The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1899-01-20
ROYALTY ENTERTAINED
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS BAN
OUETED AT SOUTHERN PINES.

A Brilliant Affair at Which Good Cheer
Abounded-lline Host St. John, OF
the Piney Woods Inn, Again Proves
Himself a Royal Entertainers Jolly
Crowd and Capital Dinner Spread
Mr.. Thad r. Manning, editor OF the
Henderson Gold Leaf who attended
the banquet at the Piney Woods Inn
last week, says this of it and Mr.. ST.
John, manager of the Inn:
That famed Nd favorite habitat
of health and pleasure seekers and
travelling people generally, the rlney
Woods Inn, 'SeaShern Pines. N. G..
was the scene Of brilliant ana
highly enjoyable event Monday even,
ing at which it was the writer's good
fortune to be present. 1t was the
third annual banquet given compli-
mentary to the commercial travellers
by Mr.. Charles St. John, manager ci
the Inn.
There were between 'seventy-five
and one hundred guests, some OF
whom had Travelled hundreds OF miles
to get there-and no one had cause
to regret it, A filter place could not
have been selected. The accommoda-
tions are all that could be desired for
an affair of this kind--and certainly
no more capable hands could have
been turned TO the task OF providing
for and entertaining these or any
other guests. 1t was a genial and
iolly crowd and many were the yarns
told and jokes cracked
1t was 9 o'clock when the dining
room doors were thrown open and
Mr. st. John babe his guests enter
and be seated, The banquet table
was arranged in the shape of cross,
the main portion extending from near
the door along the centre of the floor
well back toward the further end.
The spacious hall was brilliantly
lighted. the table decorations beautl-
full and the service bountiful.
The menu was varied and elaborate
and consisted of eight courses.
Everything was served in the highest
stvle OF the cooking art-each dish
being chef-GGnUre Of its kind, The
spread was sumptuous throughout,
the viands savory enough to tempt an
epicure or satisfy the taste OF a
connoisseur. The wines were dark
and light followed with champagne.
Supper finished Col. +. II. Barclay,
OF the Lexington (Va) Gazette, arose
and called the gay company from the
feasting season and flowing bowl to n
feast of reason and flow OF soul. He
therefore proposed toast to our
honored host Mr. Charles st. John,
whose generous hospitality we had
all so much en- inya1.- Mr. -St-Inap
was then called upon and responded
in short but appropriate manner
expressing in words of cordial well
come what he had so cleverly de
monstrated by act and deed. He
showed himself as apt an after
dinner speaker as he is genial host
and successful caterer to the comfort
and pleasure Of his guests.
Mr. b. c. Pearce, of Sanford,
representing Young, Creighton u
Diggs, Baltimore, was next speaker.
His remarks were brief but full OF
warmth and feeling. Mr.. Pearce
made friends among those who heard
him just as he does with merchants
throughout his territory to whom he
talks the merits of his shoes.
Mr.. st. John then introduced Col.
Z. H. Barclay, of Virginia, who
responded in an eloquent speech
A gallant ex-Confederate soldier who
carries a badge of bravery in the
shape of an empty sleeve Col. Barclay
was qualified to speak OF the mer
who wore the Blue and the men who
wore the Gray--noble heroes all who
did their duty as they saw it-and the
fraternal feeling that now exists be
tween the sections. He paid hlgl
tribute to the followers of Grant anC
Hancock as we'll as those of Lee ant
jackson, and declared that the meI
of 81 to '65 on whichever side they
fought, shed undying lustre OF
American manhood. And that botl
veterans and the sons of veterans arr
ready to defend the glorious Star
and Stripes with equal valor an'
dogged determination the recent wa
with Spain offered abundant proof
Col. Barclay spoke appreciatively o
Mr.. St. Johns hospitality and en-
tainment and his illusions to tina
gentleman were punctuated wit
hearty applause.
DR.. II. G. S. McNeill, OF Pine Bluh
was next called upon. A gentlema
of fine address, kindly face and en-
gaging manner he put the compan
: in good humor with him before h
had uttered word. DR.. McNei
: made humorous speech and set tn
: house in an uproar of laughter.
The next speaker was Capt. j.
Leach, of Littleton. He touche
upon topics OF the war and becam
reminiscent telling a number of joke
at the expense of both "Yank" an
, johnny Reb."
, Mr.. j. Men. johnson, of'Aberdeer
and Mr.. j. r. .Witherspoon, OF Sal
/ ford, both made brief remarks in IT
sponse to calls.
Mr.. st. John then called upon tn
: GOLD LEAF representative. But "
. couldn't make speech. The hor
r was getting late-it was then 1l:3o-
4 and it was noticed that some oil u
. "boys" were anxious to get away. "
4 preferred the good will of our fellow
q (those presently to making speec
= And then we didn't know exactly no
= to address such body. We cou
4 not say "fellow knights OF the grip
a because we have not the honor
q q belonging to the vast army OF COL
y mercial scouts. We could not gre
. . them as brethren Of the quill, b
- cause all of them did not belong
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