The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-08-19
NEW HAVEN TURN VEREIN.
Ffftieth Anniversary Appropriately
 Celebrated Last Night.

F1rtleth Anniversary Appropriately
 Celebrated Last Night.
 The fiftieth anniversary of the organ ization of the New Haven Turn Verein was most appropriately celebrated in their hall, corner Court and Orange streets, last night. A large majority of the local members and many guests represent of most of the other societies in the Connecticut Turn Be- zirks were present and the evening was one which will long be remembered as being an exceptional success. The large gymnasium was used as bant quet hall and several long tables were necessary to accommodate all. The president of the society, Joseph Nett, gave hearty address of welcome, af- ter which the Arion singing society ren- dered a delightful number. M. Schu- bert of Meriden, district president, was expected to be present but was unable to attend and 6 letter of regrets and congratulations and best wishes was read by President Nett. This was fol- lowed by selection by the orchestra, after which Mayor Studley made a brief address. He called attention to the condition of the country and mat ters in general at the time of the or ganization and traced in a brief way the growth of the many commodities and of the society, saying that it was certainly now one of the largest and most respected German organizations in this part of the country. After another selection by the orchestra the supper was served
 At the conclusion of this a tableau representing the Turner, in 1852 at the time of the founding of the society was given by several members. They ap- peared in the costumes worn at that time.
 There were eleven founders of the New Haven Turn Verein and of this number only one is living. That one is Gottfried Lehr and he last night gave short reminiscense of the early times in the life of the Turner's, telling of the first days and tracing 1t up to the time of the war Several other tableaux depicting the various stages in the his- tory of the Turner's were given and speeches were made by Charles Schenck, who told of the Turner's up to the present time and Dr. H. Arnold who made few predictions and looked into the future. These speeches were interspersed with the singing of Ger man song and also America, which was sung with spirit and enthusias stically. MT. Lehr was presented with a certif- cate of life membership and the Arion singing society received the award saI, of ha ticut Turn Bezirks In the prize singing contest at Scheutzen park. There were representatives present from most of the other societies in the state and many letters of congratulation were read from their and others in different parts of the country.
 The society was organized in 1852 and the first meetings were held in a house on Congress avenue then owned by John Kappmeier. The Turner's later held their meetings in the old Yale gymnasium at the corner of Library and High streets. Later places of meeting were on Spruce street, later on Union street, where Aurora hall now stands, and in 1872 the present Turn Hall was erected and has from that time on been the meeting place of this organization of very respected and rep resentative German citizens. There are at present about $50 members of the society On Sunday the members and their families picnicked at South End and the day was spent in the many enjoy able pastimes indulged in at such out of-door gatherings. One of the best features of the day was the excellent dinner served by the ladies.