The Somerset reporter., 1908-09-24
Honored in his Native Land.

returned, was dinner and reception
rendered him by hIs former neighbors
and friends in Huddersfield 4 eli
zen of that city, VINO was present has
sent the REPORTER the following ae-
count Of this junction which viii be
interesting TO our readers who know
Mr. North, and also to the many resi-
dents Of this section who either them
selves once lived in Eng land, or VINO
are the descendents Of those who
came to America from that country.
A little more than ID years ago
Lindley a suburb of the borough Of
Huddersfeld in the County of York,
famous alike for the high standard Of
cloth manufacture and the musical
attainments Of its citizens, was made
the poorer by the emigration of Mr..
Charles North with h is family to the
States Of America.
Possessed Of zest for the public
veal, Mr.. North right up to the time
Of his removal, had always thrown
himself with enthusiasm into the DIFF
ferent spheres Of pubic service which
appealed TO his sympathles and tenn
perment. Possessed of a sunny and
genial nature, he mad happy aculty
for making friendships which stand
the test Of time and distance. Fiji
teen years is rather large slice in
the lifetime of an individual but the
personality OF Charlie North has been
kept green in the memory Of the
great host of friends he left behind
him when he left these shores fifteen
years ago.
Some four or five months ago the
circumstances of the moment made it
possible for Mr.. North 10 arrange for
a holiday, and return for a short
period TO his native town, and renew
the friendships of his earlier days.
Right joyfully was Mr.. North received
when at length he did make his APP
pearance and many have been the
happy reunions. AT the Liberal Club
for which Mr.. North mad done SO
much in its early existence the
friends have gathered nightly and
have listened with increasing inter
est to the descriptions Of American
life, TO the growth and development
of its commerce and institutions.
Right glad have we been in listening
to the recital of this amazing and pro
digeous growth, to hear that our
friend in his peregrinations through
the States, had met with first one and
then another of our fraternity: until
ne could count some IS or % old
members of the Lindley Liberal Club,
who had gone out TO the States, who
were occupying positions of trust and
responsibility and were thus contribut-
ing some humble share in the building
up of this strong and mighty empire.
AS the time for Mr.. North's depart
ure back to the States drew near his
friends decided to give him some
practical proof of the estimation in
which he is held by them, and they
organized a dinner in his honor which
duly took place in the Assembly
Rooms of the Liberal Club on Friday,
Aug. 21st. Some 80 to 40 friends sat
down TO the most sumptuous repast
which had been prepared by Mr.. and
Mrs. W. Smithson, the Club caretaker
and his wife. At the smoker which
followed Mr. James Henry Hepworth
as one of Mr.. North's Oldest and most
intimate friends was voted to the
chair and in opening the proceeding
he said They we're met to do honor
to an old and true friend. Mr.. North
had returned to them after an absence
of Is years TO find that his memory
was still green amongst them and
their friendship and regard for him as
firm and enduring as when he first left
them. They respected him as a man,
they loved him as a friend, and he
counted it a great honor and privilege
to ask them to drink to the health of
SO manly man and SO loyal a COM
rade, a toast which was drunk with
enthusiasm.
Mr.. North, who was visibly affected
on rising to reply said: MIR. Hep
worth and my dear old friends. words
fail me at this moment to adequately
express my thoughts and feelings, out
of full heart l thank you for the
magnificent way you have received
me, for the many tokens of friend :
ship you have showered upon me, for
the innumerable acts you have dis
played TO conduce to my pleasure and
comfort whilst once again l have So
iourned in your midst. Never can !
forget the manifestations of your at
fectionate regard of which / was the
recipient when left these shores ff
teen wears ago, they have been a rich
and abiding memory through all the
wears and they are intensified by your
treatment of me on this occat ion; il
is an imperishable experience. | am
now as you all know fully accredit-
ed citizen of the States OF America
am proud to acknowledge my allegi-
ance and loyalty to the country oil
my adoption. but | can never forget
| would not if | could, that | am E
Lindley mae, and whatever fortune
has in store for me. Lindley and il,
people but more especially its Liberia
cub and its members Will ever claim
very large share of my atfectionatt
regard"
The musical programme was strong
" reminiscent of the days of Auto
Lang Syne and brought back to mine
events and incidents in which the
guest of the evening and members ot
the company had been participants
Glees, songs, duets, with never a re.
fusal to the call of the chairman
whose eloquent introductiOns of thu
various artists were one of the feat
ures of a memorable evening. follow
ed quickly one upon another, by the
Clubs's Glee Party, Messrs. j. II. Hep
worth, George Grassland, Gibson
Haigh. Norris Grassland, Sam Smith
Tom b. Moore, Tom l.. Hirst, VIM
Barron, John Hepworth, James Weir
William Smithics, Herbert Robinson
John Berry.
interviewer between the programme
Mr.. North asked the company L
drink 10 the health of President
Roosevelt and King Edward the sev-
enth and the American and English