Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1911-07-27
COAL DEALERS MEETING
A FEW DAYS SPENT WITH
THEM IN TWIN CITIES
REV. CRISP'S EXPERIENCES
Attends the Annual Meeting of
the Northwest Association.
Has a Good Time. Tells
interestingly of His
Visit With Them

Mr. Editor:
Vacation Days" having appeared on
schedule time, we were given respite
from the usual routine and having
received kindly invitation to accom-
pany Mr.. Emmett Forbes on visit to
the Northwestern Coal Dealers Con-
vention at the Twin Cities, we quietly
boarded an eastbound express and hied
ourselves away to Minnesota's empor-
ium; they are called the Twin Cities"
no doubt because they were born about
the same time, and to the strangers
have certain resemblances and are
growing together all the while.
Our train rolled into the Milwaukee
depot, Monday morning, July 10. We
at once discovered our position. The
putting locomotives, noisy switch
engines, rumbling express wagons, and
the onward rush of unending crowds
indica ted to us that we were being
swallowed by mighty leviathan of
commerce. The Jonah story is not
improbable in a sense when you are
set down in Minneapolis.
Forbes sized the situation up for a
moment and said to the writer in his
quaint way, "a fellow can live long
time here in little while. Can't he,
Crisp?" | felt that the remark was
competent, relevant and proper cross
examination and so 'stood pat.
After Mr.. Forbes had carefully assis-
ted two of his children to get aboard
Northwestern train, for visit in old
Wisconsin, we pressed our way through
the throng, lodged numerous autoes.
raced out TIE way of trolly cars, fin
ally reaching the great Security bank
building where many prominent coal
dealers have offices. We assembled in
an elevator, that rose like a flying
machine-to the upper floors. During
tt e ascent we had strangely quamish
feeling in the abdominal regions.
While we were going up we felt that
everything we had aboard was coming
up also, but it was soon over and we
found ourselves in spacious office rooms.
Here we met several local coal dealers,
among, others Mr.. Geyer, splendid
fellow, who left nothing undone in
making our visit both pleasing and
profitable.
Our programs indicated that all dele
gates were to register at the West
hotel, therefore to this retreat we at
once repaired, Forbes put his name
down and when the clerk asked, us
your friend a coal dealer?" Emmett
replied, I'm coal dealer at Webster,
S. D., and this man, who is with me, lis
engaged in calling that is designed
to keep men from shoveling coal when
they get across the river"
Upon this showing my name was
placed upon the favored list, a button
pinned on my lapel and we were given
all the rights and privileges incident to
the convention. After lunch at the
Columbia Cafe" which from a gas
tronomic and Iculinary standpoint. was
all that could be desired, where choicest
fried fish, fresh from the lakes,
together with mashed potato, and
cocoanut pie gave complete sotisfac-
ton.
Early in the afternoon, seated in the
beautiful assembly room at the West
hotel, we listened to the inspiring
Opening Exercises. A choir, con-
sisting of two ladies and two gentle
men, was introduced and sang selec-
ton from Mascagnis-"C avaleria Rus
ticana," whereupon receiving a
tumultuous encore, they responded by
giving US an Aria, Because / Love
You So" by Verdi NV! such singing
as it was; SO well balanced and such
fine voices. 1t was rare treat indeed
Those voluptuous tones ring in my ears
yet.
The governors private secretary
brought greetings from the chief execu-
tive of Minnesota who was necessarily
absent. Hon. Mr.. Haynes, the mayor,
was next introduced and gave most
fitting address of welcome. The dis
tinguished official gave us some rare
thoughts upon municipal government.
He thought city, like an individual,
should have good character. He held
that city should reflect the highest
ethical standards Of its citizenship. He
said his continued policy was to make a
clean, beautiful and up-to-date city.
He called attention to the colleges,
museums. libraries, art and musical