The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-24
BETHESDA BOYS GALA DAY.
UNION sOCIETY's ANNIVERSARY IN
DER THE OAKS.

Orphannge-One Hundred and Six
Boys Feasted-Rev. James l.. Soul
Iy's Address-The sOciety's Board
of OfHcers-President EsdIPs An
nual Report.
Bethesda never looked better than 1t did
yesterday. The day was typical of spring
with cool, refreshing breezes, and like
last year. there were no sand-fies to an
noy those who are unaccustomed to their
attentions.
Besides the members of the Union So
ciety and the visitors, who went out to
spend the day with the orphan boys, there
was the usual large gathering of ladies
and gentlemen, and those of younger
years.
The City and Suburban railway ran a
convenient schedule and furnished ample
accommodation for visitors. It was no
ticeable that many of the older visitors,
although residents of Savannah for years,
had never before visited the place famous,
as far back as a century and half ago. as
George Whitfeld's House of Mercy"
The stewards dinner to the orphan boys
was the usual feast of good things. The
contributions seemed to have increased
with the number of boys. One hundred
and six boys was seated at the long tables
in the dining room. blessing was ask
ed by Rev. Richard Webb, and then the
stewards and their lady helpers saw that
no boy left his seat until he had his full
share of what there was. The vacant
spaces in the room and the entry leading
to it were crowded with visitors, who
wanted to witness a Bethesda dinner
After the boys dinner the annual meet
ing of the Union Society was held. Pres
ident ]. H. Bstill presided. Vice President
D. R. Thomas, Treasurer John Riley, Sec
rotary w. K. Wilkinson, Managers s. B.
Adams, c H. Dorsett, Thomas Ballantyne
William Rogers, E. f. Low
ell, r. B. Reppard, E. w
Cubbedge, and Messrs. Hugh Logan,
]. S. Collins, A. Kessel, J. B. Fernandez,
Walter E. Coney, A. S. Nichols, George
T. Nichols, A. H. MacDonell, J. H. Quint,
f. e. Keilbach, e. ]. Okarma, Joseph W
jackson and other members were present
The reports of the president, treasurer,
superintendent, and of Superintendent of
were read and ordered to be spread on the
minutes.
The following gentlemen were elected
members: Col. A. r. Lawton and Messrs
j. ". Cell, j. H. Quint, r. p. Purse and
David J. Rosenheim.
The old officers were unanimously re-
elected as follows:
President-J. H. Estill.
Vice Presidential. r. Thomas.
Remuneration Riley
Secretary-W. K. Wilkinson.
The president announced the following
| board of managers: Thomas Ballantyne
S. ?. Hamilton, r. B. Reppard, Samuel
Herman, Samuel b. Adams, E. F. Lowell
c. H. Dorset, E. w. Cubbedge, John r.
Dillon.
Honorary Managers.-Geo. S. owens. r.
D. Walker, G. NJ. Sorrel. VIM. Rogers, R.
E. Lester.
Stewards.-John B. Fernandez, A. S.
Nichols, Walter e. Coney, John Nicolson
Jr., ]. w. Jackson, f. u. Keiibach, A. G.
Merkle, J. II. Furber, A. Kessel, Hugh
Logan. David ]. Rosenhefm
The meeting adjourned to the stand I'M
der the oaks, where Rev Mr. Webb offered
a prayer. The president then introduced
Rev. James l.. Scully, rector of ST. PauPs
Episcopal church as the orator of the
One Hundred and Forty-seventh anniver-
sary. Rev. Mr.. Scully delivered an extern
/
| closest attention by his auditors, especial
ly by the boys of Bethesda.
At the conclusion of the address, Mr.. s.
B. Adams, in a few well chosen words Of
fered the following resolution which was
| unanimously adopted:
Resolved That the thanks of the So
ciety are due and they are hereby tender
ed to Rev. James L. Scully for his highly
interesting and much appreciated address,
and that he be requested to furnish a copy
of the same for publication in the minutes
of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh an
niversary meeting.
President Estill's report shows the con-
dition of the Union Society and it's prop
erty:
Bethesda, April %, 1870 the Mem
bers of the Union Society: 1t affords me
pleasure to report that the affairs of the
society are in fairly satisfactory con-
dition, barring its finances, about which
shall make reference further on in this
report
The expense of maintaining the orphan
house has been materially reduced with.
out curtaing the work of the society In
fact we have taken care of more boys
than ever before. The reduction in the
years expenses may be placed in round
figures at 1000
The improved real estate of the society
is in good repair, and rented to prompt
paying tenants The federal government
still occupies the lower part and one upper
room of the Whitfield building as a post
office, and doubtless will be our tenant
for several years to come. Several other
rooms in the building are rented to good
tenants. The tenant of the Springfield
plantation lots is three years in arrears
for rent. Recently he paid $25 on ac-
count, but the committee on finance ana
property purpose taking immediate steps
TO collect the past due rent.
The matter Of the title to the half of
Tipperary plantation purchased from the
Catholic Orphan Asylum, is still In the
hands Of the attorneys representing both
interests.
The loan to the Savannah and Isle of
Hope Railway Company has been reduced
10 $4,000.
had to borrow 1850 during the year to
meet current expenses. but / am glad to
say the amount has been repaid.
Acting on the sugges ton in my last re-
port, the board of managers authorized
the purchase, and I bought $500 worth of
Central of Georgia railway certificates. to
add to the 500 on hand with which to
make enough to secure another 81, 900 sec
ond preference bond.
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