Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-27

full palms Of many varieties transformed
the reception room into a tropical grove,
| amid which, during the early part of the
evening, stood Karl Decker, who was
deluged by his friends with congratuIa-
tons. Within the banquet hall there was
a blaze of light toned down by massed
verdure on walls and tables. The hand
somely frescoed walls were almost hidden
by a covering of smlax, ivy and other
vines. Banked everywhere were evergreens,
and on the table were great punches of rare
roses. About Karl Deckers plate there
was a mat of choice orchids.
Cuban Emblem.
From the wall in the center of the room
| and shining brightly over this scene CT
| beauty was emblem in electric lights.
specially designed for the occasion. Its
most prominent feature was radiant star
glowing with the colors of the Cuban
patriots-the star OF Cuban independence.
Above this shining orb were the words
Cuba Libre,' made of colored electric
lights, while formed in the same manner
and overlapping the emblem of freedom
| was 4 great American shield between the
draping of the American and Cuban flags
the whole topped by golden eagle with
outspread wings.
About Ole hundred banQueters sat down
shortly after O'clock and for two hours
discussed a menu conspicuous for its ar
ray of choice viands. and in artistic lines
as well. In one course the dishes were
served in form to represent the Cuban
flag. Rare wines added to the flow of wit
and good cheer
If there had been a doubt in the mind
OF any one about the purpose of the gath
ering and feast it was dissipated when
the toaStS were reached. 1t became evil
dent that Karl Decker, the newspaper man,
the unassuming hero of chivalrous en-
terprise,. was the central and almost only
Inquire of the occasion, yet the wife, who
had waited silently at home while her hus-
band was rushing in the face of fate was
Kept uppermost in the minds of the BAN
queters by the many references to her. A
NEST delicate compliment paid her
when her health was proposed and drunk
standing 1t was suggested also that every
one OF the assemblage should select the
choicest flower near them to form a hon
quet for Mrs. Decker, and q mass of bloom
was soon gathered and dispatched to her
home.
Mr.. McSween Presides.
Mr.. Angus McSween the chum of Karl
Decker, was master of ceremonies, and 1t
devolved upon him to escort the guest of
honor to the banquet hall. Those who
joined in the festivities were c. c. Adams,
W. E. Annin w. H. Allen, c. A. Boynton,
Col. Richard j. Bright, c. K. Bergman
A w. Butt H. j. Browne, Louis Bargen,
w. r. Bell, Scott c. Bone Hobart Brooks.
A. Blanchard, Walter B. Barker, Amos ].
Cummings, N. T. Crutchfield, Fred Craw-
FORD, +. Cuthbert, Daniel Curry, c. c. Cor
bin, G. w. Campbell, H. w. Carpenter
John w. Drew, R. NJ Dobbins Deorge w.
Decker, NJ G. Downing, William Dickson
Arthur English. w. A. Edwards. Fred A.
back. Louis Garthe. J. H. Graham W. R.
Hearst, James c. Hooe, S. B. Hege, John
Hussey, F. H. Hosford. c. A. Hamilton,
Z. NJ Harwood. Franklin T. Howe, Max
Il II
70. johnson. Philander johnson, James
Kerr, Fred ]. Kelley, Henry G. Kemp,
M j. Kahn. c: E. Kern, G. w. Kingsbury.
Alfred Henry Lewis W. E. Lewis, Richard
Lee. E. J. Lockwood. A A. Lipscomb, c.
H. Mann, John w. Mitchell, Charles Mer-
illat. III. L. Merrick. O'Brien Moore Joseph
S Miller. D: Mullaney. John P. Miller.
Edward A. Moseley. F. P. Morgan, George
E. Miller, c. K. Macnichol. Justin McGrath,
Ar gus McSween. VIM. w. McIntire, A. B.
M Mcsween. Frank B. Moves. H: B. Nesbitt.
O'Connor, C. S. Pearson, Harry n Price,
Clifford Rose. c. H. Ridenour, Donald
Rockwell, William Ryan. w. G. Sterett,
Richard Sylvester. E. B. Smith. John L.
Sturgeon, E. c. Snyder. Cory NJ. Stadden.
H. n. Thompson. w. R. Teller, ]. H. Tally,
J. :. Van Antwerp. Beriah Wilkins. Cliff
Wilkinson, Albert Wamsley, NJ. /. Weller.
Cabel Whitehead.
The Scene Photographed.
As the banqueters took their places at
the tables flash-light photograph was
taken of the scene. A band stationed in
an adjoining corridor discoursed music
while dinner was being served.
When the end of the menu was reached,
ard coffee and cigars were brought on, Mr..
McSween introduced Mr.. H. L. Merritt
who was made POSTMASTER of the evening
Representative Amos ]. Cummings, an
old .ew spaper man of New York city, was
the first speaker called upon. He recount
ed instances in which newspaper men had
taken their Ives in their hands to perform
difficult tasks, and placed the act Of Karl
Decker In the foreground Of such hazardous
exploits Karl Decker's act. he declared
was one that would force the United States
to recognize Cuban Independence. Every
reference to the rescue was greeted with
rounds OF applause. and when Cuban in