Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-01-22
THE WHEEL CLUB BANQUET.
over 100 Members Enjoy Fcosting, Mu-
sic and OratOry.


With viands rare for the dedication of
the inner man, with music to conduce to
harmony or to soothe the sensibilities,
with oratory stimulating the pride and APP
pealing to the reason, the Vermont Wheel
club celebrated its 18th anniversary on
Monday evening. Over 100 members gath
cred at the club rooms and at s 20 marched
to the Brooks House and were soon i'm pos
session of the dining room. This was the
first notable gathering in the dining room
since it became respendent in new deco
rations, and the celebration had been post
poned several weeks in order to make the
occasion a sort of dedcatory recognition
of the enterprise of Landlords Crosby and
Adams.
Before seats were taken the entire COM
pany joined in singing America, at the re-
quest of the chairman OF the committee of
arrangements, w. IL. Childs. Then began
the feast, and ample justice was done to
the several courses. The Old Kentucky
concert company colored quartet that
came from Boston through the generosity
of Mr.. Childs-sang during the banquet in
the melOdious manner peculiar to their
race. After the courses had been served
and the cigars lighted Mr. Childs raped
to order and introduced Col. II. +. TAYLOR
as POSTMASTER. Col. Taylor at once turn
ed on the eloquenCe, and during his re-
marks referred tOuchingly to the illness of
Maj. f. w. Childs, who was the toastmas-
ter last year. Col. Taylor introduced Rev.
g. o. Day as the first speaker. Mr.. Day
made several facetous references which
put everybody in good humor, criticised
the state coat of arms good naturedly, and
then recognized the sterling qualities for
which Vermont has been known
Anthony Schwenk responded eloquently
for "Windham county," praising its nat
ural scenery, and touching upon its histor-
ic record. The first settlement in the state
was here, the first printing press in the
| state was set up at Westminster, the first
American play was written here, etc.
Schwenk dwelt at some length on the shed
ding of the first blood of the Revolutionary
war at Westminster, and repeated the stir
ring lines from William French's tomb
stone.
G. II. Thompson in answer to "Brattle-
boro" spoke of the needs of a develop
ment of mercantile interests, of the meth
DDS of development, and of the part that
the club might take.
Col. Haskins spoke at length on "Legis-
| lative experiences. His remarks about
TEN of representation brought out warm
applause. He spoke of the fact that Bur
| lington, Rutland, St. Adams and Brattle-
boro, with over 10000 population, had no
more representatives than Somerset, Balti-
more, Brunswick and St. George, with
less than 400. Col. Haskns spoke very
Interestingly of his personal experiences,
and of his attempt to get bill through
the last legislature compelling railroad
companies to carry bicycles as baggage
W. II. Bracket responded humorously
for "The present" and after creating mer-
| riment by his references to various mat.
tiers connected with the club spoke of the
excellent place which the club rooms fur
nish for spending leisure hours, and urged
| the more frequent attendance there OF
some of the members.
w. II. Henley recited with dramatic eff
feet parody in German dialect on Poe's
Raven-"Twas the beer, and nothing
more"
w. +. Hubbard's toast was "The future -
In the beginning he spoke of what might
be portrayed if the widest flights of fancy
were INDUCED in, and ended with what the
club might really expect to attain, and thu
need in the future for more general coop
Grafton in the clubs undertakings.
DR.. II. d. Holton paid graceful tribute
to "The ladies" and quoted statistics tC
show the healthfulness of bicycling for the
gentler sex.
Col Hooker was called upon TO RESPOND
to "Good citizens" He put the tables in
a roar, as a matter of course, praised tn,
personnel of the club, and told what /
might accomplish in state legislation ant
municipal affairs through working unitedly
"The possibilities of the nerry-go
round" was a subject which gave +. G
Crosby an opportunity to talk about al
electric railroad to Hinsdale and North
field, as well as the possibilities of electric
ity in Brattleboro in case dam is bull
across the Connecticut.
The toasts were interspeTsed with song
by the coored quartet, and at each plat
had been placed the words of several of tn
popular airs like "Just tell them that yol
saw me" 1.-The sunshine of paradis
alley" etc, and the company joined i
the choruses, The Wheel club sextet ais
contributed to the enjoyment, Fred Swift
acting as accompanist. At the suggestio
of Rev. Mr.. Day, rising vote of sympath
and coincidence was extended to Maj.
w. Childs and the secretary was directe
to communicate il to him.
The festivities closed with singing Aul
Lang Syne, in which all joined. Many c
the members returned to the Glib room
and pleasant hour was spent there, tn
colored quartet enivening the occasio
with two or three selections.