The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-03
.PLENDID SILVER SERVICE
RESENTED TO RETIRING POST
MASTER HOLBROOK

urprise for the Ex-Chief of the
Complimented by Supt. Coffin
Happy Speech by the New Post
of the Good Work of the Men.
/ MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 1.-The word
Fas whispered among the men In the
.ig federal building today, and by
Vening every man, from the mail
orters in the basement to the superin-
endent of mails in the office, was wait
1g for the event. The committee had
erformed its duty week ago, and the
Xouisite bits of silver were safely
tored away in the vault. 1t was 3
clock when the procession started
rom the building, headed by the Post
ihce band, each member neatly attir-
d in his beautiful new uniform. To
he tune of Marching Through Geor-
ia" the procession, $50 noble men of
Uncle Sans, marched up Nicollet ave-
ue and turned down Grant street to
20. III.
II was the residence Of F. G. Hol-
r7ok, the Retiring postmaster, who,
or the paSI four years, these men
heir friend. Mr.. and Mrs. Holbrook
Fere at come, and. when their atten-
ion was attracted by the music of the
and and they viewed the conceurse of
eopie in front of their residence, they
Fere taken completely by surprise.
1r Holbrook Immediately recognized
is friends, and invited them in. They
altered upon the steps and terrace,
.hile the band played a few of its
hOicest numbers.
Then the event for which the men
ad been patiently waiting took place.
4 b. F. Coffin, superintendent of sta
ion d, had been selected as spokes-
ian, and in a very few well-chosen
lords he presented Mr.. Holbrook a
eautiful silver service of six pieces
IN presenting it, Mr.. Coffin paid high
compliment to the character and ability
If Mr.. Eolbrook, and said that the gift
Feem and regard in which all the men
Hold him. He said that Mr.. Holbrook
lad proven a kind friend to them ALL
is hand and heart always being ready
70 receive them. While he had main
lained discipline, he had not done it
Il the expense of the friendship of any
ne under his jurisdiction. The sight
vas a beautiful one. The men with
ncOvered heads stood before the man
whom they had so nobly served, and
he sincerity of their feelings was man
tested by rousing cheers. The incom-
tng postmaster, Stephen B. Lovejoy,
poke in a happy manner, saying that
le envied Mr.. Holbrook and hoped
hat at the expiration of his term he
night have the friendship of all the en-
loyes as has his predecessor. Congress
aan Lcren Fletcher paid high tribute
o the efficient manner in which Mr..
IolhrOok has conducted the affairs of
lis Office, and the excellent condition
n which he leaves his post. Turning
o Postmaster Lovejoy, ,he said: And,
f at the end of four years the office
not in as good shape. I will turn
'ou out and reinstate Mr.. Holbrook."
The expressions Of friendship and re-
ard so deeply affected Mr.. Holbrook
hat it was some time before he could
ind words with which to speak his
ceilings. He thanked his donors, and
aid that he was one of the proudest
men that lived. He thought he did
hot deserve all the nice things said of
lin, for he realized that, had it not
)een for the loyalty and faithfulness
If every employe, he would not have
)een able to have achieved the success
re has "It is the men who win the
)attles," said Mr. Holbrook, mot the