The Paducah evening sun., 1910-05-05
Paducah Business Men Cele.
brate Return Of Popular
Writer.
Visitor Praises Improved
Public Spirit.
PASSES ROUND A FEW LAUGHS.

Irwin Cobb was the guest of honor
at luncheon given by members of
the Commercial club and friends of
his boyhood days. at the Palmer to-
day. Covers were laid for thirty Ave.
and after the luncheon, Mr.. James C.
IUtterback, as POSTMASTER, called
first on Hon. Hal Corbett for a few
remarks.
In introducing MIR. Corbett, Mr.
Utterback said: "It Is a great pleas
ure for us to meet here to do honor
to Paducah boy who has gone to
the metropolis of this country and
made a reputation for himself as
great humorist. But, we wish to
show Mr.. Cobb that we have other
talent in the old town, a humorist al
most his equal. | have the pleasure
of presenting to you the Hon. Hal s.
Corbett, who will tell you his famous
dog story"
Mr.. Corbett. in replying said. in
part:
81 have been accused Of most ev-
erything, but being a humorist," and
Mr.. Cobb broke In with:
"And most OF them have been
proven, too"
'It is a great pleasure. indeed"
continued Mr.. Corbett. ito assist in
doing honor to a Paducah boy, who
went to New York, unheralded, and
unassisted. and in the short space OF
five years earned for himself place
among the humorists of the day. But
not only is Mr.. Cobb a humorist. He
is philosopher, and he has achieved
a high place in HIS chosen profession.
Only few years after going to New
York, he was selected by his news
paper to represent II at the great
Japan-Russian peace conference. Mr.
Cobb has brought sunshine and
smiles into the lives of many folk.
and l hold that the man who does
this is one of the great benefactors
of people, as much SO as one who
achieves fame in any other endeavor
that tends to benefit his fellow man."
Mr.. Cobb caught his audience with
his fret remark He said:
"Mr. President, Mr. Corbett and
home folks, am proud and happy
and embarrassed to say a few words
to the good people OF the town that
has always been so kind to me.
When l left here a few years ago.
some folks were glad. hope there
are some glad that have returned.
When I first got TO New York. much
to my surprise, there were no brass
bands to meet me at the station.
When | first made acquaintances.
people asked me What is Paducah? 2
They thought II was medicine
Then some asked why Is Paducah?'
So, few of us started Paducah
boosting club, and I am proud to say
nearly everybody In New York now
knows Paducah.
"When I arrived here a few days
ago. the old town looked the same
to me. ! registered at the hotel.
and the next morning started down
BnoadwaW The skyscaper you are
erecting at Fourth street first struck
my eye. and stood and watched the
men work a few minutes. which
find is the principal occupation OF
considerable portion OF your citizens
just now. watched that engine
swinging those iron beams mp In the
air. just as they do In New York.
where. II you are lucky, you are TO
be hit on the head and kalled Just
any dayt And, as | saw the men
throwing and catching the hot bolts
heard some elderly voice say:
They a'int doin' It right"
81 looked around. and there stood
Uncle Joe Potter. would rave
known 1t was he. though. II had
not looked
81 found your hand-shakes just as
hearty as they ever were, when met
my friends, and after some automo-