The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-08

I speeches so that within an hour after coffee had been served and cigars lighted the exercises were practically at an end.
 The speakers. all of whom spoke up- on the advancement of the spirit Of true Elkdom, were Mayor Edward T. Buckingham, a member of Bridgeport lodge: Edward Leach, grand treasurer of the order and a member of New York Lodge No. 1: John F. Shaush- messy, exalted ruler of New York Lodge No. l; James F. Carroll, secre- | tary of New York Lodge No. l; James T. Smith. past district deputy for Con- necticut and a member of Derby lodge; William F. Burnham. chairman of the house committee of the local lodge; William " Dewitt. past exalted exalted ruler of No. 36: Charles H. Hinman, past exalted ruler and the veteran treasurer of Bridgeport Lodge: Chairman George E. Mccarthy of the Madigan. also of the entertainment committee.
 The other members of the entertain ment committee who arranged the most creditable affair were John Hotz, William J. Lee and William L. Gould
 Past Exalted Ruler Dewitt who was the chairman of the committee which built the new home of the Eils. was given a. rousing ovation, it being his first appearance at a social gathering of the lodge since the occupancy of the club house. At the time of the dedication he was i'll and unable to at tend the ceremonies.
 Everyone spoke in such high terms of Brother Madigan for his skill in ar- ranging the banquet that he simply had to make a speech
 It was about | o'clock this morning when the last cigar was lighted. The Holland Heinies certainly made a hit Their work was almost a du- plicate of their entire Poli sketch and 1t is one of the very best of it's kind that the vaudeville stage can boast of. Miss Priest herself was in ex- cellent voice and spirits and the rous- ing reception which greeted her must have gladdened her heart for it was genuine expression of good cheer. The Heinies responded to several en- cores.
 Miss Boardman's singing was a treat She Is listed on the Poli pro- gram as Miss Lorraine Lester. Pos sessing a soprano voice of rare beauty her rendition of the beautiful songs she selected for the occasion and which were indeed appropriate. captivated the banqueters and the capacious in- terior fairly hummed with the echoes of the applause.
 crest teams in the business. will not soon forget the warmth of the recep- tion which they received and which they so richly deserved. while Chick oeA4G LnG OanClnB buRS assured the diners that they were as tickled to be on hand as the antlers were to have them
 All in all the first grand banquet of the local antlers will go down in Elk history as an affair par excellence. It has established a precedent that will keep future entertainment committees hustling to keep pace with still the local lodge has the brains and the tal- ent and no doubt the next annual will have an event fully in keeping with the initial event which terminated so satisfactorily to the members.
 Grand Treasurer Leach and Exalted Ruler Shaughnessey of No. 1 lodge said afterwards that they had attend ed many banquets throughout the country but the affair of last evening eclIpsed any within their memory They marveled that a lodge in a city the size of Bridgeport was able to furnish such a splendid entertain ment and prepare such an appetizing menu without calling on profession al caterers on the outside.
 The New York antlers came here in an automobile which came through in the storm They left New York at 2:30 and did not arrive here until last night as they met with several mis- haps on the way. When they got here they were drenched to the skin but after ridding themselvs of their sat urated garments and donning their glad raiment they shone as models of sartorial natness
 All of the addresses were eleyatinp and in line with the uplift movement in Elkdom.