The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-15
GRAND BANQUET
SHOCKOE COUNCIL
Celebrates Its Twenty-Fifth An
niyersary in Fitting Style
WERE OVER 800 COVERS.
Many Distinguished Guests Present
Including Supreme Orator Il. c.
Virgins, of Rome, N. T., Who
Made an Eloquent Address.

Shockoe Council, No. se5. Royal Area
nun. last night celebrated its twenty
fifta anniversary, Its re1no1u into new
quarters and the initiation OF its five hun
dredth member by a splendid banuue.
served in the banquet has at the Ma
sonic Temple. More than three hundred
members of the order were present, be-
sides a, number. OF invited guests from
other councils in the city. who occupied
seats of honor. There were present many
distinguished members Of the order, in
GLIDING representatives Of the Grand
Council and the Supreme Council The
orator of the evening was Supreme Ora
tor H. c. Virgins, of Rome. N. Y, who
responded to the toast, Royal Arcanum,
most eloquently, proving his right to the
title the Supreme Council had conferred
uIon him.
It was 8 o'clock before the banquet hall
was thrown open and the first course Of
the elaborate menu was served. 4ardel-
las band and Thilow's orchestra fur
nished the music. At the most remote
end Of the hall the orators and guests
occupied seats at a long table, extending
from wall to wall. Here in the center
was seated Mr.. w. T. Dabney, regent Of
Shockoe Council, who presided as toast
master, while to his right and left were
Supreme Representative S. L. BlOomberg,
Grand Regent r. ". Arnold, of Alex
andria; the orator of the evening, h c.
Virgins. of Rome, n. Y; J. B. Blanks.
grand secretary, of Petersburg; A. B.
Bctts, grand treasurer, Of fredericksburg;
DR.. Ewald. grand warden, of Portsmouth,;
Supreme Representative c. H. Lumsden,
of. Lynchburg; Hon. jefferson Wallace,
A. r. Dobie, Of Norfolk; W. F. Irwin, Of
Norfolk, member of the Supreme Finance
Committee: Harry Kemp, G. D. g., regent
of Virginia; q. P. Smith, ]. L. Beck, j.
J. Wright and others.
ELOQUENT SPEECHES.
When the banquet had been served.
Mr.. w. T. Dabney, regent of the council.
presiding as POSTMASTER, presented as
the first speaker. Mr. S. L. Bloomberg
who spoke to the toast. "shockoe Coun-
Gill; Mr. Bloomberg was charter men,
Der OF Shockoe Council, and most inter-
estngly reviewed the history of the
council its organization, and it's wonder
full progress during the past twenty-five
years.
Mr.. r. w. Arnold. grand regent. was
introduced by Regent Dabney, amid most
enthusiastic applause. He said: II congrat-
ulate Shockoe Council on this splendid
entertainment. 1t Is an evidence of
your push, pluck and zeal"
After speaking of the organization of
the Grand Council of Virginia. he spoke
OIL ' II lIlih bC(11tS :A-o1lS
of Firginia's fidelity to the order, and
of the States splendid showing. Most
he told of the organization
of the State Council in Richmond on
April 90. 1885, and gave brief personal
sketches Of some of the original members
of the State Council.
Nine of them are living; three of
thenl-MeSsrs. j. L Beck J. J. Wright, OF |
Richmond and A. B. Bolts, of Freder
being present last night. |
Supreme Orator, H. c. Hisgin. in his
eloquent address of an hour, paid a high |
to the Grand Council of Vir-
GINA. speaking of the wonderful rally |
and reha.---tation of the order in Vr- |
ginia. following the changes in 1898, when |
In all parts of TIE country there was |
a falling off in Royal Arcanum member |
ship.
He dwelt at length upon the beneficial |
fea lures of the supreme order. showing |
that each dan the order paid to beneti-
Charles over S2O.0oo and that since the
organization of the order. more than
Sl0o00.elO had been contributed towards
caring for the widows and orphans Of de-
ceased members.
The toast, Benefit to Young Men in
the Royal Arcanum." was responded to
bay Hon. Jefferson Wallace The Fra
ternity." z. P. Smith
The banquet last night was proof of
the strength Of the order in Richmond