The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-25
BETHESDA'S JUBILEE DAY.
sEsQUI CENTENNIAL OF THE HIS
TORIC ORPHANAGE.

A Donation of $4,000 Received
From "a Friend of the Union Socte-
ty for n New Brick school Build
fng-The Exercises Were Largely
Attended and the Annual Meeting
"a Very Satisfactory One-Mr. w.
II, Stubs Pleased Both the Boys
and Their Seniors with an In
structive and Entertaining Adj
dress-The Boys Had Their Annual
Feast-President Esti1 Discussed
the work of the Society and Its
Finances in His Annual Report.
The one hundred and hfteth anniversary
of the Union Society was one of the most
successfully and most thoroughly salts
factory of the many anniversaries in the
long history of the society.
God has blessed this day to Bethesda,
said Mr. r. B. Reppard, as he stood
among a knot of friends on homeward
bound car late in the afternoon. There
were many who felt the spirit of MI.
Reppards remark even if they did not
express it in the same words. The day
had been an ideal one for the occasion,
the attendance had been very large with
very decided interest manifested in the
work of the society, and the anniversary
meeting had been an unusually satisfac-
tory one.
Not the least important of the events of
the meeting was the announcement by
the president that only the day before
he had received a donation from a friend
of the society of $4,000. the only condi-
lions attached being that the sum should
be used entirely for the erection of a new
brick school building, something of which
the society stands in need, and that the
donor should be permitted to remain
strictly incognito. Because of this latter
condition, the president was unable 60
satisfy the natural curiosity Of the mem
bers as to the identity of their generous
friend.
This, however was only one of the I'm
cidents of a meeting which proved so
pleasant in every respect that the mem
bers were 10th to adjourn. Another pleas
ant feature was the large number of new
members added to the rolls. and the dis
position manifested on the part Of those
present, to engage in further active work
on this line.
Several hundred people went out from
the city and a number gathered from that
section of the county. Including the
children and staff of the orphanage there
were probably 1000 people in the grounds
during the day. AS usual the insufficient
facilities for transportation from Sand Fly
to Montgomery were the cause of some in
convenience, but the best arrangements
possible had been made for the day and
fairly good service was rendered. There
is reason to hope that the railway line
will be equipped with electricity, at least
as far as Bethesda, by the next anniver-
sary.
Doubtless the chief feature of the day
with the orphan boys was the bountfu
dinner served to them by the stewards
assisted by a number of ladies. There
was an ample supply of good things which
the boys undoubtedly appreciated. AS
usual each boy was furnished with a ca
pacious paper bag which he proceeded C
fill up from the supplies before him. after
which he proceeded to satisfy the inner
boy. The stores thus accumulated will
last some of the boys for another days
feast at least.
Mr.. A. S. Nichols was In charge
of the dinner. Among his active assist
ants were Messrs. Walter Coney, H ]
Sutcliffe, j. c. Harris. J. H. Fox, A. Kes
sci, r. B. Reppard, f. w. Cubbedge, Johr
OKeefe, w. w. Pringe and Rev. w. A
Nisbet. Mrs. Clara Butler was at oh,
head of the Ladies' Committee, in which
capacity her efficiency has been well dem
onstrated on many former occasions
Among her assistants were Mrs. Cub
hedge, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Kessel, Mis-.
Chapeau Miss Julia Middleton. Mrs Free
Butler, Mrs. Osceola Butler and Miss An
ME Halversen.
The fact that there was a large mum
Der of onlookers did not disturb the en-
joyment of their dinner by the boys Mos
of the visitors pcniclSed on the grounds
Middleton's Band furnished music for tn,
day, and one of the dormitories was turn
ed over 10 the visitnrs for danninn