The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-24
BETHESDA THRONGED
OVER 1000 VISITORS AT THE Or
PHAN HOUSE.
UNION SoCIETY'S ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATED IN PLEASING AND I'M
POSING MANNER.

Gov. Gambler Wns the Distinguished
Guest and the Speaker of the Day.
His Able Address-AnnuaI Meeting
of the Society-Omcers Elected and
Committees Named-Dinner for
Boys and for Visitors at Bethes-
da-Governor and other Visitors at
County Farm-RepOrt of President
EstiII Upon Bethesda Orphan
House and Union Society.
The one hundred and fifty-hrst. ami
verssry of the Union Society was cele-
brated yesterday at Bethesda. and the
exercises of the afternoon were made es-
pecially interesting by che presence of
the Governor and his address to the boys
OF the Bethesda orphan House. The
crowd gathered for the celebration was
the largest in the recollection of the mem
bers of the society present. 1t was esti-
mated that there were at least 5000 Wis
itors
All who visited Bethesda seemed to en-
JOY themselves thoroughly. The Orphan
House and its surroundings are attrac-
dive to a degree. and to those whose visit
was their first there was great deal to
interest. To those who have been ac-
customed to visit Bethesda. their stay
was robbed of none of its pleasure by
their familiarity with all they saw, but
rather heightened thereby. as they were
pleased to note the changes and observe
the evidences of improvement.
The crowd began to arrive at Bethesda
at about 10 or II o'clock in the morning,
4, I...II
until the afternoon. The 1913 boys who
make their home at Bethesda were in
their element, as their weeks holiday had
begun and they were to experience the
pleasure that falls to them but once
year of observing the great crowd of visi-
tors.
Various forms of amusement were pro-
vided, there being swings for the children,
baHs and bats to enable the boys TO
frame up base bali games and other pas
times offered. The large dormtory had
been cleared of its cots by Superintendent
a. V. Chaplin. and the floor afforded an
excellent place for dancing. A brass band
was in attendance throughout the day.
and dancing was enjoyed by many of the
young people.
Shortly after noon the great dinner, to
which the boys of Bethesda look forward
with most pleasant anticlpations, was
served. This was in the dining-room OF
the main building. By subscription and
by purchase, the Board of Stewards, I'M
der Chairman A. S. Nichols, had gath
cred a great quantity of good things, and
these were on the table in a profusion
that made the only regret of the boys
their inability TO eat more.
The welfare of the boys was looked out
for by Mrs. Clara Butler, who was ably
assisted by the following ladies: Mrs. r.
W. Cubbedge. Miss Julia Myddleton,
Mrs. John II. Fox. Mrs. w. A. Nisbet,
Mrs. Robert Krenson, Mrs. A. s. Mich
OILS and Miss Mungin. Mr.. r. 3. Reppard
who is absent from the city, was greatly
missed from the boys dinner, as he is
present whenever he can possibly be, and
is the life of the affairs The boys and
tho older persons were all sorry Mr.. Rep
pard was not with them
At about 2:30 o'clock, the Governor and
the officers and managers of the Union
Society and the Mayor and aldermen and
the County Commissioners arrived driv-
ing through lines of the boys that had
been drawn up to either side of the en-
trance to the grounds. The crowd of Wis
itors, too. eager for the first glimpse of
the Governor, were about the gateway
and it was amid clapping of hands that
the party drove through the grounds, TO
aiight in front of the principal building
They then filed into the parlor, where a
long table had been arranged and where
the guests dined the Union Society be-
ing the host.
After the dinner. the annual meeting Of
the Society was held. This was followed
by the anniversary exercises, after which
the visitors returned 10 the city. some in
the vehicles that had carried them and
others by the cars.