The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-24
BANQUET OF THE
WINDY POINTERS
Captain Curtis Reigns IL
All His Glory.
WITTY SPEECH E S.
Two Candidates for Governor Pre-
sent.
A MOST ENJOYABLE EVENING.
| 1Icssrz. Cunningham and Phillips
Slug Songs. and Il Happy Time
Is Had = Senators and
Prominent Party
Leaders We're
Present.
Two Candidates for Governor Pre-
sent.
A MOST ENJOYABLE EVENING.

The Windy Point Club, famous as
social organization in Richmond for sew
eral generations held its annual banquet
at Taylor's Hall, corner Of Twenty-fftll
and Broad Streets last night.
Sixty guests and members sat down to
a long table at 9 O'Clock, which fairly
.;roanetF beneath a wealth of good things,
designed to stimulate and refresh the
inner man. and after discussing the menu
for some time, the speaking was COM
menced For nearly two hours 1t was
kept up to the great enjoyment of all, the
efforts of the orators fairly bristling with
sramme was intuspersed with good songs,
one to all those present.
Captain John Alexander Curtis the
veteran president, who is said to have
been chosen to his present position nearly
seventy-six years ago, filled the chair as
postmaster. with as much ease and grace
as he did at the first annual BANQUET
after his election can occasion which
some of the older citizens viii remember},
ana his opening address was one OF those
brilliant bursts of spontaneccs and capti-
widely famous for more than the alIolteQ
time of a generation.
HIS VOICE STILL STRONG.
The veteran presidents voice rang out
as clear and strong as It did in the good
old davs OF the long ago, when his now
snowy locks were as black as the wing
OF a raven, and he stood as erect, at the
head OF the table around which We're
seated the guests of honor, as III ne had
rolled back the calender OF time tor the
occasion. His bright eyes tWlnkied
with the same sparkling brilliancy WITH
which they lit up when he led victorious
battles in the Confederate Navy, and to-
all appearances he was as happy as a
careless laughing lad of twelve.
The table at which the guests were
seated was like a garden Of roses, ana
nothing was lacking, save the presence
OF fair maldens Cwho under the rules, can
neither join the club nor attend It's SoclS'.
sessions to make the occasion one OF
beauty and profound happiness: Messrs.
Jcseph B. Welsh and L. II. Ferguson
COMPOSED the Committee on Arrange
ments and the ability with which they
managed the affair, reflected great creu.u
on their industry, taste ana Judsfieil'.
Mr., r. J. H Moesta was carterer, ana ne
did his work well, and was loudly pfalseu
on all sides
President Curtis raped the company 10
order a few minutes past CLOCK, anu
after. a brief address of welcome gave the
command to ''be seated The Venefaplc
first yice-president, John Walsh asked
Divine blessing and the guests and mem
hers thoroughly enjoyed the feast of good
things before them.
THE SPEAKING BEGINS.
II was about 10 o'clock when President
Curtis arose and presented Mayor X NJ.
Taylor as the leader of the 'tin-bucket
brigade" Mayor Taylor said he was no
candidate for office. as his friend Captain
Curtis was, and being not at all well, ask
ed 10 be excused. At this declaration the
members sang That's an old one on US.
Mr.. John Armitage created great en-
thusiasm by singing The Red, White
and Blue.
Letters of regret at their ability to be
present We're read by Secretary Fergus
son from Hon. Edward IIchols and Con-
gresham John Lamb Rev. G. Il Spooner,
of Trinity Methodist Church. was intro
duced and made an exceedingly witty and
entertaining speech. He characterized the
members of the club as being famous fo-
the "truthfuness of their yarns He
closed with an eloquent peroration, which
was loudly cheered.
Attorney-General Montague was the
next speaker. He said the occasion was
two enjoyable TO be marred by speech.
He thought a club that could corner wind
water and wisdom was to be congratu-
lated upon its cornering qualities. He
closed his brief address with a graceful
return of his thanks for having been call
ed upon. and was loudly applauded
DR. LIE CATO SPEAKS.
Senator lie Cato was presented as
man from 'terrapin county, VINO would
talk about oysters DR.. LIE Catos re-
marks We're brief but exceedingly humor-
Gus. He was always glad to be with
people who knew as mucil about oysters
and terrapins as his friend Curtis.
Senator keezell was introduced as the
farmer" Senator from the Valley He
made his remarks very brief, because,
he said, he flad been so long associated
with President Curtis. and had never been
allowed to talk in his presence Captain
Curtis always nonopolizing the conver-
sation) that he had almost gotten out
of the habit of talking.
Hon. Pembroke Petit, of Fluvanna, was
called upon by the president to explain
Muddy when it reached Richmond, Mr..
Petit said he was situated very much
like Senator Keezell in regard to talk
ing, on account of his long association
with CAPTAIN Curtis. He was about to
say that .old Flu was the grandest
county in the State when the members
interrupted him by singing That's new
one on u.s." Mr Pettit's speech abounded
in timely anecdotes, and was well re-
ceived
Colonel r. c. Marshall. OF Portsmouth,
in responding to a call upon him, said he
thought the club had a most appropriate
name and that the name had a most
fitting origin. In talking of candidates
for Office. Colonel Marshall said if any
were present he did not know it. His
remarks, whictl abounded in wit and
h,,mor. were freely applauded.
THE ONLY BEN OWEN.
p owen. Jr. said he hoped that whoever
was elected Governor would retain him as
secretary. Mr.. Owen said in responding.