The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-22
SPEECHES AND SONGS
MADE MERRY THE ANNUAL DINNER
OF THE RIFLEMEN.
WAS HELD AT THUNDERBoLT.
TINENTY-SIxTH ANNIVERSARY OF
SAVANNAH RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

hemDeFs ana Guests were PRESENT
for the Dinner-ConGratuIat
Were Extended Upon the Success
of the Association During the Past
Year-Mr. Davis Freeman, MIR. u.
A. stovaII, Mr.. Anton Wright
and Capt. David c. Barrow Were
the spenkers-SOngs, JoIIity and
Good Fellowship Features of the
Occasion.
The twenty-sixth annual dinner of the
Savannah Rife Association was held last
night at Thundrerbolt, and it took its
place well up in the list of the many
successful affairs that have been given by
that association. That, too, despite the
extremely Indictment weather which many
! had thought would interfere with the
event. 1t did too, but not to the extent
that had been feared. Though more than
100 members and guests of the associa-
tion had been expected to sit down at the
| board that had been set by Mrs. Bannon
| a. the Lodge, it was yet regarded as evil
denoe of no slight interest in the associ-
alton that no less than seventy braYed
| the unproptitious weather.
The arrangements for the affair, under
the direction of Maj. williamson, Capt.
Austin and Mr.. Theus, were as well nigh
! perfect as the nature of the night would
permit. Those gentlemen spent the af-
| teTnoon in completing their plans, and the
decorations of Japanese effects and flow
| ers showed their ability for the manage
ment of such affairs.
The $50 car from the Bolton street
! crossing was taken by nearly all the
members and guests, and upon its arrival
at the Lodge, the moment for the com
mencement of the feasting had arrived.
| Places at the tables were taken. and the
rif1emen and their guests gave themselves
up to the enjoyment of the menu.
Those present were Mr.. w. H. Adams,
Capt. w G.. Austin, Mr.. f. c. Battey, DR..
H. S. Colding, Mr. K. A. Cults, Mr.. w.
M. Coney, DR.. Underwood Cochran, Mr..
w. D. bearing, Mr.. R. c. Fetzer, Jr.,
Capt f. w. Garden. Mr. w. E. Grady,
Capt. Wright Hunter, Capt. Thomas
Hunter, Mr.. ]. c. Harris, Mr.. w. j.
Harty, Capt w. G. Harrison, Mr.. H.
Jensen, Mr.. j. NJ. Lang, Mr.. E. c. A.
| Mercer Mr.. c. f. Moses, Mr. ]. F. c.
Myers, Mr.. Fred Myers, Jr., Mr. A. 5.
| Nichols Mr.. w. n. Nichols, Mr.. j. G.
Nelson, Dr. w. w. Owens, Capt. j. c.
Postell, Mr.. G. A. Quantoek Capt. c. H.
Richardson, Mr.. s E. Theus, Capt. ]. p.
c. Wilson, Mr.. R. L. Wylly, Mr..
H. D. Weed. Mr. H. H. Bruen, Mr..
r. G. Tunno, Mr.. j. w. Nc
Intire, Mr.. Joseph Gallagher, Mr.. B. D.
Haines, Mr.. A. n. Hill, Mr.. John D. Cars
we'll Mr. j. w. McAlpin, Col. T. S.
Wylly, Jr., Mr.. Davis Freeman, Mr..
James H. Butner, DR.. ]. G. Van Marter,
Mr. T. L. Malone. Mr.. Allan Bond, Capt.
George P. Walker, Mr. ]. F. Wheaton,
Mr. Harry Willink, Mr.. A. P. Wright,
| Capt D. c. Barrow, Mr.. P. A. Stovall,
Mr.. L. H. McIntire, Mr.. Henry Parsons,
Mr.. j. G. Cargill, Col. w. G. Obear, Mr..
George Armstrong Mr.. John ScrevesL
DR.. A. B. Simmons, Mr.. Hubert Duck
worth, and Capt A. Gordon Cassels.
After the gathering had done justice to
the menu, Maj. Williamson, as master
of ceremonies, inaugurated the post
prandial speaking, first making allusion
to the great growth of the organization
and receiving the applause of all.
Mr.. Davis Freeman was the first speak
err and his toast was Our Anniversary"
Mr.. Freeman opened with few happy
hits, directed against the president, Maj.
Williamson, Capt. j. w. McAlpin, the
first president, and Capt. White, declar
ing that through the agency of the asso-
citation, both the last-named gentlemen
had grown younger year by year. Mr..
Freeman struck a popular chord SEEM
ingly, when he referred to the desertion
of some of the most proficient rifiemen,
emily, upon the ringed targets to break
clay saucers and kill live pigeons. He
touched, with humorous hand, Mr.. F. c.
Battey, whose trip to Newfoundland last
summer in search of caribou. was made
a target for some pleasantly.
Mr.. Pleasant A. Stovall responded to the
toast The American Rifiemen." The re-
Spouse was not the first he had made be-
fore the association so the Riflemen were
quite prepared for and expectant of the
entertainment that he afforded by his very
neat speech. The speaker said that the
association is a valuable stimuant 80 the
military of Savannah, and that the badges
showing proficiency that are worn by the
members of the commands are indicative
of the inspiration that has been caught
| from the association, and that the trophies
won by Savannah's rifle team at famous
ranges clearly show the interest inspired
by the practices held by the association
at the targets at Avondale. He then fol-
lowed the course of American riflemen
and the American soldery through the
wars and vicissitudes with which this
country has been beset, concluding With
a patriotic peoration that brought APP
plause from the company THE Star
Spangled Banner" from the orchestra,
and standing vocal accompaniment from
| all the gentlemen.
Mr. Anton p. Wright responded to the
that he knew of no more striking illustra-
ton of genuine comradeship than that
which is furnished by the Mayor and
Aldermen of Savannah and Mr.. Samuel p.
Jones of Gainesville. thereby elciting a
laugh However" said Mr.. Wright, II
must say that the attention seems to have
been all from one side" He at
tributed all the progress that
has been made by the world to
this influence of association of men and
the power of the sentiment of comrade-
ship.
Mr.. ]. 6. Cargill was called upon for
a song aud responded in his rich bass
with "A Son of the Desert Am l." So
pleased were all with the song, that they
encored most heartily. Mr.. Cargill re-
sponded just as successfully The Haunt
OF the Witches" as he had to the orig
| inal call.
THE Military" was the toast TO which
Capt. David c. Barrow responded. Capt
Barrow's speech was not without its
humor. but It was devoted principally to
the contemplation of the serious side Of,
his subject. His references to the SOL
diery of the South in the conflict between
the states, were well received, and his
speech was terminated by an appeal for
the support OF the Georgia State Troops.
Mai Williamson then called on Mr. e.
| A Cunts who responded happilV. con.