The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-11
IN PRATT'S HONOR
Elaborate Banquet Given Lieu
tenant Last Night
AT LADIES AID HALL
Big Crowd of Appre ciative
Friends Present.

Last night at Sons of Veterans hall on
North Main street a reception and ban
quet was rendered Lieutenant c. S. Pratt
OF Topeka, an officer in company G,
Twentieth Kansas volunteers, by the
members of Arson Skinner Camp No. 49,
Sons of Veterans, and Ladies Aid Society
No. &c. 1t was one of the high social
functionsiof the year, and showed just
appreciation which Lieutenant Pratts
friends in this city have for one who
has gone forth to fight for the cause of
his country. The guests began to arrive
at o'clock. The first part of the evening
was spent in a social way and in extend
ing warm congratulations to the young
officer and guest of honor. The hall was
crowded with guests. Tables We're ar
ranged along either side of the hall and
at the west end, forming hollow square,
end at each plate was placed a japanese
napkin with the picture of an American
flag printed in the national colors.
Throughout the social hour and during
the banquet stirring music was rendered
by Professor Milhaupt and Miss Ford,
with violin and piano.
The banquet was a feast for the civil
ian, and what it must have been for the
soldier guest only those who have seen
service can know. The menN was:
Oysters.
Di11-T
Chicken.
Salads. Breads.
Cakes. Fruits.
Coffee. Ice Cream
After the banquet Mr. J. L. Papes toast
master. made an Introductory speech,
sparkling with wit and referring to the
services Of Lieutenant Pratt in Arson
Skinner Camp Sons of Veterans. He
also paid tribute to the boys Of the
Twentieth Kansas, contrasting their rag
ged, disheveled appearance on going TO
the front, with that of other troops, and
egain comparing their services with the
others. His parody on the story of
David and Goliath was hit
Earl ". Evans responded to the toast
'Our Honored Brother" He said such
welcomes were not a new thing Were
common among the Greeks and Romans.
A welcome is especially fitting in this
case, because our brother is one of those
who have assisted in stopping criticism of
Kansas. Americans may be hero-wor-
shippers. Best so. Otherwise they would
rob history Of many Of its noblest deeds
and young men of great incentive He
roes are not confined to soldiers Even
boys may be heroes. Robson was in his
way, for he faced the osculatory ladies at
Kansas City. Our soldiers are heroes,
not because they 80 forth to battle solely,
but because they fight for a principle
He traced the causes that led to the pres
ent war and said the principles involved
were as great as any known in history,
and he was thankful the nation had been
saved from contamination. He paid a :. n
tribute TO the character of the American
soldier, saying that each was worthy t.
command had it been necessary. He
closed with a glowing tribute to Leuten-
ant Pratt and the Twentieth Kansas.
The POSTMASTER, after humorous com
ments on Mr. Evans address, introduced
Miss Shepherd, who feenngly welcomed
Lieutenant Pratt on behalf Of the Ladies'
Aid society, speaking Of the sadness that
came over the society when Lieutenant
Pratts death was reported a few months
ago. and the joy when it was learned that
he yet lived
Next was q witty introduction of D z.
Barnes, who spoke about the new boys in
blue. He had often at these soelals paid
tribute 20 the patriotism, valor and
SIN of the Old boys in blue, and did not
wish 70 retract one word said in their
praise or that Of The noble women who
aidel them from 1861 TO 1860. but a new
set Of boys had come to the front, and
they We're worthy SUCCESSORS to their
sles. He ccn:rasted the work of the sol
derry Of the old world with our boys and
described the superiority of the American
10 their knowledge Of events, and the
pr3Cu al affairs of life He thanked God
that the present war had destroyed the
lat Vist2ge Of. sect:ona'ism. spoke Of see
ms an eN-confe5crate approach the tomb
OF Washington with great feeling and
bow he had read his patriotism in this
acton. In closing he said: In every
emergency someone has risen equal to it,
j. this last emergency. the Twentieth
Kansas had presented q regiment of men
es1ai TO any duty required. and right
nob,y had they responded"
Miss TeXlar rccilel "a short poem in re-
Sponse II her number.
Lieutenant Pratt was introduced, hut
was SO overcome that he could only make
his acknowledgements
Miss Barnes effort was fun Of patriotic
sentiment, and she referred to the humor-
ous-an3 often unjust filings at the stay-at-
homes many of which were Urdeseryed.
Captain Beard talked about the soldiers
sweetheart, each having one 1T every
p'aee the train stopped hut after all. The
wifa or sweetheart was the true iusnira-
lion for every solder Ills address was
eloquent ar1 well received,
Miss Campbell talked about the ideal
hero her Zeal being So lofty ths- lie