Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-10-19
MEETS PRESS CLUB MEMBERS.
Pleasant Informal Affair In Poets Honor
at RImbau House.

at RImbal House.
At the conclusion of the theatre
performance the Tri-City Press club
entertained informally for Mr.. Riley
in the parlors of the KIM ball house.
Lunch was served and cigars passed
and an hour of conversation with the
distinguished poet enjoyed. Mr. Ri
ley was made an honorary member of
the club by rising vote. Rob
EFT Z. Rexdale, of this city. editor
of the FraLernal Tribune, was
also elected to membership. The
club by Il rising vote extended its
thanks to those who furnished the
splendid musical mum bers i'll connec-
ton with the readings, an expression
in which MIR. Riley wished to be re-
corded as sharing.
The meeting broke up only when
Mr.. Riley's manager, j. NJ. Dickey,
announced that the eastbound train
was ready to start. The poet even
then paused to say few words to
the boys Of the press ia starting. II
am proud of the honor you have done
me tonight. " he said, in admitting
me to honorary mem berShip in
your club. l felt SO much that l
wanted to be one of you, that 1 want
ed to vote with you as you passed
upon the suggestion of my mem 5er-
chip in so complimentary q manner. l
shall not forget this occasion. l am
not a speech maker, but L wish now
that / was and that | had the
time to soy all that l would
like to. As TO the entertain
ment over in the theatre this evening
| never saw more beautiful audi
ence. 1t was pleasure. as well as an
honor. to stand before such a repre-
sentative class of people. l never had
the compliment and advantage of SO
high class of classical musical Sc
lections in connection with an enter
tainment. [ am proud and pleased in
having had the opportunity to appear
in the three cities under the auspices
of the Tri-City Press club. RI
shall always recall with happy
renem branees my visit here" MIR.
Riley's compliments were duly
cknowledged in behalf of the club
and he withdrew.
Mr.. Riley and his manager. j. Nj.
Dickey, left on the midnight Rock
u ain lOl nav
ing cancelled their other western
dates. 1t was reported at the
that the club had realized
q snug sum from the entertainment.
MIR. Dickey said in speaking of the
this night will, am
sure, stand out as an event in Mr..
Riley>s career before the public"
Everybody Good to the Press.
Everybody was good to the press
club last evening. The people of the
three cities showed their good will to
the club as well as their appreciation
pf the poet and those who assisted on
The program. Those who contributed
Of their talents in song and instru-
mental music merited the expression
Of appreciation that the Clue after
ward bestowed. In the theatre itself
from Manager Kindt and Harry &.
Fluke. the last mentioned of whom
got out of a sick bed To do mis- part ia
the front of the house, back to Matt
Lamb, who directs on the stage, and
including the ticket takers, ushers
and every attache of the house, all
seemed anxious TO contribute their
portion to make the affair all that it
should be. John Hoyt. the Daven-
port music dealer. sent up the best
piano he had in his store. and when
asked 10 present his bill suggested
hat check payable a century or two
hence would quare the sccount.
And then IL advance of the enter
-ainment the interest aud cooperation
that the various tti-city literary. oui-
Lure and musical clubs gave to the
Press Clue was most gratifying and
Of happy effect.
RILZY's PECULIAK NATURE.