The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-10-13
De La Sale Council, Knights of Co
umbus, Had Splendid Social
Gathering in Hall Last
Evening.
LUNCHEON AND TALKS
Principal Speaker of the Evening Was
Brother Lewis o'connor Of
Hannibal-IIinois OBJ
served Day.

The 4lltn anniversary OF the ldHu-
ing of Christopher Columbus on
American soil after months of trials
and tribulations in preparing for his
first voyage, was fittingly celebrated
in Keokuk and throughout the country
last evening by the Knights of Column
bus, The anniversary has been given
the name of Columbus Day." and
many states throughout the country
have already made it legal holiday
and others are fast following in their
footsteps The latest state to recog
nize the day is Illinois, the first cele-
bration being held yesterday in CON-
memoration of the event.
The entertainment and luncheon in
De La Sale council, Knights of Co
lumbus hall last evening was in full
charge of John Crongin, the newly
elected lecturer and the affair was
handled in masterful manner. Abil-
fly was displayed by the new officer
in affording entertainment and the
evening was thoroughly enjoyed
Hon. Lewis O'Connor, young Han
nibal attorney. made the principle
y
forty minutes entertained the large
gathering with a sketch of the life
of Columbus during the time in which
he was forced to struggle desperately
to accomplish his great achievement.
He spoke of the mission Columbus had
to perform, of his travels from place
to place in search of funds and assist
~ no
at the convent of La Robida and at
another was ushered before the court
of Isabella of Spain. He brought out
number of interesting features of
Columbus life especially as concerned
in these years in which he made his
tory. Brother O'Connor proved an e1o
quent speaker and splendid enter
tainer.
Among the other speakers were
Rev. George Giglinger, D. D., pastor
of st. Mary's Catholic church; John
Kelly, Father Patrick O'Reilly, pastor
of ST Peters Catholic church, John
B. Walsh, T. J. McGrath, John
Chandler and Nicholas Burns
Joseph S. Mcnamara, grand knight
was postmaster.
The menu consisted of oyster stew
sandwiches, olives, pickles, waters
celery and cigars.
Observed at Quincy.
Quincy council also fittingly observ
ed the day, for the first time the ami
versary being made a legal holiday
in the state of Illinois. Hon e. P
McManus of this city was one of the
principle speakers of the evening. The
Wing speaks in part as follows:
Columbus Day" the newest of all
legal holidays in this state, named in
honor of the anniversary of the dis
covery of America by Christophe>
Columbus four hundred and seventeen
years ago yesterday, was observed b.
the members of the local council on
the Knights of Columbus. No. $50, at
their hall on Maine street. between
Fifth and Sixth, last evening with a
big banquet
The banquet was the feature of the
celebration of the day in the city.
During the day the banks, courts and
county officers were closed in observ-
ance of the new law which was
passed at the last meeting Of the state
legislature, creating the legal holiday.
A number Of other states have also
aside the day as legal holiday in
honor of the great discoverer and eff
forts are being made to make Oct -,
Columbus Day, a holiday in all of the
states of the Union During the aft
ernoon yesterday the members of the
knights Of Columbus held open house
at their hall
Speeches Were Made.