The Calumet news., 1910-02-07
ST. JEAN, CELEBRATION
A BRILLIANT OCCASION
Hundreds of Members of st. Jean
Baptiste Society and Famil-
les at Big Affair.
MUSIC, ADDRESSES, BANQUET

The observance OF the twenty fifth
anniversary of the organization of the
ST. Jean Baptiste society OF Hancock
and Houghton has passed into the hts
tory of the society as one of the most
successful and brilliant gatherings
ever held under the auspices of this
most popular organization of French
residents of Hancock and Houghton.
The large assemblage that gathered on
Saturday evening last in Germania
hall, numbered over six hundred per-
sons, and THE program and banquet
prepared for their enjoyment was one
that fttingly marked the closing of the
first quarter century of successful
work by the st. Jean society.
The evenings entertainment opened
with a grand overture by the full
Quincy band, after which came the
program Of musical and literary fea-
lures heretofore announced, all of
which were given i'm the French tom
que. The selections had been care
fully made from the works of the abl-
est French composers and included
classical and popular numbers, which
were sung with a spirit and a display
of musical ability that indicated the
love of music that fills the soul of
every Frenchman.
lie Chant National Canadien." sung
by quartette composed of Messrs. c,
o. Olivier and e. Thibault and Mes
danes f. Thibault and f. Verville,
with bass solo by c. o. olivier as the
first number was received with
great applause. Then alternately
came addresses by past presidents of
the St. Jean Baptiste society and mu-
sical numbers. Mrs. c. o. Olivier and
Miss A. Belanger gave very pretty
piano and violin duet "Reverie," by
Montaine; a comic song entitled MA
demoiselle Brouillon." sung by Miss
Edna Perrault assisted by the girls
of st. Joseph's school made a big hit
and a duet by Mr.. and Mrs. f. Thi-
bault. lie Pays National" was rem
dered very effectively Miss Ida May
rand rendered a piano solo from
Faust" Mrs f. Verville a charming
vocal solo entitled Romance Drama
tique," and Steven Landry, assisted by
boys Of st. Joseph's school closed the
musical program with the chorus and
song, "Le Chant de la Patrie."
After each musicS, number there
was an address, the speakers for the
most part being each past president
of the society, including Amedee Cor
nellier. who now fills the presidential
office, Phileas Verville, his predecessor
Il. j. Dube, Antoine Grignon, and c
O. olivier. Rev. FIR. Glaser of st. Jo'
seph's church. to which most of those
present belonged, spoke briefly and the
last to speak was Secretary c. E. Rou-
leau. who gave most complete and
interesting history not only of the To-
cal society but also of the order from
the time of it's founding in Montreal
on June "a, 1888, by Ludger DuVernay
nm TO the present time, when 1T com
prises nearly every man OF Frencr
Canadian birth in the United states
Statistics and figures showing the
growth in influence and membership OF
the local society were given. 1t has
now over 400 members in good stand
ing: has received since its organiza
ton. $S6,794,5S; paid out for sick bene'
fits. $21,163.OO; general expenses, Slo''
544.6 SO; balance, s5,0s6s2.
The celebrations of st. Jean Bap-
tiste day held at Hancock or Houghtor
and other observances of various
kinds were mentioned and references
were made to those who had passed
away. numbering thirty-one, the latest
being Eugene Mayrand. who dieo
about week ago. All the past presl-
dents except Zachariah Jacques are
still living and with the exception oi
!. n. Labelle, were all present at Sat
urday nights celebration.
After the conclusion of the program
an elaborate supper was served In the
dining room of Germania hall under
the direction Of the French ladies oil
st. Joseph's church. which feature
brought the big celebration to a close