
TIE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
At . o'clock the exercises opened with
on address by Mr.. Charles r. Craig,
president Of the club. who spoke with be-
coming grace and ease. Mr.. Craig said:
Ladies and Gentlemen,-It becomes my
pleasant duty, as president of the Laurel
Literary and Athletic Club, to welcome
sou TO the seconlNanniversary celebration
~ our organization, and l can assure you
I is with "a Keen sense Of qualification
that ! now have the opportunity Of so
doing 10 is not often that our rooms
are graeed by The presence OF the fair sex.
and for reason Of the infrequency of their
visits among us. n none other, we can
1,st recognize and best appreciate this
rare occasion
ono year has passed since we were
gathered on a similar eyent-an event
. which has been marked with a white
stone by us in our calendar-and ere
this ycar-ths leap year was ushered
So aud substantially initiated, some OF
our members have escaped the bachelor
cate and crossed the Rubicon into the
realms OF welded bliss.
Bot. young ladies. we still have some
excellent material remaining from which
10 select. and possibly before this same
tVontful leap year rs recorded In the an
mails of the past some other Of our MEM
bers will have gracefully followed our col
leagues most ihustrious example.
STRONG WHEN UNITED.
When our club WAS organized more
than two years since, IT was predicted
Us some wise SolOns that it would not
exist three months; but then the wisest
N as err at times. Even astronomers
Rth their gigantic glasses who look out
through space and see things coming
rom afar make slight mistakes, and the
sonnet that we looked for never came.
Sc are Ike the prOvcrbial bundle of
sticks iu the old story-weak If sepa-
'atei but strong when united-and that
.lll ~ unity which has pervaded our
membership. and which runs like a gold
'1 thread through the wool and warp OF
.lr past experience is the secret Of our
harmony and success.
Al, you perhaps know. the fundamental
principle on which our club Is instituted
tt. Characteristic wholesome ness Of its
-o..I Of innocent and unalloyed pleasure
within It's walls, that possibly would
have been spent elsewhere, and in places
Of 40 least more questionable nature
vi, hey rot members OF our organiZa-
hon-u this at least. we have accom-
l.sh,i some good.
ln conclusion. ladies and gentlemen, al
ov We. ] beg. 10 extend 10 you most
'orlia. welcome. and 10 assure you that
"e are happy 10 have you with US this
Evening go. therefore, try. II possible,
Co make ourselves feel al home. for
n beng the home OF the Laurel Club it
8 yours. and at your disposal
An INFORMAL RECEPTION
81 tae conclusion Of the address by
tlo president several musical selections
We're rendered. while an informal re-
f-.tor was held. The Manchester Man
'Hln H.l Guitar Club was present end
h.-f't.i tine company with several Sc
TONS which We're so tempting bat
t'rai couples used the billiard-hall as
ballroom and waltZed to the soft
strains OF the music. The ladies ceemed
t4I.H'.y Interested in the fixtures OF the
t,ots quarters. and examined care
iiy the decorations and furniture Of
lN. c.lo-rooms Their extreme taste
'..4 however. offer no objections TO
'l' beautiful rooms placed in such neat
'ii'f iy masculine hands. and one in
80 asreed that the rooms were complete
a ae.r garb.
THE BANQUET.
40 1880 o'clock the entire party ad-
fntl 90 the banQUet-hall where a
mos, slmpiuous feast had been prepared
tl caterer Trevilian.
Ihe table presented a beautiful sight
with ls white and green decorations.
al ihe conclusion Of the supper. winch
was served In the most elegant manner
'ar postmaster. Mr.. c. Burleigh Ander-
H Introduced Hon. H. 4. Maurice.
'ailr " the city, who responded TO the
...I toast OF the evening, Wncn was on
"-'ot hester" Mr.. Maurice spoke of
~. natural advantages OF the city, The
'Neency u It's government, and officers.
tn- closed mis- speech by referring 10
oi> reputation for peace. and the
..'r shown by its people for the place
ile nativity The Mayor was
heartily appauded
Judge John n. Ingram. was introduced
lhe next speaker, and responded to
-e toast ITO the Ladies'" Judge In
riam spoke In a beautiful and joval
manner and closed with a reference
'' ,.e new woman. which brought forth
l,.i' Of laughter from the merry crowd.
"i htn. L. owen, Jr.. responded to
' idst toast Of the evening which was
"lf Club" The speaker gave a brief
a.oiy OF the organization. and referred
t"' OBJECTS or the club. Mr.. owen
one In complimentary terms OF the
''ofs. and expressed the pleasure Of
'e g1o In having their company.
THE GUESTS.
Among those attending the celebration
"rfe AIRS. J. Il. Walker. Mrs. J. Morton
graves. Mrs. y. 5. Smith, Mrs. John
1Hrien. MTs. W. r. Beattie. Mrs. NJ. q.
Iurpiu; Misses Meta Nelms OF Peters
Jug. Nellie Bargamin. OF Richmond: Car
&c and Marie Sims Of Richmond: Allie
Marks. Of Baltimore Md Lizzie Rogers.
Lille May Baird. Elise Taylor. Eula Holt
ia Brands, Bessie GIL Alma Owens,
Lizzie Graves. Cole Lowell. Maude Clay
ion. Emma Cox. Florence Evans. Lucille
~ brlen I-ottie Evans. Minnie Jones, and
Alice Jeter.
The gentlemen were Judge John H. In
gram, Mayor III. A. Maurice, and Messrs
Ben. Z Owen II Iohn d, Erien. Andre w