Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-10-21
BANQUET TO WEIDENSALL
Omaha Young Mems Christian Assoc
citation Does Honor 60 Its
First Secretary.

Omaha has sent out into the world
men who have stood for large things.
Omaha has among its citizens many Of
whom she is and for all time will be proud
but there is no name in all this honored
list which should be held IA higher esteem
than that of Robert Wedensall.'
The above excerpt from letter of con-
gratulations received from the popular
former secretary OF the local Young Mems
Christian association, Frank W. Ober, en-
braced the sentiment which brought to-
gether twenty-five of Omaha's pioneer
Young Mems Christian association members
at a banquet extended by them Saturday
night in the association rooms to Robert
Weidensall, the senior Young Mems Chris
tian association secretary OF the world.
The banquet commemorated the thirty
ninth anniversary Of Mr.. Weidensalls en-
tering into the work of the International
committed and the brotherhood OF the
Young Mems Christian Association at
Omaha in 1868.
William Fleming, a co-worker with Mr..
weidensall in his early years, was toast
master for the evening, and responses were
given by w II. Woods, Of Fort Calhoun.
who was the second secretary of the local
association in 1870, Dr. o. s. Woods Of this
city, who was one Of the charter members
Of the Omaha association, William Chand-
ler OF Ravenna, and by Secretary Weiden-
sail.
In his most interesting speech Secretary
weidensall outlined his work from the time
Of his commencement thirty-nine years ago
until the present time. Commenting espe-
cially on the early organization work
along the Union Pacific railroad, which was
then in process Of building, he spoke feel
ingly OF the obstacles that were met and
overcome during the experimental work OF
the first year, and of the credit that was
due the city Of Omaha for assistance rem
dered at that time in helping TO upbuiid
this most important branch OF the asso-
citation.
Besides the letter from Former Secretary
Cher. a telegram of congratulations from
M. G. McGoon of Los Angeles, a charter
member of the Omaha association, and
letter from Richard c. Morse, chairman o
the International committee were read. II
his letter Chairman Morse related the cir
cumstances which led up to the engage
ment of Secretary Weldensall by the com
mittee, which consisted of Eve members
all living in New York CITY, who littlt
dreamed at that time of the wonderful
work that developed from their experiment
Secretary Weldensall will speak at tht
! Young Mans Christian association thii
afternoon on "A Kings Receipt"
Among those who sat down TO the tabl,
were the following veterans in the worl
with the years of their joining the Young
Mems Christian association: Robert Weld
ensall, 1867; William Fleming. 1867; samue
Chandler, Ravenna, Neb., 1867; DR.. o. s
Wood 1869; w. II. Woods, Calhoun, Neb.
1870; C. e. Reynolds, 1877; David Cole. 1877
Joseph Nichols. 1879; A. c. Kennedy. 1880
| c. F. Harrison 1881; ]. ]. Toms, 1881; C
w. Miller, 1881; w H. Anderson. 1884; G
! II. Payne. 1885, Howard II. Baldrige, 1887
| l.. d. Mitchell. 1892. Rev. L. Groh. VIII,
went into the Young Mems Christian asso
cistion in 1896 was classmate OF Mr
Weidensall fifty years ago Mr.. Baldrig
was born in the same town as Mr.. Weiden
sail, and his boyhood recollections of hin
are many. Others who were at the banque
included several OF the directors OF tn
Omaha association and some of the omah
pastors.