Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-02-04

One of the most important meetings
in the history of our city was held in
the hall of the First National bank
building, last evening; it was the oc-
casion of the merchants banquet, to
which had been invited as guests OF
honor, prominent officials of the G. NJ.
& St. Paul R'y Co. aud the q. Il n. w.
R'y Co., both OF which roads enter our
city.
The taEles were arranged IN V shape,
at the base of which was a table at
which sat the presiding officer and the
guests of honor. The tables were deco
rated with Towering plants and cut
flowers, and at each plate was carna-
ton. There were plates laid for IS per-
sons and about all places were occu-
pied 1t was certainly a body of men
of which any city might well feel proud
and to the;a well arranged plans was
due most successful evening.
The plan was to secure the attend
ance of the leading officials Of the roads
mentioned, have an interchange of
opinions on various questions which
are of vital interest to the merchants,
railroads and city'in general, and to
institute movement that would bring
about better acquaintanceship
When supper had been served and
cigars passed, James Montgomery, the
POSTMASTER of the evening, made the
Introductory address. He congratu-
lated the merchants fol having turned
out such a large representative body;
that such occasions brought them closer
together in spirit and sympathy, and
helped to tear down the walls that sep
arate in these strenuous times, when we
are apt to ignore the rights of the other
fellow and magnify our own. He said
that it was especially gratifying to have
as the honored guests the representa-
tives of two of the largest roads in the
country and to touch elbows with Them
as many of the merchants had been pat
rons of their roads ever since they en-
tered the city; there is no reason why
the patrons of their roads should not
be as close to the management as the
patrons of the Illinois Central are down
in Egypt. THE mercantile, manufac
turing and banking interests of our city
were reviewed, as well as the quartz
granite and dairy industries of this Sec
ton. He said that Boston had the
unique distinction of sharing with Wau-
sau the honor of paying every railroad,
mercantile manufacturing and person
al check that was presented, in cash.
Mr.. Montgomery made an ideal toast
/ master, introducing the speakers in a
way that provoked much laughter, and
which is so essential to success in gath
erings of this kind.
Mr.. Montgomery first Introduced
Mayor M H. Duncan, who welcomed
the railroad officials to our city.
The visitors present were ID. c..
Cheney, Asst. Gen. Supt. G. M. q st. 2.
BY; j. NJ Davis, Asst. Gen. Freight
Agt., G. M. q St. P. Ry.; II. c. Cheyney,
Asst. Gen. Freight Agent, G. & N. w.
Ry. and g. j. Quigly, Supt. Division
G. & N. w. Ry, at Amigo.
These gentlemen were called upon
and spoke at length upon the various
departments of their respective roads.
giving very valuable information to our
men of business. Many interesting
things were related pertaining to the
early history of our city. ID. G.
Cheney told of the time he was agent at
Tomah some thirty years ago, and how,
at that time, all of the business of this
section became very familiar to him
Showing that, though now OCCUPYING a
high station, he must be perfectly famil-
lar with the conditions of the valley.