Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-20
AN ELEGANT SPREAD.
The Testimonial to landlord Caoan.
Monday Evening
Attended bi l2) People oil Augusta and All
Over lhc State.

loGtlOru II. II. 'aprN WAS gwen Il
chance Monday evening. to feel the
good viii that the citiZt us Of Augusta,
ana the Stat. for that matter. feel for
him. The citizens Of the city gave him
4 complimentary banquet. the like Of
which was not exceeded even in the
Legislative session. II was splendid
" successful affair and it was all that
on account Of the grand spread that
the genial landlord spread before his
guests. Ii is Wrll-known that Mine
Host Capen can get up as good a thing
in the way of a banquet as any man in
the State. The efforts Of last season
proVrd this beyond 4 doubt. 1t was
again proven. last evening. He served
a. the representatives Of Augusta and
the State It ninr-cOurSe banquet that
would have done justice t. generals Of
the British-norr war or even to our
oWn volunteer generals when they rr-
turn from the Philippines.
And what was the meaning Of this
affair which Wls gracrd by His EN-
cellency Governor Powers with part
Of the Executive Council ana by promi-
nvnt men from an over the State Of
Maine? 1t was nothing less than
testimonial of the appreciation To Nj
Capen for keeping the hotel open and
running, even though the Legislature
j. not here, all fpr the purpus, Of ac-
commodatinS the trade during the on"
seas N % The two Years when the hotel
husin, - pays. Tho Augusta House is
without doubt one If the J. st in Maine.
1t has to ~ Id please the Legislative,
members when they come here. At
TINT season of tho year III" great four
story brick house is filled u the doors.
u IL the headquarters If the politicians
of Maine. HUT ont If ,ssion il IL
different matter 1t is not situated hc-
side the railroad track, as the others
are, hut w in the handsome part Of
the city. ANA the travelling men can
not well % here without diScommOdinG
themselves. though many do this.
Whenever Il politician roams back anI
when the Governor and Council comes
once Il month. again the Old place is
visited and the warm hand clasp of Nh
Caprn. Head Clerk MoShcr ana all III
others is felt 50 that it seems like COM
ing HON" once NOR" after having been
away for few months.
All realize that The great house must /
be- expensive to maintain ana that no
money is made other than in the Leg
islativc session. For the purpose NJ
keeping the house open Mr.. Capen runs
at Il loss. This affair. Monday evening. !
WIS merely to show him that his cf-
forts to assist in making The house pop
uldr ana give Augusta the good repu- |
tati0n she enjoys in the hotel line are |
not Vainly spent To see the house |
closed and silent on beautiful State !
street is a sad sight t. those who love
to see everything looking prosperous.
Hon. u. Q. Nickery was the man VINO |
took the Initiative step to bring about /
this affair for the sake Of social good I
fellow ship ana to show the landlord |
he was appreciated. He placed the /
tickets 1t So each and he sold every one
that the large dining hall could accom- |
MEDIATE. which was 14S. He sold them /
in a very few days Of soliciting, mere
~ telling the citizens what he was I
about to DO ana they took the tickets
glad of the chance to visit and have
some more Of Henry'S feed.
They came from all over the State.
Governor Powers, of course. headed the 4
list: then there was Hon. y. r. Nicker-
son of Boothbay. Hon. A. II. Day of .
Bangor Councillors Mayo and Gordon.
net to speak of our own councillor and 4
candidate for the r republican Governor
shin ticket. Hon. j. +. Hill There
were others and their names will be ,
found in the list attached 1t made Il
very representative gathering when all
had collected in the Office prior to go
ing in to supper.
Supper was announced ard the que Sts
fled in. Governor Powers occupied i
the seat OF honor. having on his right
General Winfield s. Choate, who Off
atcd as postmaster. ON the left of the
Governor sat DR.. J. F. Hill. then Ad
iutart General J. T. Richards and
Mayor Patten Of Gardiner. Councillors /
Mayor and Gordon with Judge @. q.
Hail. made up the others at the head
table.
The dining room was thing of
beauty 1t il pretty at any time, but
under the direction of Mr.. Capen and
Head Waiter J. W. Flavin it looked
an the prcttier. The tables Were ar
ranged in the form Of a L. the distin
cui.hed guests sitting at the head tablh
ana the others arranged along both 1
sides down the length Of the room. At 4
every mans place was pink and all .
about the table set off amidst the
sparkling glasses and silver. were fern .
leaves and great pots of ferns and .
plants 1t made pretty scene. a pref /
ter ore never before having been ar
ranged in the dining room.
White gowned Mattresses served the
patrons while Mr.. Capcn himself stay
ca out in the kitchen ana superintend- .
ID. as i. his wont. the delicaciys that
We're sent in.
After the service, which was incom- .
parable. the asscmblage was called to \