Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-25
THE ANNUAL Dinner.
a GREAT INFORMAL FESTIVAL AT
THE wEsTMonELANDc CLUB.
representative GATHERING.
Opening of the New Addition of the
Club Celebrated AT the Same Time.
The Governor and THo Ex-Gover-
nars among the CHESTS.

The annual reunion and Christmas cell
sbration of the westmoreland CLUB. the
sI6est ana most famous organization In
she city. WAS had last night at the hand
Some quarters Of the organization. at
sixth and Grace streets and was one
Of thc most memorable IN the long list
OF such celebrations. It was also the for
nal opening CT the recently completed
addition 10 The clubhouse. ana vas in
every way . most auspicious one
The Westmoreland numbers among its
membership many men prominent IN the
business. political. and social circles CT the
city, and, indeed Of the entire State.
There was a liberal representation Of
the membership present last night. and
nlsny guests from this city and from Va
rlous portions Of The State. When one
looked over the great assemblage il seem-
cd that ii would be easier TO say who
we're moi there than who were. for there
aust have been Ave hundred din
srs. among whom were many OF the
men Who have contributed 10 the growth
and development Of Richmond and Viz
E3nia
Among so many and in such an infor-
NAL gathering il is difficult to single out
the prominent gentlemen present The oc-
rasion was marked BY The presence of
Governor Montague and two of four sur
TiE!ng e&-GoTernors Of the State-Hon.
Charles T. OFerrall and General E7itz-
hugh Lee. There were present also Con-
Eressnen II. d. Flood and John Lamb,
snd many others prominent in public
lie I. this State. not to attempt to men
~t1on tt,e many weil-known Richmond
gentlemen there.
The cafe and dining-room had been
combined into 3 great banquet hall FOR the
occasion, and accommodated with some
degree Of comfort the great gathering.
The entire building was thrown open and
was brilliantly lighted and gracefully dec
grated with cut flowers, ported plants.
and waving palms. Behind q bank Of
palms 4 string orchestra was stationed.
AMI made music during the evening. The
assembly hail. adjoining the other rooms,
was thrown open and the guests over
riowed into that
AN OLD FASHIONED DINNER.
The dinner was on the order of an old
fashioned barbecue. roast shoat. lamb
aE6 other meats salads and all that goes
70 make up q surnptuous menu OF q din
ne- on q large scale being served in 9
very informal manner. All kinds OF wines
su5 drinks Were served in the wine-roorr.
IS vas ege-nogg. the great Christmas
drink OF Eirginiens.
Everything was informal. delightfully."-
SC, there being no set speeches nor toasts.
A lew responded 10 persistent calls for
speeches. songs. and stories. and many
racoRteurs RECALLED appreciative groups
of listeners with weli-told stories. The
ynaIe members OF the Bijou Musical
Comedy Company were present by spe-
cial invitation OF the club management.
Manager Jake Wells refusing to accept
any. proIered compensation. as did the
entertainers in this clever bevy OF en-
tertainers and good fellows. They contri-
buJed no small part 10 the entertainment
OF the guests and hosts. and were
Lagoritas.
POLK MILLER THERE.
Polk Miller was present and delighted
the assenablage with his clever stories
and stage songs, and Captain Frank
Cunningham contributed notably to the
entertainment singing several solos Rev.
Dr.. Edward \. Calisch was present and
responded 10 calls with q happy talk. in
which he told an anecdote with an APP
plicati and told ii very effectively.
Many others sang songs and there were
choruses. informally started and joined
n by the company. j spirit of delight
'ul. boahon4ie Characterized the occasion,
tad the hours were delightfully."- spent.
The era in the history OF the old ana
.enous club was appropriately comm emo-