The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-01-13
TESTIMONIAL TO GEORGE W. AlBAuGH.
Presented With a Handsome Portrait Of
Himself and rendered Banquet.

The energy, enterprise and progressive
spirit of Mr.. George W. Albaugh, of West
minister, was fttingly recognized last Tuesday
evening, when Mr.. Albaugh was presented
with a handsome portrait of himself and Tend
cred a banquet by some of his friends. The
portrait WIS painted by L.. P. Dieterich, Il
weli-known artist of Baltimore, and cost, with
the beautiful and heavy gilt frame, 500. co..
The presentation took place in the second
floor parlor of The Westminster, and Mr.. Guy
w. Steele made the presentation speech. He
said
Mr.. ALBAUGH, GENTLEMEN We have assembled
here tonight Mr.. Albaugh, to present you slight
token of our regard for you personally and OF our
admiration for public life. The efforts of that
life have resulted in the betterment and improve
ment of this town and county, giving US today ad-
vantages that were unknown and not thought OF
ten years ago. Though others have been associated
with You in the various enterprises you have intro
duced, and likewise deserve to share in the com,
mendaton their workings have well earned. yet all
must as we do, give you the chief honor Tor IL mas
been principally owing to your indomitabe energy,
foresight and skill that they have been successful
have but to look back to the time when came here,
little over five years ago, and see Westminster as
been. Then no electric light scattered the shadows
of night, making it as noon-day. Then no tele-
phone annihilated distance bringing the voice OF
friend from the limits OF the county to our ear
Then no Trust Company existed, a safe depository
for the money of the widow and the orphan paying
for the privilege of looking after their welfare per
cent. on the amount intrusted to 1t. Then the
Washington road, in mid-winter, was impossible
for the three miles nearest town; see the change
t king place there now. And then, no weary tray
eler coming to this town knew that here he would
find a Hotel that would give him all the comforts
of home and all modern conveniences; Hotel,
where all connected with it would do everything
to make him comfortable and contented; II Hotel,
where he could obtain anything necessary to satisfy
his hunger and his thirst oh, in the building OF
this Hotel Mr.. Albaugh, you showed in a pre-em-
nent manner your fortitude and your public spirit
No one encouraged you in its erection, no one
cheered you on in your undertaking, put WINE all
admitted shat 1t was just what the town needed
still they all doubted that it could be supported
But you needed not their disheartening remarks
you paid no attention to their commissioning smiles
of superior judgment but kept on, and today the
greatest scoffers come here, admire the building,
and enjoy its meals. We are proud OF this Hotel,
sir, and proud of you We admire the modesty you
nothing to draw the acclaim of the multitude. nor
have you emblazoned your name on the walls of
the town you have so benefited. OF all the many
corporations existing here, of which you are the
power behind the throne, not one of them bears
your name Take this Hotel, for instance, which
should have been called 'The Alhaugh, it is known
as 1.-THE Westminster" As you know, Pope said
'.Who builds church TO God and not to fame,
Will never mark the marble with his name"
The converse shows, sir, that all you have done
has been for the benefit OF this community and not
for your own renown. Not only has your modesty
with this building, but it has gone further and no
picture of you hangs today on Its walls; there is
nothing. absolutely nothing, here TO show t ne
is indebted for the comforts he enjoys. OF course,
it does not take long for us, who know you we'll to
tell them of you to describe you TO them but when
the sands of time have out and We are no more.
and YOU too, your busy life being done, have been
laid away to rest with the ashes OF your a:ners,
shelter and cheer the strangers coming here But
who then will tell them of you, who then will de-
and there is nothing here to call their attention to
you And so we, few of your many friends. have
endeavOred to do for the public what your modesty
has restrained you from doing We have here
portrait, which will delineate to the generations
yet to come who will visit this Hotel the KIND OF
man you were. Though, of course. 1t does not
faithfully nor Justly reproduce your features yet it
is the best that art can do We give 1t to you re-
ouesting that it be hung in conspicuous place, on
some wall of this building; we tender it with our
best wishes for this new year. and the many years
yet to come that we hope You may enjoy; we offer
1t with the friendship springing from our hearts;
which your public and private life has gained and
Then MI. Steele removed the veil and long ap-
plause followed.
Mr.. B. T. Grouse followed Mr.. Steele, and
spoke of Mr.. Albaugh's energy and enter
prise. So well, he said, had his prudence,
business capacity and financial ability become
known, that his associates in the management
of the various enterprises of the city were con-
tent TO follow his advice and leadership, feel
,g assured that he would lead in the path of
success.
Mr.. Albaugh, in accepting the gilt, SAID
that, while he knew something was on hand IN
the shape of a gill to him, the presentation OF
the portrait was a great surprise; that while
he highly appreciated the gift, the spirit that
prompted IT and the compliment bestowed, he
felt that he was undeserving of such recogni-
ton; that it was not he alone that had built up
the enterprises of Westminster, but that those
present were entitled to as much credit as he,
and in several enterprises others had been
more active than he had been. The hotel, he
said, he had built after his own ideas, and he
had met with no encouragement IN the under
taking Still, he continued, he believed such
a house was needed in Westminster and that
in time it would return some income from the
investment; that its success had already been
greater than he anticipated, but for this he
gave the credit to Mr.. Harry Crout, the Man
ager.
After the presentation ceremonies the guest
of honor and the hosts repaired to the dining
room, and enjoyed as fine feast as was ever
erved in Westminster. The table decora-
lions were carnations and smilaX, and IN
courses were served raw and fried oysters,
turkey, ham, salads, potatoes. peas, pickles,
hot rolls, ices, cigars, &c. After the banquet
an hour was spent in social intercourse III the
parlor.
Messrs. A. 81. Huber and Guy W. Steele
were the active managers of the affair. Be-
des them the other subscribers to the por-
trait and banquet were D. Cowan, Jr., John
r. Martin, George L. Lippy, DR.. Joseph I.
Herring, Fred. D. Miller, Frank z. Miller, Fl.
S. Roberts, Samuel Roop, Theo. F. Eng lar,
William H. Vanderford, Charles 81. Wander
ford, John NJ. Roberts, William II. Thomas,
Edward o. Weant, Joseph W. Smith, John
L. Reifsnider, Jr., F. I. Babylon, B. F.
Grouse, Dr. George E. Baughman, Geo. M.
Parke, F. A. Myers, N. H. Baumgartner,
Harry E. Crout, N. w. Steele. John E.
Masenhimer, George Batson. Messrs. Jacob
H. Handley, Charles c. Gorsuch and W. l..
Seabrooke were guests on the occasion.
The portrait is a striking likeness of Mr..
Albaugh, and its correctness was remarked by
the entire company.