Free press., 1907-05-04


Convention came off here last Tuesday
with good attendance from all the
societies. Our Normal School, business
houses, except the Court House and
the ''News" Office, welcomed the visit
ors by running up their banners, while
IN Zeigler's window was handsome
banner in ribbons of Federation"
And even Tom Lee Brown, at the
Presbyterian Parsonage, built snow
man holding a flag, to welcome the
visitors from the South The following
is an official account by our reporter
The Convention of the
Federation of Catholic Societies
of Ellis Co. Kas. April so, 1907.
The duty of reporting the proceed
ings of this Convention having fallen
to my lot, L undertook it with the
greatest pleasure, in as much as the
different societies have shown a great
interest in this Convention and. the
people of our County Metropolis have
displayed such an activity to make it
success and take good care of the
delegates and visitors. 1t was one of
the greatest occurrences, that has
taken place at Hays for many years
past. The delegates from all over the
County assembled at the parochial
school ats A. M. from where they
marched in procession to the st.
Joseph's Church, where solemn high
mass was said by Rev. Father Cassian.
Superior of Hays, while DR.. Menig
preached the sermon, and the choir of
the Victoria ST. Fidelis Church render
ed the music. The Sermon by Dr..
Menig was most eloquently delivered.
in which he portraited the Catholic
family as one of the greatest institu
tions of the Church, and the real foun-
dation of Society, the foundation upon
which depends the welfare of nations.
After highmass the delegates march
ed back to the parochial school and
from there in a procession with the
U. S. flag leading, to the G. A. R.
Hall, in front of which the Victoria
Band. discoursed some select pieces of
music, until all the delegates had enter
ed the hall. In rendering the music.
and also during the whole day the
Band was very ably assisted by Henry
Westbrook, the star of Snare drum
mers. Henry is a genial young man
and would be very desirable member
for the Victoria Band. Judging from
assertions and expressions from Band
members, Henry has conferred.a great
favor on the Victoria Band by helping
them out and they appreciated it very
much. When the delegates had Assem-
bled in the hall, the President Mr.. A.
T. Brungardt nominated the different
committees. These committees were
such as are customary at all conven-
tlons with the exception of cne, and
that ONE was, the Nominating Commit
tee. 1t was a committee composed of
one delegate from each society, whose
duty it was to select the different
officers and delegates for the State
convention, for the ensuing year and
recommend such selections to the
convention. After the appointment of
the committees the convention adjourn
ed until 80 P. M, to give time to the
committees to work, but before begin
ing their work the delegates and
visitors were led to the hall of K. L. A.
where a grand dinner was served for
all And want to say right here, and
say it for the praise of the people of
Hays, that everything was to the ton
notch, and far above the expectations
OF the delegates and visitors, in regard |
poth to treatment and serving dishes. |
And fully conceded with the idea of !
serenading the ladies of the culinary
department, by the Victoria Band. |
who, themselves were incipient of the
treatment and plentitude of their tables
After dinner (the committee men hav-
ing dined) they went to the parocial
school-house to commence their work.
so as to be ready by 1:3O P. M. for the
parade. AT promptly the appointed
time, our untiring Marshal, Mr.. John |
O'Laughlin, began to form the parade
with the U. S. flag and the Band in
the lead, the different societies with |
their visiting members and the banners,
showing which delegation was march
ing IN that respective section, the
parade began its march from the
parochial school. On. account of the
bad streets, caused by the snowstorm
of the day before, the parade could
not be held as planned. But neverthe
less the delegates marched around the
court house block in parade on the
vide brick walks to the G. A. r. Hall
while the band played some good
marches Considering the unfavorable
weather, the parade was a very good
'ne. Arriving at the hall it was soon
llled to its utmost capacity. When
5he President had called the conven-