Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-10-06
NINETY YEARS OF AGE
Temperance Unions Celebration
of the Anniversary Of Miss
SempIe's Birthday.
MANY GLOWING TRIBUTES PAID
Appropriate Exercises at the
I. Headquarters No. 100 West
Eighth Street.-The Aged
Woman Visited by an
Organization of I
Colo ed /
People. {

y o or q
People. r. {
Friday was a great day with the
| Woman's and Young Woman's Chris
| tian Temperance Unions of Whining
| ton, the occasion being the anniversary
| tea and the celebration of the Goth
anniversary of the birthday of Miss
Anne Semple, who was one of the first
| presidents of the w. g. 7. u. and who
for about 80 years was engaged in
humane work. The exercises incident
to both events took place during the
| afternoon at the headquarters of the
organizations, No. 100 West Eighth
street, and were decidedly pleasant
and interesting. Notwithstanding Miss
Semple's advanced age, she was present,
and, although exceedingly modest in
her demeanor, was delighted and so
expressed herself.
The anniversary tea is an annual
occurrence, and in view of the fact
| that Miss Semple has been SO closely
identified with the work for SO long, It
was deemed fitting to celebrate her
Goth birthday in connection with the
anniversary celebration.
| q AhD tCNolioadi 5Giflttc, WhlCu were
conducted by Mrs. r. Matlack, were
very impressive.
| An opening solo was sung by Miss
Mary Poole, who was accompanied by
| Miss Miriam Webb, and was an ex-
ceedingly creditable effort for both of
the participants.
One of the features of the occasion
was the reading Of an original paper
by Mrs. Lea Pussy, who, referring to
Miss Semple as an esteemed and
valued friend, both having been asso-
ciated in the work for the organization
for years, told of Miss Semples life
and the value of her services to those
with whom she had worked and the
fields in which her labors had been
directed, referring especially to the
| w. G. I. U. Miss Semple's work was
reviewed and the results of her efforts
were detailed in pleasing and enter
tanning manner. Mrs. Pusey told of
her long and continued service in the
W.. 20. T. u. and described how faith
fully she had served on the board of
managers Of the Aged Women's Home,
months ago. Mrs. Pussy knew from
personal experience, also being a
member of the board.
The paper was followed by an ap-
propriate poem, by Whittier, which
had been selected by Mrs. Pussy and
was read by Mrs. A. ID. Warner.
Miss Emma Lore sang a beautiful
selection, which was also extremely
appropriate to the occasion. She was
accompanied by Miss Eva b. Taylor.
Miss Lore also read O poem which
had been selected by Miss Belle Semple
OF Philadelphia, a niece of Miss Anne
Semple, who had come from Boston
for the purpose Of attending the exer
, cises.
, Miss Emma Worfall read an interest
ing paper on the work of Miss Semple.
| Mrs. Benjamin Nields gave an
account of Miss Semple's work in the
J 9. P. G. G. and S. P. G. A., and
! drew attention to the fact that Miss
Semple was interested not only in the
sdirection of aiding and improving the
: condition of humanity, but also fol
the,welfare of dumb animals.
Mrs. A. III. Berlin presented Miss
> Semple with a handsome growing
! palm, on behalf of her white ribbon
: friends, and in making the pre-
I sentation Mrs. Berlin made few re-
+ marks, in which she drew a mora
3 from the gift She said Miss Sempl,
: could look upon it growing with
t great deal Of satisfaction, as sh,
would realize that 1t needed neithe
4 alcohol or strong drink to stimulate it
but that it would thrive best on, pur,
water and sunshine.
Other floral presents. were made b,
n Mrs. Benjamin Elliott, Miss Hannai
h Pussy, Miss Annie T. Hilles, Mis-
t Elizabeth Hilles, one of the bouquet
4 consisting of 80 beautiful La Franc
q roses.
! The room was handsomely decorate,
v with plants and other ornamepts;an,
e the tea was served by the ladies' of tn
J. organizations. Many were present an
q the occasion was thoroughly enjoyable
i The contributions were liberal
Is During the afternoon the colere
I w. @. I. u, which was.a Meentl
# organized, and which has Very war;
n feeling for Miss Semple, called sinq
d body and paid their respects to the oil
= lady.
,r After the many kind things ha
ii been said about Miss Semple, sh
n arose and modestly remarked: ~ ar
n not worthy of it, She was assured
however, that she was worthy of a
that had been said and much more
and all present personally congratr
M lated her upon her long life and til
q most excellent use she has made of il
Is They hoped she might live to see man
ia more anniversaries. She had war;
Ia handshake for all.
T. Miss Semple is unusually well pr,
o. served. She is in fairly good healt
a and is in excellent spirits. She is
!. native of this city and her name hi
n been associated with humane work I,
III more than half century, and h,
ne worth is almost beyond estimation
1e She lives at the Clayton House. F,
Ia the past two years, on account of h,
e. age, she has been unable to active
: participate at the meetings of I'll
organizations with which she is idel
titled, but takes an interest in all th
lie is done and is consulted on all in
A. portant matters. She received mar
3 gifts at her rooms yesterday and befo
ty evening they were converted into
re- perfect bower of flowers.