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
rejoicing and merrymaking.
The grand holiday, banquet of the
Twentieth Century club is now a
thing of the past, but many are the
pleasant and delightful impressions
left that will remain with us
throughout the year.
TO 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
grandcst 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 tn,
guests began to arrive ana were re
ceived by John r. Washington, L
| Perkins and B. r. Cooper of the re
ception committee. Their wrap!
were taken and carefully checked
away by Mr.. Frank Johnson, ant
Messrs. Ben Greene and Will Viii
liams ushered them to comfortable
seats.
When the programme began Prof
A. r. jackson acted as master o
ceremonies. The opening numbe
was by Prof. Covers orchestra, il
waltz, Down the Lovers Lane.
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 VIII
lis. Revs. 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 11:15 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 a sumptious 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.
hn 1on hn &c
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 to
the subject, but let us add this was
an important feature of the occa-
sion that was not neglected.
Of a truth when colored people
get together they have a 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 of
who were Supt. B. +. Buxton, Presi-
dent Mckinley, Governor Shaw, Miss
leila Davis and Miss Van Camp of
Cedar Rapids and other popular Iowa
people who found it impossible to
attend
w. II. London said I enjoyed my.
self to the very highest. That the
club was a winner was the opinion
of B. F. Cooper and Mrs. a. r. Jack.
son declared she had the best time
of the year. Grandest thing of it's
kind ever held in Iowa is what Willie
Green said. Mrs. George II. Wade
and G. D. Hawkins, of Cedar Rapids
were loud in praise of the evenings
entertainment. President A. r. Jack
son said everything was grand. Johr
r. Washington seemed to think il
was his duty to care for the ladies
and wanted to monopolize the whole
thing.
Prof. S. Joe Brown: ''It was al
occasion I greatly enjoyed"
Miss Sarah Porter: "Oh, l had {
lovely time