The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-05
COMPLIMENTARY RECEPTION
DELIGHTFUL AFFAIR AT THE Y. NJ. G.
A. LAST NIGHT
Tt was Given in Honor OF she New Sec
retary-EDjoyable Program Render
ed-The improvements at the Build
ing and of the Work


to Mr.. George II. Fitch, the new gen
eraI secretary of the Young Mems
Christian Association OF this city, was
given last night at the Y. NJ. c. A par
lors, under the auspices of the woman's
auxiliary.
A large number of ladies and gentle
men attended and were most cordially
welcomed by Mr.. W. L. Latta, presl-
dent of the association. General Secre-
tary Fitch, and DR.. w. c. Galloway, OF
the board of directors. The LOBBY and
parIors were beautifully decorated with
palms, ferns. rubber plants and other
tropical specimens kindly furnished
from the hot houses of Miss Fannie
johnson. The decorations were a very
attractive feature and elected many
compliments for the fine plants and
good taste displayed in their arrange
ment.
The first diversion of the occasion was
the opening of the gymnasium under
DIR. n. NJ. Wetzel, the live and efficient
physical director. The gymnasium vas
packed with people and they were ex-
ceedingly entertained by the senior
gym CLASS IN apparatus WOIh, Cdl1S0-
themes drill, mat work and horse ex-
ercises. The fine exhibition Of the
young athletes was a sufficient guaran-
tee of the Importance of this branch
and that no mistake has been made in
establishing it for the physical develop
ment of the young men. 1t is
''men" out of the boys and in this con-
nection it will be we'll to remember that
in the popular basket ball games last
winter the Y. NJ. G. A. teams walked
off with the honOrs as against other
teams. After the gymnastic exercises
last night there was a lively basket ball
game between mixed teams.
After the basket ball game the visi-
tors assembled in the parlors where a
charming programme was carried out
with Dr.. w. c. Galloway as master or
ceremonies.
The first number on the programme
was a whistling solo by Miss Elizabeth
Often who artistically whistled Dance
Of the Moon Beams" Mrs. II. f. OF
ten accompanied her on the piano.
With an accompaniment by Miss Will
lie Emmett, Miss Anne Mel. Taylor
then sang Because L Love you, Dear"
Her solo evinced fine vocal talent and
she was fatteringly applauded.
The audience was then delightfully."-
entertained with a piano solo by MI.
Bernard Williamson whose artistic ma
AlpuldIlOIl VI TIC hCSo "oS wy HNS
ing.
Mrs. Bernice Moore followed with one
of her unique recitationS and the ex-
cellent manner in which she gave the
recitation met with great appreciation.
Then came a piano solo by Miss Lizzie
Kirkham who rendered the GrandGallop
de Concert (by Ketterer). Her splendid
talent was manifest and her playing
was much enjoyed.
One of the most highly appreciated
number was a vocal solo by Miss Mary
Cole who admirably sang Meath the
Shades of the Sheltering Palms" She
was accompanied by Mrs. Matte l..
Chasten and her singing was highly ap-
preciated and gave great pleasure.
Master Guy Lemoine fOllowed with a
splendid recitation that did him great
credit and added to the enjoyment
of the evening.
Miss often concluded the programme
with a Whistling solo to an accompan1-
ment by Mrs. Often. She Whistled
lover the Waves" and the appreciat1Ve
applause indicated that her splendid
gift and accomplishment made a most
agreeable impression upon the audience.
The audience was most charmlngly
entertained by the programme, ana
when it had been completed delightful
refreshments were served. Ihe dellca-
cies were all the more enjoyed by the
visitors for the reason that they were
served by seven lovely young ladies
Misses MAZE Whitney Isabelle Struthers,
Louise Corbett, Sara Emmett, Ethel
Barnes, Ida Black and Nan Hug
gins. When the treshmen naa
been served it was IL o'clock and we are
sure all regretted that the pleasant oc-
casion had ended.
All who met General Secretary Fitch
were much impressed with him. He
has agreeable manners, is prepossesslng
in appearance, and strong character
and fine intelligence are marked traits.
He is a K~entuckian but is not the pos
SCISSOR of a knife with n blade and
thirteen cork screws. He is a splendid
product of the blue grass region, having
been born December IL, 1870, at 1olerS-
boro near Lexington. The
of his education was aid in the public
and high schools of his state which ne
attended till his 18th year when he took
a special course in the Cincinnati uni
yersity. At that Institution he became
interested in Y. NJ. c.. A. work but al
ter completing his course he ngage IN
mercantile work in Cincinnati for a
while. He maintained his interest IN
Y. NJ. G. A. work and soon quit the
store for active work, having been made
assistant secretary Of the Central asso-
citation of that city. He was soon pro-
NOTED to membership secretary, then
to department secretary, and then tC
the general s~ecretaryship of the Central
association, which embraces all the Z.
M. C. a. branches of the city. He had
the honor of being the youngest general
secretary in the world in a city OF the
size of Cincinnati, with nearly 4Oo,O0V
inhabitants. He had eight assistant
secretaries and three branches In his
charge, representing a membership OF
$500, an invested capital of $250,O00 and
with a current budget of S25,Ooo a year;
He remained at the e Of the Central
association until October last year When
he resigned to take a rest, having de-
cided to take a trip to Europe. HIS
resignation was accepted with great
reluctance and he did not get out OF
harness till last March. He went to his
Kentucky home to take a rest and in
stead of going abroad attended the I.
NJ. C. A. jubilee convention at Boston
last June. After the convention ne
travelled till the middle Of July in the
New England states making a study OF
the best methods in Young Mems chris
4ian ocSoo;ot;apS and then Joined MS