The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-01
THE SUMNER is a. YEARS OLD.
Unique Society of Chicago High School
Graduates Will Celebrate.

The Sumner will hold it's oath annual
banquet at the Sherman housa next
saturday night. This is a simple COM
monp1ace announcement, that would
not attract more than ordinary atten-
ton perhaps, but it means a good deal
to the fortunate members of this club
A few years after the great fire q num-
Der of high school boys organized a lit
erary society. The object of the society
was the mental improvement of its
members. The exercises consisted of
Debates essays. declarations, orations
and kindred efforts. From small be-
ginning the organization, then known
as the Sumner Literary society, grew
into a club of over 125 members.
The society was well known among
the young folks of the west side and
numbered in it's membership some of
the brightest of Chicago's young men.
Every year during it's active life the
question of grub or no grub came up for
discussion, but the grubs were outnum-
bered by the antigrubs. Five or six
years passed and the society outgrew
it's yearning for literary pursuits and it's
members adjourned sine die, to enter
the more serious arena of commercial
life.
The grubs, however, were not idle, the
spirit of gastronomy was still lurking
and they issued call to the members
town hotels. The anti-grubs turned out
in force laying aside old hostilities, and
showed no aversion to the good things
the grubs had invited them to. Old as
socia tions were renewed. Pledges of
eternal friendship were made and it
was agreed that all should meet once a
year for the rest of their lives and de-
monstrate that friendship could be
made everlasting in this case. Year
Il have
newed the acquaintance begun in boy
hood
A member may be absent for 10 years
and then suddenly reappear, portly,
successful business man, coming per-
haps from distance of 500 miles to at
test his belief and faith in old friends.
He will be recognized and a warm well
come extended him. Many of the men,
bers are prominent business men in ac-
tive life. Some are well known lawyers
others PROFOUND the gospel from pulpits
before fashionable audiences. One of
them is at present chief of the United
States secret service bureau at Wash
ington. Another is pastor of a largely
attended church in ST. Louis. Another
is a well known theatrical manager in
New York. These men do not seek no.
toriety. But it is a sight that would
gladden. the heart of the worldly mind
ed money getter to see these sober
| minded men gather around the table of
good cheer and Danish dull care from
their minds. They live over again the
days of youth, call each other by their
Christian names and throw dignity
away-in short, they are boys again to-
gether Next year they will have a
silver jubilee and probably introduce
their families to each other for the first
time.
There is so other society like the Sum-
ner 1t is living monument to friend
ship. Its uniqueness is one Of it's great
est charms. The officers are W. f.
Slosson, president; William Hulin and
Lawrence A. Norton, vice presidents:
G. F. Hiles and A. s. Stafford. secretar-
les; F. l.. Wells, ustodian.-Chicag
Chronicle.