The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-18
EVERYBODY WAS WEARING SHAMROCK St. Patrick's Day Observed In
 Birmingham FIG DAY AT PRATT CITY Ancient Order of Hbernians Had a Great Crowd Last Night to Do
 Honor to Memory of Ire
 lands Patron Saint.
FIG DAY AT PRATT CITY

St. Patrick's day was observed here yes- terday by the Americans and all who hold dear the memory of the great apostle of Ireland. Citizens in general wore the shamrock and during the day and evening in the Birmingham district addresses were made appropriate to the occasion.
 The largest celebration was perhaps at Pratt City. The Ancient Order of Hi- bernians attended mass in a body at St. catherines church, where the Very Rev. II. E. O'Grady celebrated mass. From the church the Hibernians and their friends proceeded to the hall where sumptuous dinner was served.
 The Rev Father O'kelly of Birming- ham made an eloquent address at Pratt City and altogether the celebration was one of the happiest ever held there.
 Last night at 7:9O o'clock at the regu- lar Lenten services at St. Paurs church, Birmingham, the Rev. Father Coyie de- livered glowing discourse on St Patrick, and the days celebration closed with an enjoyable entertainment at the Knights of Columbus hall under the auspices Of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the ladies auxiliary. The spacious assem- bly, room was crowded to overflowing.
 The Hibernian programme consisted or music by Goodman's orchestra, piano solo by little Miss Marie Mcclure, song by Miss Alice Fallon, the reading of an original opem by the Rev. Father Coyle, which appeared in The Age-Herald Of Wednesday; a recitation of St Patrick Day Toast by Dolly Dalrymple in The Age-Herald by Mrs. Laura & Webb a .bo +ali, h. ba TDr n w SfaQP pastor of the First Presbyterian church; recitation by Mrs. J. C. Sullivan and a recitation by Mai w. P. German. Sterling A. Wood was to have delivered an ad- dress, but his absence from the city caused this feature of the programme to be omitted
 M. E. Linnehan, state president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, presided and introduced those taking part in witty and felicitous words.
 Dr. Stagg did not make a set address, but paid tribute to the memory of St Patrick, pointed out and praised some Of the fine traits of the Irish people and told number of lively jokes. When he rose to speak the audience greeted him with hearty applause. Dr. Stagg said ha would not touch on denominatlonal df- ferences, but remarked with characteris- tic drollery that he had always been taught that St. Patrick was a Presby- teran. He said that no people could ever become ignoble so long as they revere1 the names of their great and good men. St. Patrick, he thought, was one Of the worlds greatest characters.
 Referring to Presbyterians Dr. Stagg said they moved slowly. History has got it wrong said he. in making it ap- pear that the people who went down into Egypt were Jews They were not Jews but Presbyterians, for it took them 40 years to travel 300 miles,"
 Dr. Stagg said he had spent some time in Ireland when he was a boy and many of his pleasantries related to his ex- perience in the Emerald Isle. He kept his hearers amused throughout his re- marks
 Mrs. Webb created merriment when she said in prefacing her recitation, If any one here fails to subscribe to The Age Herald that person misses good deal would rather go without my breakfast than go without The Age-Herald."
 After the programme was ended the chairs were removed from the floor and young couples danced until midnight.