Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-01-04
BRILLIANT BANQUET.
Special TO The Bystander.
Muchakinock News.

During the Christmas week our lit
tie city has been the scene of much
and merrymaking.
The grand holiday banquet of the
Twentieth Century club is now al
thing of the past, but many are the
pleasant and delightful impressions
left that will remain with us
throughout the year.
10 say that the banquet was a
grand success is to put it mildly.
Through the work of the invitation
committee invitations found their
way into number of Iowa's best
homes, and as a result early in the
week visitors began to arrive to be
in attendance at this one of the
grandest social events in Afro-Amer.
lean society ever held in Iowa.
Two spacious halls were engaged
for the occasion and were beautifully
decorated in evergreens and the nat
ional colors.
Promptly at eight o'clock the
guests began to arrive. ana were re
ceived by John 7. Washington, l.
Perkins and B. T. Cooper of the re
ception committee. Their wraps
were taken and carefully checked
away by Mr.. Frank Johnson, and
Messrs. Ben Greene and Will Viii
liams ushered them to comfortable
seats.
When the programme began Prof
A. r. Jackson acted as master o1
ceremonies. The opening number
was by Prof. Covers orchestra, il
|
A few of the numbers on the pro
gramme were, welcome address by
President A. r. Jackson, ladies
quartette, vocal solo by Mrs. Rosa
Tolliver, address by John II. Wash
ington, vocal solo by Miss Anna Will
lis. Rcvs. Williamson and Bingaman
were present and made addresses as
did also Prof. Brown.
After the programme was finished
visiting, two-stepping and waltZing
were in order and many were those
who tripped lightly and gracefully
to the enchanting music of the or.
chestra.
At 1875 Marshal L. c. Curry an
nounced supper and the couples re-
tired to the dining room whereo
Messrs. John Tolliver, Jr., William
Greene and Jacob Brown received
and seated them at tables where was
spread srmptious feast consisting
of all of the good things of the sea-
son.
People expected this to be a grand
affair and so everybody came pre-
pared to appear their very best.
At the hall where the guests were
received one was reminded of the
splendid bouquets rendered to kings
and stately dignitaries. AS to dress
everyone looked their best. Space
will not permit us to do justice t.
the subject, but let us add this was
an important feature of the occa
sion that was not neglected.
Of truth when colored people
get together they have good time
/ and as this was Christmas time every
one felt good, there being no re
straint. Regrets were received from
many distinguished people, few o,
who were Supt. B. 4. Buxton, Presi
dent Mckinley, Governor Shaw, Mis-:
Zella Davis and Miss Van Camp o.
Cedar Rapids and other popular low;
people who found it impossible tt
attend.
w. II. London said I enjoyed my
self to the very highest. That th'
club was winner was the opinion
of B. F. Cooper and Mrs. A. r. Jack
son declared she had the best tim
of the year. Grandest thing of it
kind ever held in Iowa is what Will
Green said. Mrs. George II. Wad
and G. D. Hawkins, of Cedar Rapids
were loud in praise of the evening
entertainment. President A. r. Jack
son said everything was grand. job
r. Washington seemed to think
. was his duty to care for the ladie
and wanted to monopolize the who'll
thing.
| Prof. S. Joe Brown: ''It was a
occasion l greatly enjoyed"
Miss Sarah Porter: "Oh, l had
lovely time"