The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-18
AN INFORMAL HOBNOB
HUNDREDS OF ENDEAVORERS
FROM MANY STATES
Entertained With a Reception at the
Chamber Of Commerce Last
Evening

The chamber of commerce resembled
nothing so much as sardine box last
evening. That is, as far as room was
concerned, for the Endeavorers COM
menced to arrive for the reception by
seven o'clock; by eight it was almost
impossible to move about; and by nine
breathing room was at premium.
Standing at the head of the stairs at
the Broadway entrance stood President
Charles Forman, Secretary Frank Wig
gins and ten or twelve others of the re-
ception committee giving everyone
hearty Southern California welcome and
directing him in the way he should go
to the left instead of to the right, but
there was no Interior motive in that ex-
cept to keep the crowd all moving in the
same general direction.
Others of the reception committee
were scattered about exhibition hall an
swering questions telling-stories and
otherwise entertaining the crowd.
Through the suite of directors rooms
that had been made particularly gayanll
festive with American flags and c. L.
banners, with potted plants palms, and
beautiful flowers, were scattered the
members OF the ladies' committee, who
were also doing all in their power to
interest ard divert the visitors. And it
was not a hard task for anybody, for
jollier, happier, more delighted throng
of men, women and children it would be
hard to find anywhere except in some
other crowd of eastern people at another
gathering in Los Angeles.
The Christian Endeavorers have not as
class the reputation of being hard
drinkers, consequently the way the lem
onade disappeared last night must have
been a silent testimonial of its virtue
Two barrels inside of three hours, and
the young ladies who presided over the
bowl worked in shifts; that is, they took
turns in serving. The ladies committee,
Miss York. chairman, were: MINES. j.
NJ johnson, Ferguson and Merrill;
Misses Lord, Messerly, Guiwits, kirk
patrick, Kate and Hattie Morford, My
rick Lockhart, Williams, French,
Crabbe, Samuels, Kennedy and Dick.
The gentlemen who assisted President
Forman and Secretary Virgins were;
Messrs. Orme, EstermauX, Pridham,
Nedig, Mathers, Crawford, Byram,
Gould, Forester, Gephard, Godin, How
and, Boutiller, Newberry, Merrill, John
son, Conant, Campbell McGarvin,
Munson, Sinsabaugh, Sessions, Gould,
and Dr. S. S. Salisbury.
Stalking majestlcaliy about with q
sang froid that was admirable in view of
the heat, and nonchalance that was he
roic considering that it was literally I'M
der everybody's feet, was the turtle AR
izone," bearing triumphantly on his
back the well known G. e. monogram in
letters cut out of white paper, made big
enough to just fit his shell and fastened
carefully to it with paste. 1t was the
biggest monogram in the room (and
there were hundreds there) and it
aroused universal interest and as near
envy as is allowed to penetrate the
breast Of Christian Ilndeavorer.
About o'clock a short informal pro-
gram was opened and the C. e. hymn
Sunshine in My Soul Today" was sung
by the whole audience. Immediately af-
forwards Leonard Merrill, president of
the State union, introduced the Rev. NJ
Rhodes, who offered a prayer, and then
followed speeches of a couple of min
utes each, which were full of enthusiasm
and good cheer, a little exchange OF
pleasantries between President Forman
who welcomed the visitors to California
and to the chamber and told them the
latchstring would be out for them all the
time they are in the city; Charles l..
France of Toledo, o., who spoke for the
other Buckeyes. and Rev. Ira O. Ian
drith of Nashville, Tenn, and chairman
OF the committee of 1898, both of whom
said many particularly cordial and
pleasant things about the state of Cal
ifornia and its people.
AT the conclusion OF the program the
rest of the evening was given over TO in
formal hobnobbing by the hundreds that
were present Badges from many diff
ferent states from Maine to San Diego
were to be seer and old friendships were
renewed and new ones were commenced.
1t was an evening of interest to the
strangers and hosts alike and the pleas
ure was mutual, if appearances are any
indication.