The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-03-04
Veteran Editor of Lake Crystal Re-
ceives Handsome Testimonial.
His Townsmen Dine Him and They
Cane Him Properly.
Very Fine Affair Carried Out Last
Light at Crystal House.
Guests Enjoy Magnificent Spread
Toasts and General Good Time.
From Tuesdays Daily.

CIOIu lueSufll Dduys
George Washington Neff, the editor
of The Lake Crystal Union, was given
the time of his life last night. He, was
rendered a magnificent banquet by D. e.
Wood, proprietor of the Crystal house,
and as fitting climax the newspaper
man was caned by his friends who had
gathered at the spread. Not until yes
terday at noon was the colonel appris-
ed of the banquet, at which he was to be
the guest of honor, but he was not
given an inkling of the gift that was to
be his The affair was well gotten up
and nicely carried out.
The banquet was held in the dining
room of the Crystal house and was par
ticipated in by nineteen of the newspa-
per mans friends This feature of the
evening was very delightful. The COM
pany sat down to the table at about
nine o'clock and it was after eleven
when the feast was over with. Landlord
Wood certainly did himself proud in the
preparation and carrying out of the din
ner The table presented very pretty
appearance, being tastefully adorned
with roses which for beauty could not
be excelled The dining room was hand
somely decorated with flowers and
plants. Beside each plate was a SOU
venir menu card. on the cover of (which
was printed the following:
+ !. X + = = < !,
= Informal Dinner Z:
!. in honor of i
Z George Washington Neff j.
i on his fifteenth birthday, i.
!: being his sixty fourth anniversary, !:
/ Feb. 20, 1904, !.
+ Crystal House, i.
i Lake Crystal, Nine Z
This in brief explained why Editor
SNeff was the recipient of the favor SAT
the hands Of nuInber Of HIS fellow
townsmen who took this manner of pay
ing him handsome tribute.
The menu card also contained an ex-
cellent likeness of the veteran editor.
The guests were nicely served with the
following:
Oyster Soup.
Olives.
Roast Young Turkey, Stuffed.
Cranberry Sauce.
Mashed Potatoes. Green Peas.
Celery.
Imported Sherry.
Chicken Salad.
Editorial Ice Cream.
Assorted Cake. Coffee
Cigars.
Full Justice having been done the
,edibles the toasts were next in order
Attorney ID. A. Reed was teastmaster
and he carried out his part safter the
manner bozn, introducing each speaker
an happy way, throwing into his re-
sharks lust enough humor to make
them appeti.lng. Ed. Weaver respond
&c 10 the BEAST, y hdu IhISSh1iA
Bi$hday." Prof. @. II. Barnes told the
company all about George Washington l
and George Washington the III. "Mr.
Nef and Lake Crystal Twenty Years
Ago. was the toast to which Stephen
Thorns responded, and j. E. Reynolds
offered aip a few words in behalf of 'The
Editor" The toasts were all IN good
taste and each speaker had something
nice to say of Mr.. Gef.
POSTMASTER Reed then presented Nh.
Neff with a beautiful gold headed cane,
accompanying the presentation with lit
ting remarks. Mr. Neff was taken
completely By surprise, but he proved
eaual to the occasion and accepted the
gift gracefully
The guests included the most promi-
nent men in Lake Crystal and they felt
it a pleasure to tender Mr.. Nef the tes-
timonial.
Mr.. Neff was formerly Manksto edl-
tor and about twenty years ago he
removed to Lake Crystal where he es-
tablished The Union and has condaaeted
If continuously ever since.
OPPOSITION TO CALDWELL.