The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-17
Roof Garden Banquet Fitting
Climax for Merchants Week.
Three Cheers for Topeka Given
by Visitors.
WAS REALLOVEFEAST.
Six Hundred Persons Enjoy the
Occasion.
Bright Speeches and Vaudeville
Numbers.

II lacked but a few minutes to the
hour OF midnight and the banquet given
by the Topeka jobbers and manufac-
turers to the country merchants Of
the state on the roof garden of the
National hotel last night was drawing
to close when an out of town guest
sprang upon his chair and shouted:
Three cheers for Topeka and her Job
bers and manufacturers" They were
given with will by the 600 visitors
who sat at the tables
This closing incident Of the banquet
might give an idea OF its success and
the spirit Of the occasion There was
never such a love feast between COM
tons In the history of the state. The
Topeka hosts had figured on 300 out of
town guests and 800 were here, yet all
were gladly made welcome and enter
tanned in a royal manner. The more
the merrier was the slogan Of the big
day of merchants week yesterday
when the number Of visitors registered
at the Commercial club rooms passed
the 800 mark.
I'VE were sure of success" said
Frank M. Cope. local jobber. IF We
could have the attendance and fair
weather. The thrush Of visitors over
whelmed us for little while Thurs
day but we crawled out from under.
and after getting Col Wood Of the Ma
tional hotel to double the capacity first
glad that 800 instead of only 300 guests
were here. Why, we had the same
number that Grand Rapids, Mich, did
three years ago when they started the
merchants week plan, and their en-
tertainment of 1900 guests this year
was the talk of the northwest. We
have launched this thing as an an
nual affair and will prepare for 1000
guests next year"
The banquet Thursday night on the
roof garden had been billed as the
browning feature of merchants week,
and 1t was. All the talk in advance
about this banquet and the expecta-
lions it had aroused failed to convey
the faintest impression of the splendid
success 1t scored last night.
The Kansas for Kansans" senti-
ment was manifest at all times during
the evening and good fellowship pre-
vailed to a marked degree. The great
crowd was handled in splendid shape
by the hotel management, the music
was fine. the speeches above the ordi-
nary, and cool breeze kept the roof
comfortable. even though 1t was hot
night in July.
Everything went forward with a
snap and vim and yet with precision.
A feature was the toastettes. or 3-min-
ute talks by local jobbers. Great
Things ndQ Deen eXpeCIcu liC
star speakers on the program and
their efforts even exceeded expecta-
lions. but the witty and interesting
talks made by several before unknown
speakers came as a pleasant surprise
and were enjoyed though the hour was
late.
Menu OF Topeka Products.
The banquet began at 8 o'clock and
II was $3.50 when Judge A. w. Dana,
the toastmaster, called the feasters to
order. The crowd was in good
humor. The orchestra music and
quartette singing by negro men and
women had been enjoyed along with
the following menu:
Tomato Soup a la Tecumseh.
Shawnee Dwarf Celery.
National Farm Radishes.
Wolff's Banquet Ham. Silver Leaf Catsup.
Copeluxanderson Potato Salad.
Baer's Prize Spring Chicken.
Whitekers Stringless Beans.
Topeka Fancy Ice Cream.
French Bakery Cake.
Cheese a la Roser
Topeka Flour Bread
Primrose Butter.
Topeka Spice Mills Special Blend Coffee.
Topeka Hand Made Cigars.
Judge Dana as Toastmaster.
Thirty eight tables had been set on
the floor of the roof garden and about
seven hundred guests were seated in
front of the speakers table when
Judge Dana began talking. The Judge