The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-04-24
ON BETHESDA DAY
UNION SOCIETY CELEBRATED
ITS I53RD ANNIVERSARY.
UNDER ANCESTRAL OAKS
AN ELOQUENT ADDRESS BY f. NJ.
OLIVER, ESQ.

Hundreds of Visitors Took Advan-
tage of the Opportunity offered
and Inspected Grounds and Build
inEs-The Annual Meeting Held
and old Officers Re-cIected-Fine
Dinner Enjoyed by the BOys-It
Was "A Delightful Day and All
Who Went Out to Bethesda Were
Charmed With the Way This
Splendid Charity Is Conducted.
A great crowd of people gathered to
join in the annual celebration by
the Union Society at Bethesda yester-
day. 1t was the 153rd anniversary of
the society and was among the most
interesting ever celebrated.
The buildings had been thrown
open to visitors for the day,
and from the time of the arrival of
the first cars from the city there were
throngs of people in and about the
place. The main halls had been deco
rated with evergreen, and
banner in the front bade all
friends welcome" The day is al
ways marked in red letters for the
boys, and they had been looking for
ward to the time with eager anticipa-
ton. 1t meant a feast for them and
all manner CO sports, besides, of course,
the pleasure of hearing the addresses.
The day was bright and beautiful and
the excellent service given by the Sa-
vannah Electric Company made it easy
for the visitors to get to Bethesda.
They began early and were going out
almost up to sunset. For even some of
those who could not reach the place
in time to hear the annual address,
wished at least to make a visit and
inspect the buildings and grounds. The
roads are now in fine condition, and
many people went in carriages and au-
tomobiles. When on the grounds, be-
fore and after the exercises, the visit
ors stroI1ed around, and then made
groups for picnic dinners under the
great oaks. The scene at all times dur
ing the day was picturesque and in
teresting.
Those who looked right and left IN
passing through the big brick building
were well pleased to note the neatness
u
The visitors were free to go through the
entire place, and their remarks were
all complimentary to the management.
Many also took interest in the gar
dens, the poultry yards, the school
house, workshops and barns. On every
hand were evidences of good care and
attention.
The Anniversary Dinner.
The first of the events of the day
was the anniversary dinner that was
spread for the boys of the orphanage
in the main dining hall. Three long
tables were required to accommodate
the 1872 boys, and few persons have
seated themselves to dine with more
satisfaction The plates were heaped
high with substantials and sweets, and
beside each place was a huge paper
bag, which meant that the diners might
take portion of their dinner out with
them, after eating all they desired at
the time, and thus have a second
chance at the good things.
The dinner was announced at
O'Clock, and the boys, all neatly dress
ed in brown suits, with bright blue
neckties and blue caps, marched into
the dining room and took their seats.
pause was made after all were in
place and short prayer was deliv-
cred by Rev. William A. Nisbet, and
then the word was given to begin. The
boys needed no second bidding, and
soon had cleared their plates. The
stewards, under Chairman Nichols,
were present and active during the
dinner, and were ably assisted by a
number of pretty girls and charming
matrons.
Every youngster at the tables was
given full attention, and not only had
all that he could possibly eat, but
plenty with which to fill the paper bag,
for later call. During the dinner
the dining room was filled with visit
ors, all of whom enjoyed the novel and
interesting scene. Middleton's Band
was stationed in the hallway and dis
coursed popular music throughout the
dinner. 1t was easy to see that the
boys were very much pleased, and
would enjoy an anniversary once a
week.
The anniversary meeting and the an
nual address which followed were mat
ters of deep interest and Importance.
The dinner for the officers and members
of the boards was enjoyed as usual in
Supt. Chaplin's rooms.
During the afternoon the visitors
wandered at will over building and
grounds. There was music for those
who cared to dance, and the boys
found great pleasure in playing ball.
Several match games were PLAYED dur