The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-06-09

}. K. vARDAMAh BAN0UETED,

+" H"oH"AH OANVVIjeV,
Last Wednesday a telegram was pa,
ceived from Major James X. varda
man, Camp Meade, Pa, stating b4
would be home Friday night. A decis.
ION was soon reached by his many
friends in the city that on his return a
banquet would be rendered him in bis
honor. A petition was at once started
by Messrs Sam Gwin and Pink George.
which was soon filled with names and
subscriptions. The arrangements and
getting up OF the banquet was given to
Hotel Reiman. The services of the
Greenwood Silver Band was secured
for the night and when the west bonnd
train blew for Greenwood Friday night
bearing this noble son of Lehore, all
arrangements for his hearty welcome
were finished and scores Of his friends
stood waiting at the depot to grasp his
hand and extend congratulations. The
band also by its sweet music enliyened
the home coming. Major Vardaman
on his arrival vas then driven to his
home where he remained until 9.3O
when he was called upon by il commit
tee of citizens and escorted to the ban.
quet hall. Here he met ard mingled
with his old-time friends whose ey-
changing words and merry laughs were
oaly drowned by the sweet music of
the Greenwood Band. At 1890 o'clock
the doors of the banquet hall were
! lrown open and all were invited to
enter and partake of the rich delicacies
spread before them. About S. entered
and accepted tae cordial invitation.
hon George Wilson, president of the
Bank, was made toast master and
filled the place in a manner that but
few, If any, could excel. Hon. B. G.
Humphreys, out efficient and able dis
trict attorney, was called upon for the
irst toast, his subject was: "The South
and the part 1t took in the Spanish
American war" The manner in which
mastered the subject, and enter.
aimed his guest, one would have
thought a weeks preparation had been
placed on 1t and not minutes as was
actually the case. 1t was a grand eff.
.ort and won for Mr.. Humphreys the
nerlted applause. Mr.. w. 7. Rush
vas next called upon to respond to the
oast of Our women" then followed
y Z. l.. Lomax, on The candidate"
Monroe McClnrg, a candidate for attor-
ley~seneral, THE Delta" and Rep.
S. r. Coleman. America"
zach nude catchy and responsive talks
'hlch caught the merry %banoueters
'n' showed their appreciation by loud
After several renditions of
airs by the band, Toast Master
' lIson arose and welcomed Mr.. Var.
home after paying him many
compliments, called upon him
} respond to the toast, Cuba" Major
arhan'an arose amid the loud applause
I all seated at the tables, which con.
'nned for some time. After thanking
Il present and his many friends who
'd contributed to honor him but were
Dse'it from the honored reception ten
cred him tonight, he told them it
onld never be forgotten by him in
me to come. He then took no the
noan subject and handled it with a
skill. His smooth and
bundled sentences, his shooting stars of
atory' his graceful manner on the
'or' caught the attention of all and
tabii>hed the fact, as several the next
~ who heard his ~s,,eecl, remarked to
THAT he is one of the first orators
the state Mr.. Vardamsn was the
speaker and as the hour Of n was
'~proaching it was decided to partake
axe n cream and peacefully 20
II way, which programme was carried
t. The banquet as a whole, taking
10 consideration the time of orange.
ent, was a grand success and Mrs.
'inian and her daughters deserves a
II share of the credit for. the beauti-
n elegantly prepared banquet
llch they had prepaid for so large a
owd in so short a time.