The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-21
IN BOWER OF PALMS
RIFLEMEN CELEBRATED TWENTY
EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY
FIVE ELOQUENT ADDRESSES
FOLLOWED THE MENU SERVED IN
BANNON LODGE.

National Rifle COntest-ExpIained
Dick Bill in a Talk in Its Favor.
F. VI. oliver Paid Tribute to
"COmradeship," A. p. Adams to
''ChivaIry' aud r. J. Travis to the
"Private sOIdier"-ssWine, Women
and Song" Theme of G. A. Mercer,
Jr.
In a bower of palms and greenery,
into Which Bannon Lodge was con-
verted for the occasion, the members
of the Savannah Rifle Association and
their friends celebrated last night the
associations twenty-eighth anniver-
sary.
The celebration was in the form Of
banquet and proved one of the most
delightful that has ever been given by
the riiemen. no small praise for an Or
ganization that has the reputation of
giving the most delightful affairs.
Around the tables, five in number.
four parallel. and the fifth, that of the
chief officers and the speakers, at the
head. were gathered nearly a hundred
members and guests who enjoyed the
evening as only an evening can be en-
roundings, a good dinner. wit, elo-
Quence and good fellowship.
The lodge had been especially pre-
pared under the care of a committee
of arrangements consisting OF Messrs.
T. C. Battey, W. G. Austin. and Corne-
Illus F. Moses and did credit to their
care, taste and industry. The rails Of
the balcony had been utilized in the
building of a screen of palmettos that
shut out the scene of festivity from
the outside world. The pillars had
been twined with trailing greenery I'M
til they took on the appearance of syl-
van trunks, tall palms graced the cor
ners. while the tables were masses of
red and Of white roses, carnations and
sweet peas
At the head table were President
Battey, Capt. Jas. w. McAlpin, Capt.
". q. Austin. Col. Alexander r. Law
ton. Mr.. Ernest A Cults, Maj. w. W.
Williamson, Mr.. John Heard Hunter,
Mr.. Abbott Thomas, Mr.. ]. r. Saussy,
Mr.. K. ]. Travis. Mr.. George w. Tiede-
man. Mr.. Cornelius F. Moses and Mr..
I. d. Lynes. The other officers of the
association and others OF the speakers
occupied prominent places at the
heads of the other tables. Music was
furnished during the banquet and the
intermissions of the addresses by
Rosenfelds orchestra.
The toasts were:
National Rife Trophy" Col. A. R
Lawton.
''Comradeship." Frank NJ. oliver.
"Chivalry,' A. 2. Adams.
1.-The Private Soldier" r. j. Travis.
Wine, Woman and Song" Geo. A
Mercer. Jr.
The Menu.
The menu was as follows:
Terrapin Stew. Sailed Crackers.
Thunderbolt Whiting. Summer Trout
Saratoga Chips.
Bannon House Rolls. Sailed Peanuts
Sherry
Bell Peppers a rItalienne.
Grabs Farces. Fried Shrimp
Stuffed Tomatoes.
Shrimp a la Mayonnaise.
Roderer
Olives. Tomatoes Pickles.
Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Assorted Cakes.
Cheese. Crackers. Coffee.
Cigars.
Report of the President.
With the coming of the coffee and
cigars President Battey began the an
nual report of the condition of the as
ISOLATION. The members had gathered
he said. to celebrate it's twenty eighth
anniversary. During the twenty-seven
years that the day had been reached
such celebration has been held with
the exception of the year of the Spanish
American War.
1t is an occasion, he said, when all
classes of members are brought to-
gether, and he thanked them all fol
the interest and support that they have
always accorded the Organization. The
membership he stated TO be lis, a net
increase of nine over that of the former
year. The speaker told of the value
the association had been in promoting
the efficiency of members of the mill
tary companies in their work with tn
rife and stated that there is no man
who has distinguished himself with th'
rifle in Savannah in the past twenty
five years who was not at the tim'
such distinction was achieved a mem
Der of the association.
The Savannah Rifle Association, he
said is deeply interested in the Inter
state Rifle Association, and will do all
in it's power to make it the most pow
erful association of it's kind in Amer
lea. The speaker referred en- PEASANT
to the different members of the asso-
citation, and the classes of members
paying tribute to them often in hum
orous way. He said also that he beiev-
ed the associations range, Avondale
to be the best in the country to-day
and that it's condition is due in a
large measure to the interest and eff
forts of the county authorities to whom
the association and all who use the
range are deeply indebted. At the con-
clusion of the address he was given
three hearty cheers, and at the sug-
gestion of Mr.. j. r. Saussy his health
was drunk in the toast May he live
long and prosper"
Rifle Trophy and Dick Bill.
Col. Alexander r. Lawton was Their
introduced That gentleman had an.
nounced that he could not make an ad.
dress and so the POSTMASTER announced
that he would make q spiel" After
some more humorous references he an.
nounced the speaker as one of the few
colonels in the state or in the United
States who is an expert sharpshooter
Col. Lawton stated that he is very
anxious to see Georgia take part in the
contest for the national rifle trophy
and to see Savannah as prominent in
this effort as her record deserves that
she should be. I'VE all recolIect with
pride" he said, the record that Geor.
gia has made in national contests, and
we also recollect the unfortunate cir.
cumstances because of which she nc
longer takes part in them.
The opportunity is again offered heI
20 take part. 1t is presented now and
can be accepted without any loss of ths
dignity and self-respect she has had IN
the past" The board under which the
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