The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1908-01-24
Norfolk Driving Club Entertains Visit.
ina North Nebraska Horsemen.

the ONnard hotel, where the Norfolk
driving club gave a smoker and ban
Quet complimentary to the delegates
who came to Norfolk for the annual
meeting of the north Nebraska race
circuit In addition to the guests from
away the banquet was attended by a
number of Norfolk citizens who have
been prominent supporters of the driv-
ing club in its efforts to promote rae
ing in Norfolk.
The banquet was an affair Of mo-
ment in north Nebraska racing affairs.
1t brought to a score of prominent
north Nebraska men, the men who are
back of the racing circuit, an appre-
citation of Norfolks hospitality and
good will. 1t brought to a score of
Norfolk men q clearer realization of
the importance of the racing circuit in
promising good fellowship and commu-
nifty of interests in north Nebraska.
The banquet as a banquet was
pleasing success. But more important
than the banquet features was the
good feeling and enthusiasm that was
generated among those who sat at the
long banquet table.
n. A. Huse acted as POSTMASTER.
1t was 10 o'clock when the banquet
table was cleared and the first speak
er introduced The toasts were infor-
NAL, were uniformly short and to the
point and were graced with humor.
At no time did the speaking drag, the
banquet coming to a close before IL
o'clock.
President G. II. Groesbeck of the
Norfolk driving club was commended
to the ranks of professional horsemen
as dealer in ponies" Mr.. Groes-
beck spoke on How glad we are that
we are here and that you who are,
are here" Among other things Mr..
Groesbeck discussed the increasing
popularity of the racing sport in Nor
folk. Up to last summer, he said, a
great many people had thought racing
just money making scheme. Last
summer brought enlightenment and
Norfolk people were seen to appreci-
ate a good meet. With good crops
and with the Northwestern road still
running, Mr.. Groesbeck predicted that
the Norfolk race meet would be big
ger success than last summer. He
depressed Norfolks pleasure in enter
tanning her guests of the evening.
President Galley of Creighton, "the
high mogu1 of north Nebraska racing,
spoke few good words on How
horsemanship draws men together in
association" He found his subject il
Illustrated in the difference between
Norfolks splendid reception in 1905
and the greeting of two years before
when P. NJ. Barrett seemed the only
man in evidence.
POSTMASTER Huse in commenting or
how horse racing had drawn north
: Nebraska closer together and hat
ular study, introduced John Hancock
of Stanton as man who twenty year!
before had seen the first racing NEE
ever held in Norfolk. After some
thing along the line of reminiscenc'
Mr.. Hancock paid Norfolk a prett.
compliment for its reception, recalling
that only two years ago the delegates
had had to hunt for place to meet
And this is not to be our last visi
to Norfolk" remarked the Stanton
t man.
| Two years more would give thu
: north Nebraska circuit remarkable
, position, Secretary Rynearson of Mad
: ison predicted if the circuit town
: would only stand together. Replying
: to a jest of the POSTMASTER Mr.. Ry
I nearson admitted that he had beel
sent to the meeting with his hand
: tied but when he saw the interest tina
S was manifested he was glad that h
d had come even with his hands tied.
: Burt Mapes was introduced as "a
t honest lawyer" The Norfolk attorne
S thereupon explained that he had wor
! dered all evening why he was the onl
), lawyer present. Mr.. Mapes spoke c
a the welcome that Norfolk was gla
S to give her visitors and said that h
e hoped that next summer Ncrfol
t would be able to welcome the rae
S visitors to a race track which the cit
a would own. Credit for the passag
d of the bill under which Norfolk is
e be asked to vote $4,000 park bonds h
e gave to Neigh.
After a few minutes of light fu
II with his own profession as banke
s C. f. Burnham said that the short shil
l. ment circuit had come in at an oppo
= tune time when the people were lool
y ing for amusement as they never ha
D. before in this western country. Speal
r ing of the reception accorded the CT
IS cult two years ago Mr. Durham sal
" that at that time the circuit was a
untried experiment in territol
E. where many another circuit had faile
e But it had been shown that horse ra
c. es conducted on honest principle
:. brought success though failure in
e, nances and crowds would be expectt
e, if every racing was put on a gamblir
h. basis.
r, Mr., Burnham spoke in appreciate
V. of the officers of the Norfolk drivlI
d. club, whom he credited with much
o. the added vim of last years Norfo
Y, races, Charlie Groesbeck, "energeti