The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-09-16
THIRD OF A CENTURY OLD
SARSBIELD GUARD OBSERVE THEIR
 THIRTY-THIRD BIRTHDAY.
Notable Meeting nt West Haven-vet- Numbsrs-Many Felicltous Speeches Concerning the Historic Command-Cap- tain WeIles Remembered.

The thirty-third anniversary and banquet of the Sarsfields was held last night at the West Haven house, Savin Rock, and was attended by over one hundred and thirty active and veteran members of the organization. Every thing was done to make the meeting a thoroughly successful one, and veter- ans and actives alike contributed to the evenings pleasure. Proprietor Judd provided for the party a fine shore dinner, which prepared the way for the literary and musical programme of the evening.
 At a rather late hour Sergeant James Cook, president of the Veterans asso- citation, which gave the celebration. rapped the meeting to order and called the attention of all away from the din- ner to the toasts. He warmly welcom- ed all to the celebration in the follow ing words:
 Officers and Members of the Sars- field Guards and Guests-It falls to me
 
 to bid you welcome to the thirty-third anniversary of our company. l am sorry not to have speech prepared, but I bid you thousand times well come to this anniversary"
 The address of welcome was made by F. J. Cronan.
 The following responded to toasts "Connecticut National Guard'-Lieu- tenant Kenna.
 Active Sarsfelds"- Donovan. "Veteran arsfields"-Daniel Colwell. "The Irish Soldier''-M. A. Reynolds. Second egiment"-Captain Welles. "The United States"-J. J. Brennan. Ladies"-Lieutenant Lafiin.
 Two recitations by Thomas Cox were heartily received, as were also solos by Riley E. Phillips and Thomas Ahearn. The responses to the toasts were all excellent and were heartily applauded. Two whistling solos by F. c. Williams also added much to the evenings en- joyment.
 The meeting closed with singing the Star Spangled Banner"
 Captain Donovan presented, on behalf of the actives, a handsome silver tea service to Captain Welles. He said in presenting it: Captain Welles, it is my pleasure to present to you token of the appreciation of your service for the company Six months ago, when the Sarsfield Guards were reorganized. many of us knew little of military du- ties and discipline. It became your duty to command us, and we showed you every token of respect due to your position. You came to us as stran- ger In recognizing the company we found you possessed of good judgment and tact. The respect we felt from the first deepened into friendship strong as bands of iron.
 "We desire to show you some appre- citation of our esteem and friendship in presenting this silver service. May it be a continual reminder of the esteem the Sarsfields bear you" (Great ap- plause.)
 Captain Welles responded as follows: "I don't know what to say in reply to the many complimentary things Cap tain Donovan has said about me. can say this one thing. When I took command of the sarsfelds I promised to do the best could. did not always do all things that desired, but did the best I could, and kept my promise. This testimonial of friendship has touched me deeply. I have received without exception kindness from veter- ans and actives alike. This testimonial Of your kindness shown to me will be treasured by me as long as l live. Not so much for its intrinsic value and rare beauty, which are sufficient to make it treasured by any one, but for the kind ness behind the gift. l am sure small never lose my interest in this company. + 1t succeeds, as I see every reason for its doing, I shall rejoice. Of possible failure I will not speak because I do not think 1t possible. I don't think 1t has any such word as failure in it's vo- cabulary.
 "Gentlemen, thank you from the depth of my heart for this testimonial of your appreciation" (Applause.)
 A rousing three times three was giv- en for Captain We!les by acttves and veterans alike.
 Among the veterans present were: John H. Gibson, J. H. Gililgan, Ser geant B. Tiernan, John Fl. Foster, Col. T. F. Callahan, ex-Captain J. J. Ken nedy, William A. T. Smith, Matthew Flaherty, John McQueeney, B. Healy, Hugh McKeon, W. J. Ryan. John Gar rity, jr., ex-Captain Creed, P. E. Dar- san, David J. Cummings, Daniel Ca hill, ex-Lieutenant Lynn, ex-Captain tSarrity, Thomas Reyes Thomas Rourke, Joseph Carroll, Michael Kenyon. H. Fin negan, J. Finnegan, Joseph Carroll John Hylard, John Hogan, Timothy Breadon, T. F. Ahearn, John Healy, John F. Mc- Grail, John Ford, Edwin Campbell, Dan- jel Reynolds, Edwin Flynn, David H. Kelly Thomas Birmingham, Thomas Mulvey, Henry Cunningham, I. J.. Brennan, James Hennessy James Me- Gowan, Frank Gaffney, William Bohan.
 Among the actives noted were: Cap tain Donovan, Lieuts. Kenna and Laf- lin, John Welch, Richard Welch, Wm. McShara and Maher, Corporals Donahue, Flanagan, Spier, Higgins, Me Namara and Cunningham, Privates Bo- han. Reynolds, Ed. Smith, Phillips, Rafter, Healy, Sweeney, Cashman, Blu chanan, Walsh Cronan, Noonan, Ma rooney, McHugh, G. Norton, J. Norton, Snencer William Plunkett CIeary