The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-27
AN ELEGANT BANQUET
THE NORTH CAROLINA HOME IN
SURANCE COMPANY.
FLOWING WINE AND SPARKLING WIT
Mr.. Alex Webb, of AsheviIIe, Elected Presi
dent of the Stale Organization. Other
Officers are 10 be Elected
this Morning.
this Morniug.

The present State Fair will go down
into history as remarkable for several
things.
Among them will be the largest gath
ering of insurance men this city has ever
seen There were upwards of I'D of
them here last night
They came in response to call issued
by Mr.. Alex Webb, of Asheville for the
formation of local insurance agents
association.
70 this end they held meeting yes
terday afternoon in the Briggs building.
discussed the insurance field, the need
and benefits of organization and elected
Mr.. Alex. Webb, of Asheylle, president
Of the State Association.
This morning at 8 o'clock the Associa-
tion will meet again to complete its or
ganization and plans, and adopt consti-
tuition and by laws.
One of the pleasantest features of this
meeting of insurance agents, however,
has been the banquet given them last
night at the Park Hotel by the North
Carolina Home Insurance Company, of
this city.
Covers were laid for 125, and nearly
every seat was occupied. For two hours,
form 10 to II o'clock, wine sparkled and
wit abounded.
With easy grace and becoming dignity.
Mr.. w. s. Primrose. president of the
North Carolina Home Insurance Com
pany, presided and acted as toast-master.
On his left sat Mr. r. II. Battle attor-
ney for the company, and its former
president On the right was Prof. O. w.
\ 111 nj
cessful agent
The banquet over. cigars were brought,
the wine glasses were refilled and the
time for toasts had come.
Rapping for order, Mr.. Primrose arose
and said Gentlemen, l bid You, one
and ALL a cordial heartfelt welcome.
agent May his business ever increase
and his premiums never grow less"
The toast was drunk amid great ap-
plause, and Mr.. James II. Southgate. of
Durham, was called for. He made 4
splendid speech in his usual charac-
teristic style-witty and eloquent In
concluding his remarks. Mr. Southgate
proposed the toast: 1.-THE Dear Old
North Carolina Home
TO this Mr.. II. III. Battle responded.
He said the North Carolina Home start
ed from very small beginnings. 1t was
organized in 1869 "In 1871 they be-
guiled me into becoming president. ana
perfect wave of fire passed over .
certain section insured in this company.
But we passed through the crisis and
the North Carolina Home has thrived
ever since. II had not expected to see SO
many insurance men here or so
elegant a banquet. But we are exceed
ingly glad to meet them, and beg leave
to bid you welcome"
Mr.. Pulaski Cowper being rallied for
arose amid great applause: Z" hardly
know what to say, where to begin or
how to stop. So I'll just STOP"
Mr. Ernest b. Dewey, of Goldsboro
was next called for.
whats the matter with Manila?'
somebody asked
IT'S all right and the North Caro-
lima Home is all right" many voices re-
sponded.
Mr.. w. T.. REYNOLDS. of the German
American, said he represented a COM
pany that had been somewhat Of a COM
petitor of the Home and he wanted to
say that they had tonight captured him.
but he had one dying REQUEST to make
and that was il the North Carolina
Home agents found more than they