Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-20
More Than $50 Members of Ottumwa Com
mercial Association Attend Function.
MUSIC And TOASTS ENTERTAIN GUESTS
oTTUMWAs BUSINESS MEMS CLUB ENTERTAiNo ON AvIsH
BALLlNeALL HOTEL LAST EvENINe-EvENr WAS
MOST ENJOYABLE SUCCESS SUPPORT OF CITIZENS
From Triday,s Daily.

From Fridays Daily
Over $50 of Ottumwa's representa-
tive business and professional men
gathered last evening al the Ballingall
hotel to attend the first annual ban
quet Of the Ottumwa Commercial as
ISOLATION. The event was one of the
most elaborate functions ever given
Z III the city and from the gathering
OF the assemblage in the parlors at s
O'Clock until the last toast had been
responded to over the banquet board
the evening was one of thorough en-
joyment to those in attendance. The
Commercial association banquet is to
be an annual event and from the sue
cess achieved last evening it is certain
that the annual function will be looked
forward to with joyful anticipation by
the members.
At s O'Clock last evening the Balm
gall took on lively appearance, and
soon the parlors and halls were crowd
ed. The guests were received by a
committee and introductions and gen
eral handshakings followed until din
ner was announced at about $50
o'clock. The Fifty-fourth regimental
orchestra was stationed in the spa
cious hall. near the entrance to the
dining hall, and discoursed music
during the reception and the dinner.
The dining room was packed with ban
queters and business cares were for
gotten in the enjoyment of the oc-
casion. The dinner was excellent as
was the service, the large number of
diners being served with the most
minute precision. Rev. j. Hollister
Lynch, rector of Trinity Episcopal
church, gave the invocation.
The following committee on recep-
ton did the honors of the occasion:
Mayor 7. H. Picker, J. w. Neasham,
c. d. Fullen, Frank McIntlre, w. T.
Harper, Jr., G. c. Janney E. H. EN-
cry, L. E. Stevens, +. B. Clark and w.
S. Vinson
IS. II. Harper, President"
The Menu.
Blue Points.
Bouillon.
Mashed Potatoes
Green Peas in Cases.
Angelica Punch.
Saute of Squabe with Estragon.
Shrimp Salad.
Neopolitan ice cream
Cheese and Crackers.
Coffee. Cigars.
After Dinner Talks,
Toastmaster S. H. Harper assumed
his duties at the close of the dinner,
and he presided in most excellent
manner his humorous sallies as he
introduced the speakers preparing ev-
eryone for the excellent after-dinner
talks heard. The entire program of
toasts were well delivered and as fit
ting climax came the eloquent address
OF A. w. johnson, whose talk, inter-
mingled with witty utterances, carried
the party by storm. Edward Weeks was
present and sang the tenor solo, sIoye
Lies Bleeding as only Mr.. Weeks
can. He was heartily encored at it's
close. The following program of
toasts was listened to with ENJOYABLE
attention by the guests:
j. n. Mitchell.
Secretary ]. II. Mitchell was the
first speaker and he responded to the
toast, 1.-THE Commercial association !,
as follows:
MI. Toastmaster and associates. I
am somewhat surprised at the toast
master in calling upon the secretary
for toast when he knows the secre-
tary gets nothing but roasts, and most
( of them not Morrell's best.
However, knowing that a toast
master is somewhat like the Irishman's
= fea, have come prepared to take nv
medicine. In the language of Bill Nye.
j brought the mule along
Commercially we have Joined our
selves together in an association for
the purpose OF extending, trade, social
intercourse, industrial spirit, and gen.
eral improvement of our city. Hume
says: The public becomes powerful
i in proportion to the opulence and ex-
tensiVe commerce of private men,
We have learned tonight that the
stomach is the most associate. If a
stranger would look in on us he would
no doubt say that this is an associa-
ton which is alive and healthy.
1t Is by perseverance that we are
aDle 10 say we have commercial as
ISOLATION. Now with this same zeal
feel that the association can show a
good record for this year. We shnnld
- ASSi CopSSAetily 10 our ualIy
press and to other papers of our CITY
for the assistance they have rendered
us at all times in publishing the issue
us at all times in publishing and push.
ing the issue.
The association starts out for the
year with prospects for bright future
and is in fine working order for one
only two months old. but in that short
time We have to record the death OF
one bright and useful member. VIII
Armstrong.
"The year no doubt, will bring GU,
association into state prominence
There will be legislative moves in ou,
state in which corporate cities will
be deeply interested, and we are to be
congratulated upon having our presi
dent member of the next general as
sembly. He will no doubt prove him
self Of great value to the community
Following the legislature will be the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. OF
tumwa should provide for an exhibit
- 49,. =.