Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-05-17
BIRTHDAY PARTY.
Alex Bruce's 10th Anniversary
Celebrated.
A Large Number of Friends Present to
Do Him Honor.

Granite Company is one OF the most
popular men in Barre there can be no
question and no one would care to deny
it. If, however, anyone has doubts, he
should have been present at the home
of Mr.. Bruce last night when about 70
OF his friends, including the employers
and employees in the vicinity OF the
Vermont Granite Co.'S. shed, accompan-
led bv their wives and few outside
friends, gathered there to pay their res
poets to Alex on the occasion OF hid
4Oth birthday. 1t was grand affair
and no one was ever more surprised
than the host when he went to the door
and beheld the multitude outside. He
was too much taken aback to say much
but his inherent bigheartedness and
hospitality prompted him without besi-
tation to welcome them to his spacious
house.
The evening was spent most enjoyably
in music. dancing and in song. About
9 o'clock ii. X. Bush arose and announ'
ced that George Mackie would make a
few remarks in behalf of the assembly
No more appropriate man could have
been selected for this part than this
sturdy pioneer of Barre and he acquitted
himself most excellently. A portion OF
his remarks were as follows: "Ladies
and Gentlemen You have done me the
honor to call upon me tor a few re-
marks 1t is not in my calling to make
Il speech yet | will do the best | can.
What shall | say is the question. "A
discussion OF water plants or city offices
would hardly be appropriate for the
occasion. Eugene Sullivan once said
that times like these make him renew
his youth once more. So 1t does me
and all of us. There is an individual
(pointing to Alex Bruce) who is only
10 years younger than yet he does not
look older than 80. 1t has not been IN
easy or luxurious life that has kept the
wrinkles from his couutenance. He has
been hard worker and thinker, this
hardy pioneer OF Barre. May the time
come when he will not have to ''put on
so much steam"
"Some weeks ago it was suggested
that his birthday was near ut hand and
in speaking OF his popularity and good
feeling towards him the result was
that this occasion takes place. Many OF
his friends are gathered here and as Il
token of their high esteem this is what
they brought, Masonic Emblem, one
Of the highest, one he will feel proud OF
one that in future years will remind hin
of this occasion and he will then think
of what prompted it. 1t will encourage
him in his future life TO keep on in wei
doing, and to keep on in being honor
able. 1t would not be out of place no"
for me to make few remarks relative
to the emblem and to make it more lln
pressive | will recite few verses"
Mr.. Mackie then recited q very ap
propiate Masonic poem and closed d.
saying 1--WE all wish him many happ.
Gays, long life and prosperity for him
self and family"
The Knights Templar badge that wa
presented was most beautiful and cos
tly one and was splendid present.
Mr.. Bruce was deeply touched by th'
gift and the words of his brothe
Knight. lie arose and said ; "From tn
bottom OF my heart sincerely than
you for this gift and | will wear it a
long as am on this earth. only wis
that old john Bruce of Scotland was her
tonight,'
The entertainment of the evening wa
furnished by Il large number OF tn
quests. Alex Williamson the talante
accordion player and George Angus tn
we'll known volini>t furnished music fc
| the dancing. Peter Wiley highly entel
tanned his listeners with different sele'
tions of songs and in reci'al,oEs and va
encorcd again and again whicn he 'rul
deserved. Philo Bruce sang sever;
selections in u most pleasant nannr
Euuene Sullivan tod his famous & ~
story. Alex Bruce sang several time
and the following guests gave eilh'
u songs or storles Eugene sullivan
= William Cassie, George Macki', $.
= Alien. Mrs. James X. Milne, Ale
Williamson, Leslie Henderson. L.
Mention and William Bruce.
Alex Bruce ives born III pettrhra
Scotland. 40 years ago. Ills 'fh r. WI
John Bruce. Nineteen years ago
came to America, going TO Red Beac
z Me. The following year he came
+ Barre and was one of our pioneers, |
J.. was the fifth Scotrhnan here. AT iii
he worked rs Il >t0nccutler for Wetno
10 & Morse until II yaars ago, when
TO went into the Vermont Granite compan
20 a member of which firm he now is.
vi married Lillian Patterson, daughter
Mr.. and Mrs. Philo Patterson, late
this place, 13 years ago. lie joined |