The age-herald., 1898-09-21
BESSEMER RIFLES
 WARMLY WELCOMED
On Their Return to the Marvel
 City Yesterday Afternoon.
BANQUET AND BOUQUETS
Furnished by Mothers. Wives, Sisters and Sweethearts to the Heroes-Bes- semer Was Gaily Bedecked
 With Flags and Buntings.

Bessemer, September 20.-None of the he- roes of Santiago received a warmer well come than did Company H, Bessemer Ri- fies on their return this afternoon.
 For week past preparations have been under way for the reception and banquet rendered them by the ladies of Bessemer today. Though the entertainment was os- tensibly by the ladies, their husbands, brothers, fathers and sweethearts lent gen erous assistance in time, labor and money
 Early last week a meeting was called, which was largely attended by represent atve gathering. Mrs. l.. H. Lopez was chosen permanent chairman, and the fol- lowing executive committee appointed Mrs George H. Stevenson, Mrs. Golson, Miss Lulu Judson, Rev. w. R. Ivey, Mr. E. H. Lopez and Capt. G. D. Waller.
 Numerous other committees were appoint ed, and every one went to work with will to give the boys q royal welcome.
 The Rifles came aown this afternoon at o'clock, commanded by Capt. T. T. Huey, and accompanied by Major Mcleod, com manding the Second battalion; Capt G. M Tumlin, commanding Company D, and Lieut.. Lawrence E. Brown, first lieutenant ana duJulaHI NiiO SoilAO e'S the guests of the company. The Rifles found the streets filled with people, who greeted them with enthusiastic cheers Red, white and blue met the eye on every hand and a beautiful arch spanned Third avenue at the intersection of Nineteenth street. Whistles were blown, bells rung and cannon boomed a welcome. A recep- tion committee, composed of Messrs. w. h. Perkins, William H. H. Judson and Sam Rosenbaum, met the company at the dum- my depot. They were also met by the com pany's sponsor, Miss Ollie Golson, and her two maids of honor, Miss Hortense Hous- ton and Miss Lou Perkins, and by members of the confederate veterans, with ther sponsor, Miss Matte McAdory, and her maids, Misses Bessie Spencer and Kate Giles, the young ladies riding in carriages gaily bedecked with red, white and blue. The regimental band accompanied the boys, and with music playing and ags fly ing all marched to the city hall
 The large hall presented a beautiful spec tacle. The walls and pillars were elabo- rately and artistically decorated with the national colors, while the long tables, s1read with white cloths, were laden with meats. fowl salads, sandwiches, )eiaes, fruits. cake and innumerable other good things, and profusely decorated with HOW CTS and palms. At each plate was oou- tonniere. Ices of all kinds and hot conee were served. ,oa
 After the men had taken their piaces prayer was offered by the Rev. w. K: lVey, chaplain of the company, and was lo!io"eu by a brief address of welcome by Mayor John T. NcEnery. Feasting was then III order. the men being waited on by the ia- dies of Bessemer. Towards the end ol 'he honouat there were eloQent addresses or thanks by Major Mcleod, Captain Huey. Captain Trimlin and others. while cheers that shook the building oits foundation were given first for the people of Bessemer and then for the officers and praVates ol Company H. After the banquet the Rifles gave a drill and then repaired to the arm ory, where for the present they disoanded'
 It is safe to say that no returning com pany has received a more enthusiastic well come than Bessemer gave the Riiies tooaS'