The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-23

Two hundred and sevcnty-siX years
ago, in 1920, the grim, sturdy and fear
less band of Pilgrims landed on the
Massachusetts coast. They might have
built their fires amid just such Il cold.
checresS ana dreary day as was Yes
terday in Scranton. If 50. last night $
banquet of the New England society
of Northeastern Pennsylvania at tn"
Hotel Jermyn. occurred al an pppurtuns
time and in the midst Of the kind of
weather that opposed but did not dis
courage the small party of prosecuted
emigrants who fell to their knees, gave
thanks To God for their safe passage
across the waters and then proceeded
to inculcatc in the very soil the spirit
of freedom which later proved the pri-
mary foundation of the greatest repub-
lie on which the sun shines.
About the tables in the Hotel Jerymn
dining room there sat one hundred ana
n score of men forming gathering
whose personnel represented the best
and most progressive of business, pro-
fessional and social elements in the
LackaWanna and Wyoming valleys
from Carbundalc to Wilkcs-Barre.
WHAT AN AUTHORITY SAYS.
Concerning the exact date of Fore
Fathers Day, an authority describes it
as the anniversary of the day tDeC.
2l 1920, on which the Pilgrims, or first
settlers. landed at Plymouth, Mass.
annually celebrated in New England
and by New Englanders elsewhere.
Owing to an error in changing the date
from the old style to the new, the am
niversary was formerly celebrated on
Dec. %" But whether the Dist or 22d
or neither, the Scranton descendants of
the stock born from the Pilgrims Ccle-
brated the day properly.
Each year the society, which until
last year, was called the New England
society of LaCkaWanna county, has
succeeded in enjoying a feast more Ella
bOrate and complete in detail than the
banquets preceding. This was true of
last nights affair. Never before We're
there so many present. never were the
decorations so handsome and never was
the spirit of pride in New England
ancestry So great The biggest" man
in the gathering was not known by
the amount of his worldly assets or po-
sition in society; the most conspicuous
and popular figures Were those who
represented the most direct lineage
from ancestors born in New England.
From G:30 o'clock until nearly s there
was n constant stream of members and
guests. Until the banquet began an in
lllldl ltC'plIoU lbbh IlsbCt III Jllt l'l'i
pailors.
When the company filed into the din
ing hall most happy view was present
ed. The interior had been accorded the
most pleasing treatment by the dec
orators and florists.
ABUNDANCE OF DECORATIONS.
The ceiling was almost concealed by
the drapings of hundreds of flags and
La;
and blue of the Republic or parts of
those colors. Each piece of bunting
was of silk. In the draping many artis-
tic designs We're formed. At the south
and north ends of the apartment, re-
SpectiVely We're cngravingS of PTesi-
dent-elect Mckinley and President
Cleveland, and scattered among the
whole effect We're bamboo streamcra.
The work was by Decorator $. j.
Thurman and his assistants.
One novelty in the floral trimmings
was large oval flower bed in the CEN
ter of the room. 1t was of lilies ana
tropical plants with n center of red
carnations. Palms and ferns appeared
in the corners and windows. The floral
display was by Clark.
The tables Were arranged in a three
sided square, the opening being
opposite to the head Of the
table on the Spruce street side of the
room. Bauer's orchestra was stationed
at the end of the opening.
After had been eaten the delicate and
eNcellently prepared menu. the SER
vice of which was perfect, the toast
making period took place. President
h. +. Sturges presided and delivered
the opening address. The speakers and
their TOPICS We're: THE Yankee
Parson," Rev. Thornton a. Mills, Phi
D., of Wilkes Barre, "The Yankees 6
First Cousin" Rev. Joseph *. Dixon,
ID. D.. pastor of the Penn Avenut Bap-
tist church; The Yankees in the East q"
Rev. F. +. Hoskins. of Xahleh. Syria.
an American missioncry who was re-
Gently the guest of Colonel and Mrs.
II. NJ. Boies; "Glimpses of the Past -
lecture-toast by Attorney IA V.
Bower, Illustrated by stcrcopticon views
. and THE Yankee As lie Is in His own
Eyes" Rev. Charles NJ. Gifn. u. d..
pastor Of the Elm Park Methodist
church:
Following is the menu:
Grape Fruit.
Lynn Havens.
tcl Green Turtle.
b., Buchees salpicon
Pommes de Terre Parisienne.
Cucumbers.
Celery.
Olives
French Peas.
New England Punch
Sailed Almonds.
.r,, Cigarettes.
Weisbaden Cherries.
Lobster en- Mayonnaise
BisQue. Cake Fruit. Cheese.
Crackers. Coffee. Cigars
ARTISTIC SOUVENIR.
The menu was contained in one of the
most novel distini tive and artistic sou
venirs ever presented in Scranton. IL
was bound in tim a reminder that the
event was the tenth annual banouet
andFt with blue and buff colored rib
bons. the continental colors. The out
er cover presented an engraving of John
Turnbull. who has the proud distinc-
tion of being the only Colonial COVER
nor at the commencement of the rev.
al fln cnI