The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-14
AMERICA IS SUNG
AS SESSION OPENS
Meeting Of Virginia Federation Of
Momcn's' Clubs Opens With
Patriotic Song.
HEARTY GREETINGS EXTENDED
a Number OF Cordial Addresses
OF Welcotne--Ofiiccrs Make
Their Reports.
tsneelal t. Tie rlnles. Dispatch. /

fspecial.to The Tinles-Dispa.chl
BEDFORD CITY, VA, May 13.-The
first annual convention OF the Virginia
Federation OF Women's Clubs was for
maIly opened this morning by the
president. Mrs. James II. Kyle, OF
Lynchburg. in the parish house of st.
Johns Episcopal Church. which In
honor of the OCCASION was decorated
about the vostrum with graceful palms.
Boston ferns, other potted plants and
cut flowers, without which, In Bed
ford no function of hospitality or Of a
public social character is considered
complete.
The first number OF tho program
was the singing by the contcntion Of
America" led by quartet composed
of Mrs. S. II. Burt, Mrs. W. S. Frost Of
Richmond; Messrs. z. G. Burks and
Andrew Carper. Mrs. II. L. Elliott ac-
companist This was followed by an
invocation by Rev. Dallas Tucker. rec
tor Of the Episcopal Church.
MY Old Kentucky Home" was then
sung by the quartet, after which. In
behalf Of the Bedford Library Associa
ton, Mrs. Walter Ruan, the president.
delivered the address of welcome. a
composition SO graceful bright and
charming that 1t was received with
III
ford as the first club to join the fed
GRAFTON: Bedford had the distinction OF
being the first county in the State to-
respond to Governor Letcher's call for
troops to resist Federal armed inva-
sion. sending three companies to the
front, and of It's chief glory and
pride-the matchless peaks Of otter.
She welcomed the guests to the homes
and hospitality of the small city and
all its natural attractions.
Mrs. Caldwell Makes Response.
Mrs. NJ NJ. Caldwell, president OF the
Civic Betterment League. of Roanoke.
responded In happy style. the burden
Of her theme being "Woman's Clubs
as an Uplift Mocement in Modern Pro-
gress." dwelling especially upon the
work OF civic improvement for general
betterment She paid a most glowing
and graceful tribute to Judge E. c.
Burks, son of Bedford. whose career
in law and as a judge of the Court of
Appeals. was parallel with that of
Marshall. Virginia's most famous jurist
in the early history OF Virginia.
Mrs. A. B. Darlington, of the We'd
nesday Afternoon Club. of Danville.
then came forward and briefly though
gracefully presented the president with
gavel in behalf OF her club which
was appropriately received by Mrs.
Kyle.
Greetings were now in order. when
first Mrs. Emma Fox. of Detroit, Mich,
extended gracious welcome from the
general federation; Mr.. S. S. Lambeth,
Jr.. president of the Bedford City Civic
Improvement League, next advanced to
the rostrum and though pretending to
be terribly frightened at being the only
man remaining in the hall, made BRIEF
address so bubbling with fun and good
taste that he brought down the house.
and at its conclusion hastily left the
hall overcome with modesty. he said
Mrs. Robert B. Clayton made most
cordial welcome as regent of the local
chapter of the D. A. r. Mrs Nelson
Sale was graceful and gracious In ex-
tending welcome from the William R
Terry Chapter, U. D. C.S Mrs. W. S.
Paxton, of Danville. the secretary, read
the greeting from Mrs. Sarah Plate
Decker. the president Of the general
federation, expressing regret that she
could not attend.
Mrs. ]. w. Lish made the report on
the committee on credentials.
Presidents Annual Report.
Mrs. I.ucian Cooke, of Roanoke, was
called to the chair, While Mrs. Kyle
read her report. which was an able,
earnest paper, full of thought and high
purpose for club life OF women.
Mrs. ". T. Harris, Of Danville. first
vice president. being detained at home
by a recent affection. no report was
made.
At roll call twenty-five delegates
were present. Miss Elizabeth Gish, the
corresponding secretary, made an adj
mirable and interesting report. noting
the withdrawal from membership of
club of Pulaski and one Of Christians
burg. and the addition of club of
Beverly Manor and the Trained Nurses
Association of Lynchburg.
Reports OF standing committees and