The Ocala evening star., 1910-04-15
THE RIFLES BANQUET

uuS I'LL e6V OUvVO6u
For a good many years the Ocala
Rifles have given a banquet each year.
The manager of the Star, who was
member of the Ocala Rifles twelve
years ago. has attended most of these
banquets for the past dozen years and
they have always been joyous occa-
sions and successfully conducted. The
feast last night. however. in many
ways surpassed them all and was pro-
nounced by every one who was for
tunate enough to be present TO have
been feast for both body and mind
The banquet hall was prettily ar
ranged The long tables reaching al
most across the entire hall, were ar
ranged in the shape of a huge A for
Company A. Third Battalion, Florida
State Troops. There was a small ta-
BILE at the apex of the letter where
sat Toast Master Major l. T. Izlar.
Capt. ]. NJ Graham and Adjutant
Joseph Bell. \ larger table towards
the foot on the inside made the cross
bar Of the letter. There was also an
other table in the corner of the room.
to make room for all. Covers were
laid for 100 and there were not half
a dozen vacant chairs.
Mrs. Carrie Arms of the Arms House
had charge Of the banquet and with
her staff of efficient help from the
house prepared the repast, spread the
tables and attended to the service. and
never was a dinner better prepared or
served.
The tables were covered with snow
white linen and many vases of lovely
IL !.
ner was a full course affair: turkey,
delicious salads, olives. pickles, bread.
ham, etc, with coffee, cake, ice cream
and punch. all that one could possibly
eat and drink and of the very best
followed by cigars for those who
smoked
Afater all had eaten till they could
hold no more, Toast Master Izlar then
arose and made a short but happy talk
in a light vein on the regret he felt
in the passing of the shining brass in
the militia. He regretted the absence
OF the glittering brass buttons on the
new uniforms of the rifemen. He
considered 1t half of the lure of the
military since history began and men
fought with arms. 1t was a relic of
the past, a custom of the middle ages
that has come on down to the present,
and in his case, he said, was half
the battle during the civil war. At in
tervals through the evening the toast
master gave many pleasing little
"reminiscences and anecdotes that had
come under his observation.
The others who spoke We're Messrs.
H. NJ. Hampton. r. r. Carroll, c. L.
Anderson. l.. w. Duval. w. T. Gary.
Judge Joseph Bell, Geo. w. Martin. j.
ID
win Pittman, F. W. Ditto, Z. T. Hell
venston. W. c. Dunn, ]. \. Bouvier
and Leland Smoak, all either present
past members of the company with
the exception of Messrs. Duval and
Bouvier
Space does not admit of us stating
what the different speakers said. Many
bright things were uttered and many
touching remiscences on the past
years of the old company and many
ideas advanced for its Improvement
and much for its praise. All of those
present were united in believing that
the citizens of Ocala should give more
encoura cement to the Rifles, not in
money, for they generally get what
they need in that respect. but in their
moral support. 1t was stated and and
rightly, too. that many good young
men were prevented from joining the
company through the fear Of losing
their positions should they be called
out of town on police duty or to state
encampment. This policy is wrong,
and should be discouraged. There
We're several employers of men present
who favored the Rifles and stated that
they were not only willing but anxious
for their employees to belong to the
company.
There were a good many of the
older members of the company present
and all of the present enrolment. with
the exception of some out of town
members. Many young men. eligible
for and desired members of this
splendid company We're present and
their desire TO join the Rifles must
have been whetted by what they saw
and heard last night.
The Ocala Rifles now comprises 62
men and only one commissioned Of
ficer. Capt J. NJ Graham. The Offices
Of first and second lieutenant are
both vacant but are soon TO be filled
by election. The company has long
record of brilliant achievements and
almost perfect service and has long
been counted one of the crack COM
panies of the state troops. They
merit and should have the hearty
support of the city. 1t is an organi-
Zation that is needed badly and right
now, when it is needed, and it is then
too late to supply the need. if il doesn I
exist. Give the company your support.
If your employees want 10 join let
them do so; every young man should
serve a term in the state militia; ii IS
good for him and a duty he owes his
state.
The banquet last evening broke up
at 1890 and will long be remembered
as one of the most pleasant occasions
of the stag persuasion that has been
held in Ocala.
AS the gathering was ready to ad
journ at the suggestion of Mr.. Duval,
Mr.. Moorhead led in three cheers for
the Ocala Rifles, which were given
most heartily.