The Somerset reporter., 1904-02-25
A Notable Banquet.

during Iot ~ years past bOIel OODuTD
has been the scene of many delightful
banquets presided over by its genial
proprietor, R. w. Haines, but the writer
questions whether a more congenial or
Jolly set Of good fellows ever gathered
within Its walls than the members of
the Skowhegan Grocers, Provision and
Feed Dealers Association, who held their
first annual banquet at this popular
hosiery on Thursday night Of last week.
This association was organized early
in 1908, Its object being to create more
friendly feeling among all merchants in
their respective lines, and the tremen-
dous success that has been perfected was
decidedly apparent on this occasion.
All business cares were forgotten, COM
petitors met as brother and brother and
the spirit of good fellowship that pre-
vailed Is thing long to be remembered
by all present. The hour for the ban
quet WAS set for nine o'clock, but long
before that time many of the guests ar
rived, and this time, while waiting for
the late corners, was passed with bill
lizards, pool and sixty-three; so quickly
did the minutes creep by that the half
hours delay Ia serving the spread went
unnoticed.
AT 80 the doors of the dining hall
were thrown open and the members OF
the association to the number of thirty
or more quietly passed within and took
their places before the handsomely laden
tables, and at signal from their pIesi-
dent, George D. Arnold, were seated.
Each guest found beautiful pink at his
plate and while adjusting the fragrant
flower In his buttonhole, the young
ladies who were to serve the spread pro-
vided, began their labors. or the bar =
quet suffice 1t to say it was one of Mr..
Hanes' best and was most admirably
served
Cigars were lighted at the close of the
last course and Pres. Arnold in a few
words presented A. X. Jewett as toast
master, who accepted the honor in Il
most felictous manner. The post pran-
dial exercises were OF decidedly infor-
NAL character and at no time was the
spirit of good fellowship more apparent.
Speech followed speech in rapid sacces-
sion, with occasionally a song, and the
reading of comic poem. When Presi-
dent Arnold made few interesting re-
marks upon the Russo Japanese war, the
general Publication ceased for moment,
and more serious business was taken up.
After three cheers were given for the
Japanese, led by Mr.. Arnold, E. t.
Goodrich proposed that the association
start subscription to raise money to
send to the Japanese Red Cross society
and this plan being unanimously adopt
ed, neat sum was raised, and the Gre
GERS, Provision and Feed Dealers Asso-
citation of Skowhegan enjoys the dig
tnction of being the first to send money
out of Maine to aid In alternating the
suffering of the japanese In the deplor-
able war In the far east. 1t was also
voted that the association enjoy days
outing In the spring or summer, when
the members and their wives will 60 on
an excursion to some near by resort.
The following are the officers of the
association: President, George D. Ar
mold; vice president, George L. Nay
secretary, George s. Webb; treasurer,
A. R. Jewett; directors, j. T. Thibo-
deau, E. T. Goodrich, George f Morrill,,
Adam Simpson.
We give below list of those who par
took of the banquet, including members
and several newspaper representatives
George D. Arnold, Arthur r. Jewett,
Adam Simpson, Everett T. Goodrich A.
II. Yeaton, Ben ). Flagg, Abel E.
Thompson, R F. Parker, Fred r. Law
ley, Robert Simpson, Edward M. Green,
Edward Spear, John F. Currier, w. l..
Donaldson, Frank S. Steward, Elmer f.
McNeelle, Lew G. Church, Angler L.
Goodwin, George Simpson, M. Prince,
Frank Thompson, Charles w. Day, D.
A. Porter, W. K. Porter, H. n. Stewart,
A. K Day, Walter G. Lessard, James
Lewia, Jr., George D. Young and w.
Donaldson.