The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-24
RICHMOND MAN CHOSEN
FOR HIGH POSITION
Nv. T. Shepherd Elected by
Commercial Travellers at
Parkersburg "Details
of Interesting Trip.

Richmond Council, No. 15o. United
Commercial Travellers, held Its monthly
meeting last night in smithdehl Hall,
the principal feature being the report
of the delegation which attended the
twelfth annual convention Of the grand
council at Parkcrsburg, w. VA last
week. The report ID as follows:
ION Tuesday night Mry 18th, most
happy crowd OF commercial trayeiefs let,
and potomac Railroad for Parkersburg. w.
VA. to attend the twelfth annual oonyen-
ton ~ the Grand Council Of Kentucky; w
GINA. West Virginia. Maryland ana Distriet
Q, Columbia United Commercial Travellers OF
America The party was composed OF
Messrs. A.. ]: Hun, 3. Nelson. y; -.
y. b. Mooers. K q. wright John B. Taylor,
Ii. II. Wright and w, T, Shepherd.
Richmond Union Depot.
1.-THE trip to washington was uneyentful,
the time being occupied for the most part
In exchange OF greetings and expressions ~
the contemplated pleasure OF the Pafkers-
burg convention AZ washington tnings ns-
Inond thirteen began tour OF inspection Of
the magnificent new depot. incidentally try
Ing 70 locate the e%i, rem me tfaia q, 70.
600. 600 structure. Both OF which having
been found and utilized, we we're escorted
by representative OF the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad. who was there to meet and
pilot us TO our Pullman and over his ROAD
to Parkersburg, through the many Interest
ing and beautiful parts OF the large build
Ing. The sight made US dream Of the grand
union depot which has been so often planned
in the minds OF Richmond people. but
which, sad to say, is yet pipe dream
At Parkersburg.
ARRIVING at Parkersburg we we're met by
n delegation from Parkersburg Council.
United Commercial Travellers, headed by
line large brass band and marched In due
Ilere We registered we're handed the official
program and invitations. badges, etc, and
assigned TO our hotel After dinner the
Richmond thItteen were lost in the crowd
OF the lobby OF the hotel as they greeted
and exchanged views With the delegates
there assembled. Parkersburg was elabo-
rateiy decorated for the occasion. and at
night brilliantly illuminated Actoss Market
Street which is the principal business thor
oughfare, was u magnificent welcome arch,
studded with electric lights OF the United
Commercial Travellers colors-blue. white
and gold Under and around this arch. and
from one end of Market Street TO the other,
were gathered IL seemed TO me, every In
habitant OF tho town. men, women and
children. all in carnival delight. The boys
not SLOW In getting next and from 8 O'Clock
until after midnight the pretty girls with
which Parkersburg abounds, and the bash
ful commercial travellers. who owned the
town for the time being. waged merry
war with confetti. tin horns and the Ike.
Everybody was good natured, and Parkers-
Dug seemed to nave but one purpose. and
that purpose. everything that the word hos
pitnble could mean Many of the boys took
the a. ~ O. b. degrees This is the social
onry-
Keys of the City.
Thursday morning the public opening
exercises were held. and we were graciousIy
wlecomSi 10 this city by Mayor pedigo.
formerly from Virginia, and presented with
q massive Yale lock key which we were
told would be the passport anywhere within
his Jurisdiction. The police-stations were
locked and the key thrown in the Ohio River
10 be hshed out only after our departure.
Grand Councillor ConHell accepted the Key.
and in we'll chosen remarks thanked the
Mayor and his people. ! cannot describe the
male chorus OF about hundred ~ell-traiued
voices as they interspersed the exercisss
with national songs nor can tell you Of
the applause that went up from the dele
rendered Ay Old Kentucky Home Garry
Mo Back to Old Virginia. Maryland. Ny
MARYLAND Dixie and My Country. It's OF
peIsonal observation.
AT 2 o'clock the delegates to the conven-
ton buckled down TO business. while the
friends. sailed down the Ohio for trip to
BIennerhassett Island. Thursday night We
eli attended the Wheeling Council. United
Commercial Travellers Ministries. and enjoy
ed rare treat OF U. C. r. Jokes and FUN
making. appealing mostly to members OF the
craft
Friday the convention was In session
again until O'clock, when the great parade
was formed. It quite an imposing pag-
cont The officers OF the Grand Council and
various councils nearly all of them in some
kind Of a uniform and many OF them ridicU-
lous In their get up, followed. and behind
them came about fifty floats. representing
the large business houses of the town. Some
of these floats were exceedingly handsome.
and all Of them highly creditabie. Rich
tFrH Law
We're very attractive and created favorable
comment wherever they passed. This hat
was worn by the thirteen during the entire
stay in the city. and served as a means OF
Identification when we became separated.
Friday evening were We're entertained by
a reception and dance at both the Elks'
Club and tho Country Club. and here was
seen to even greater advantage the many
beautiful women OF ParkersburS These af-|
fairs We're entirely Informal and greatly
enjoyed by all present. Saturday morning
some of us rested from the labors of the
week. while others went to Marietta, o.. in
q trolley party. and visited the glass facto-
ries and other places of interest In the quiet
little town of Marietta, at lunch being en-
tertained by Marietta Council, United Com
ersburg at O'clock. During Saturday az
ternoon and evening farewells We're said. and
al Lao Sunday morning we left Parkersburg
for home. The return trip was safely made
arriving here Sunday night at $40
Gavel Presented.
"This communication would not be com
tplete We're l TO fail to mention an incident
that occurred Friday afternoon when our
brother, w. T. Shepherd. was escorted to
his seat as the newly elected grand coun-
cilor. distinguished honor. and one that he
has faithfully earned. AS soon as the APP
pluase ceased the permission of the floor
was secured by Brother A. ]. Huff. who in
ar appropriate and feeling address presented
Brother Shepherd with a beautiful gavel.
the gift OF his fellow-members of Richmond
Council. No. 159, This gavel was made OF
ivory. ebony. silver and gold. and Is rare
work of the jewelers. art. During the pre-
.sentation the interest in the entire conven-
itlon hall was intense and at its conclusion
time the grand councillors voice could not
be heard above the uproar The gift was
accepted by Brother Shepherd in voice
clicked with deepest emotion and eyes filled
with tears.' w.
nnnInAlT Or nllTnIlAlAl