Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-30

DR.. r. 3. Donaldson.
of this city, presented DIR. Donaldson with a
souvenir gold medal on behalf of those pres
ent. which was accepted in feeling speech.
The table was decorated with llacs,
greens and ornamental candelabra. After
an excellent menu had been served and the
guests put in good humor DR.. Schooley
stated briefly the purpose for which they
had come Overwhelmingly, to do honor to
their distinguished and beloved fellow den
tlSt DIR. Donaldson, who was seated at the
toastmasters right. He referred to their
guests early life. saying that he had not
started out as a dentist, but a mathe-
NAUTICAL instrumentmaker. After taking up
the dental profession. he said DR.. Donald
son became at once one of the foremost men
of his fellows in the District. DR.. Schooley
spoke in a very feeling manner of the way
he had been aided by Dr. Donaldson when
ne was starting to practice.
1T is due to his great big heart that !
am here tonight as POSTMASTER to do honor
to our guest, said DR.. Schooley in con-
Guiding his opening remarks.
DR.. ]. Curtis Srnythe of this city the
first speaker introduced by the POSTMASTER.
He was referred to as one of the old
guard Dr. Smythe has known DR.. Don
aldson since 1856, and a great part of that
time has been on the most intimate terms
with him. He could not speak too highly
of his friend, whom he called the most
honorable and just, most perfect Christian
gentleman" he knew. He also referred to
DR.. Donaldson's efforts and successes in
lettering the profession. DR.. g. NJ. Smith
of Baltimore seconded all these sentiments
and referred in particular to an instrument
which DR.. Donaldson invented and which
has been great aid to dentists.
Another Old Friend.
Another old friend of the guest of honor
who spoke, was DR.. Daniel McFarlan, who
was best man for DR.. Donaldson at his
marriage. Now, he said, his friend was
best man for all present-"the best man
We knew" He touched on the pleasures of
the good old days, when he and DR.. Don
aldson used to go with their friends on
picnics To Arlington and down the Po-
tomac. He and his friend are both getting
old, he said but still they are not the
declivity of life. He believed a man goes
always forward lettering himself and his
fellows, if he is actuated by true senti-
ments
Another representative Baltimore dentist
to speak was DR.. E. ]. Grleves, who re-
ferred in the course of his remarks to
a recent lecture by Dr. Osler, in which that
famous Baltimorean stated that, in his
opfnian dentists lacked three things-name-
ly, the tendency TO honor their old men:
to be charitable toward one another and
to remain uninfiuenced by telltale pa
tients. But DR.. Grieves thought that none
of these things could be said Of Dr. Dom
aldson, no matter how true they might be
In some instances.
Sometimes we like to tell a man what
we think of him." began DR.. l.. C. F. Hugo
the next speaker. Sometimes it is to say
bad things about him, and again il is to
tell him now we'll we regard him. Tonight
We all wish to tell DR.. Donaldson the lat
ter
DR.. T. S. Waters, also of Baltimore, said
he could not remain quiet when DR. Dom
aldson was being praised. He, too. added
his good word to all that had been said
He considered his friend one Of the most
uberal-minded and kindest men in the pro-
fession- Another speaker was Dr. William
v. 70 nf
the guest of the evening He thought it
the fitting thing to honor man like Dr.
Donaldson during his lifetime instead of
waiting until he is no longer in the flesh to
hear the good words that are spoken OF
him.
Very High Tribute.
A very high tribute to DR., Donaldson's
character was paid by DR.. H. C. Thomp-
son. The formers good deeds are having
an ever widening influence In the commu-
nifty. he said Ike the widening wave cir
cles caused by stone dropped into the
ocean He related how. as young man.
he had been put upon his feet in a time Of
misfortune through the great kindness OF
DR.. Donaldson. AT the conclusion OF his
remarks he presented the medal referred
TO. which was inscribed as follows
ITO Dr. Robert Bruce Donaldson from
his Washington and Baltimore associates
in token of their personal regard and recog-
milton OF his highly honorable position in
the profession"
In his response to DR.. Thompson's pre-
sentation speech, DR.. Donaldson said he
could scarcely reply to so many sind
things.
Il feel" he continued, that can hardly
plead guilty to all the things that have
been said about me this evening and l at
tribute them to your great kindness toward
me-"
He had only retired from dentistry nine
years ago, he said, because of the failure
of his eyesight, and loved his profession
as much ever.
He declared he would cherish the gold
medal given him one of the dearest
possessions he has and never forget the
givers. Before the close of the evening 8
entertainment there were one-minute i'm
promptu speeches by DR.. d. e. Wiber Of
this city and~others
Letters of regret that the writer's could
not be present were read from DIR. ]. Hall
Moore of Richmond, Va; DIR. B. Holly
Smith of Baltimore. and several Washing
ton members of the profession.
The committee arrangements for the
banquet consisted of Drs. Willard Donnally
| II. C. Thompson, c. M Gingrich and III. NJ.
Schooley.
DIR. Donaldson is in his seventy ninth
year and enjoys the best of health.