Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-03-30
BIRTHDAY BANQUET
Frederick a. Washburn Cele-
brates 5Oth Anniversary.
Pleasant Event Occurred Saturday
Evening at Hotel Beldlng Many
Guests Enjoyed Occasion
Also.

When Fred A. Washburn first came tc
this city eighteen years ago to take charge
of the Richardson Silk Cos mill as
Superintendent, he rode in from Kiddylle
on the old horse car and paid his fare to
Elmer E. Fales. who was the conductor
on that popular line of transportation.
Mr.. Washburn is now fifty years old
and Mr.. Fales is sheriff of onia county
The anniversary Of Mr.. Washburn s
birthday occurred last Saturday. March
25th fifty years having passed since that
event and he concluded to celebrate it by
giving a banquet in honor of the occasion
Upon invitation gentlemen friends to TIE
number of z6 assembled in the parors OF
the hotel at eight o'clock being most COR
daily received by Mr.. Washburn himself
who made every guest feel comfortable
and happy and where an hour was spent
in that cordiality Of good feeling and pleas
ant social intercourse so characteristic o.
Belding society.
At nine o'clock the banquet was served
and each gentleman found his seat at the
table by a name card on his plate.
| Minerva Cook Hall violin and Miss
Imogene Ireland piano accompanist fur
nished music and their excellent rendition
of selections were loudly applauded.
The Star Spangled Banner was sung
with hearty good will, before the feast
ing began and Rev. A. Secord, pastor Of
the Congregational church pronounced
the invocation.
Every guest found a beautiful carna-
ton at his plate and they soon graced the
lape or a buttorhole Of each coat The
service came on in twelve courses and a
better spread was never put up at any
banquet held in the hotel. For more than
an hour the delicious dishes were dis
cussed with much relish and wit and
humor and social converse vent the merry
round at each table 1879
Brinton F. Han acted as toastmaster
and at the close Of the feast, called on a
number for impromptu speeches. His
selection to that important duty could
not have been placed in better hands as
he had perfect command Of the situation
and kept all the company guessing all the
time.
Responses were made by W. D. Ballou,
T. Frank Ireland Or, Jas. H. Armstrong.
E. B. Lapham, D. c. Sheldon and Rev. J.
w. Sheehan, all Of whom although claim
ing to be unprepared seemed to have the
goods with them and created an impress
sion that Chauncy M. Depew was not the
only after dinner speaker in the country.
Mr.. Washburn's many good qualities
were touched up and bouquets were
thrown at him promiscuously.
Henry J. Leonard, when called upon
near the close, said his remarks would
be mostly directed to Mr.. Washburn. and
in happy vein presented him in behalf
OF the guests a fine gold watch as a
slight token Of their esteem and friend
ship.
T. S Noyes, of Chicago, secretary ard
assistant treasurer Of the Richardson
Silk Company, also presented him
handsome loving cup from the officers Of
the company and in doing so spoke very
highly of the pleasant business relations
that existed and the very high esteem in
which he was held by all of them.
Mr.. Washburn who was then given an
opportunity to speak responded in very
flecitious manner. He said that he had
intended when fifty years old to celebrate
the anniversary and had arranged this
event that his friends might he phim to do
so and only regretted that he could not
have had more Of them, but the capacity
of the hotel dining room prevented en-
larging the list. He spoke particularly
Of the many warm friendships he had
formed since coming here and especially