Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-02-23
THE WASHINGTON CLUB.
Thirty-Third Anniversary Held AT hotei
Bslding, February 2e-New Mem
bers Initiated.

Thirty. Third Anniversary Held AT hotei
Bslding, February ae-New Mem
bers Initiated.
The Washington club which is one OF
the best social organizations in exist
ence in this part OF Michigan and which
had its birth 33 years ago at the rural
home of Mr.. and Mrs John Ashley, In
Oakfield, held its anniversary at Hotel
Bedding Wednesday with ninety-two
members present. The clubs member
ship is limited TO one hundred and
the quota Is kept full, as fast as men,
Der drops out by death or withdrawal.
Sixteen persons were present at the
memorable first meeting as charter
members and six of these were present,
John Ashley and wife, OF Oakheld,
Norman Putney and wife, OF Easton.
Mrs Alanson King, of Ionia, and Mrs.
Henry Green, of Grattan.
President Fred A. Washburn called
the meeting TO order with appropriate
remarks at one o'clock and after prayer
by Rev. b. V. Child the welcome song
was sung and an address OF welcome
given by E. b. Lapham, responded to
on behalf of the club by w. b. Wells,
of Greenville.
G. G.. Merritt, of Greenville, the
efficient secretary read the minutes OF
the last meeting and made reports of
the years doings of the club in detail.
Four members have died during the
year, Edward Middleton, Mrs. g. Il.
Slawson, VIM. Lessiter, and Frank
Adams, the latter of Dakota. Memoir
ials OF the two former were read by
Mrs. G.. G.. Merritt and Mrs. ID. K.
Black, of Greenville, and Major E. G.
Watkins gave a fine eulogy on Frank
Adams, and a memorial song was sung
to their memory by the club.
After dinner which was one of the
best spreads which mine host Hether-
ington is famous for setting up on spe-
cial occasions and which was enlivened
with an orchestra, music and song
was rendered by Misses Agnes Spencer
and Kittie Smith accompanied by
piano, and violin by VIM. Dygert.
Then followed the presidents annual
address, the election of officers, report
of Goat Keeper Fred Ranney, who had
that ancient and honorable animal in
charge for a year and who reported
him in good condition, which was after
wards found to be true when needed
for the ceremonies of initiation.
The initiation of eight candidates
took place at seven o'clock in the Opera
House and Hon. j. ID. Morse, John L.
Weeks. Frank Ladner and John Ran
del and their wives were introduced in
the mysteries of the club, the gentle
men riding the goat in graceful man
ner and the ladies being allowed to
take the degree by observation after
which they were presented with
Ratchet by the High Continental.
The banquet closed the festivities OF
the day and il was a fitting climax to
the event. The tables were decorated
with carnations and primroses which
were also the decorations in the par
lors during the day, being furnished
by Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bedding, of Chi
cago, an out of town member. The
table service and menu were all that
heart could wish
Toastmaster +. c.. Watkins intro
duced the following program as the
intellectual feast after america" was
sung and the speakers were all at their
best in wit humor, and bright and in
teresting thoughts. prophetic Views
of China" Rev. B. V. Child; "Men-
Dead, Living and Unborn" Mrs. G.. ID.
Ellis; Expansion, f. E. Ranney;
''Home Rule of ireland, Mrs. T. Frank
Ireland: "Pingree," L. w. Sprague;
Scotland and the Scotch, Hon. A. b.
Morse.
Among those present from abroad
we're George w. Ellis, OF Philadelphia,
DR.. e. r. Ellis and Miss Jessie Ellis, of
Detroit, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Belding,
Mrs. Ed. Ellis and Mrs. E. G. Young,
OF Chicago, and II. N. Anderson, of
California.
The officers elected are Rufus
Sprague, president; L. Frank Ireland,
vice president; G. G. Merritt, secre-
tary; Mrs. w. p. Hetherington, treas
urer; l.. w. Sprague, goat keeper; D..
L. Taylor, installing officer.