The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-11-14
NOTABLE OCCASION
;BRANCHVTLLE HONORS EDISTo
RIVER ENGINEERS.

AVA Y $SAs ~>~'
Gave a Most Sumptuous and Elegant
Iy Served Banquet to Them Friday
Night.
The banquet given by the business
men of Branchville on last Friday
evening in honor of the civil engi-
neer CORPS which is now engaged in
surveying the Edisto river for the
United States Government to deter
mine whether the opening of that
stream to navigation for commercial
purposes is feasible, was a most nota-
Bile and delightful occasion, and Will
long be remembered by all who had
the pleasure of participating in it.
Covers were laid for about one hun
dred banqueters, and, as far as we
could gee, there was not a single va
cant seat.
The banquet, which was held III
the largo dining room of the Bass
hotel, was attended by all the busi-
ness and professional men of Branch
Vile and several invited guests from
Orangeburg and other places. The
dining room was handsomely decorat-
ed, and the menu, which consisted OF
all the delicacies Of the season, was
served in the most up-to-date style,
which reflected credit on the man
aeement OF the Bass hotel, which Is
Justly noted for it's excellent cui-
sine and its prompt and efficient SER
vice. The menu was as follows:
Oysters
Olives Pickles Celery
Roast Edisto Pig
Edisto Country Ham
Chicken Salad Potato Salad
Roast Edisto Turkey
Cranberry Sauce
Carolina Rice Potato Chips Green
Peas
BranchTille Rolls Bass Hotel Biscuits
Ice Cream Cake Fruit
Tea Coffee Milk
Cigars
It is needless to say that this most
excellent bill of fare tempted the ap-
petite Of the most fastidious epicu-
rean present, and that full justice was
done to the many good things proVid-
ed for the satisfying of the inner
man. After all had been seated, with
Mayor J. B. Williams, who acted as
toastmaster, at the head of the main
table, a blessing was asked by Rev.
S. D. Bailey, pastor Of the Branch
Vile Methodist church. What fol-
lowed can better be imagined than
described. The remnants of the many
good things that had been provided
were then removed and cigars were
handed around.
Hon. J. B. Williams, mayor OF
Branchville, then made an approprl-
ate address Of welcome, which was
responded to by Mr.. W. S. Fitzsim-
mons, who is chief of the corps of
engineers now surveying the Edisto
river. AS POSTMASTER. Mayor Will
liams then introduced Mr.. W. l..
Glover, who discussed "The Edisto
Project";;- Col. A. H. Marchant, who
convinced all that River Develop
ment Was Good Business Policy;
Mr.. A. M. Handy, who enlightened
as as to the Benefits of River Trans
portation to Inland Cities; Congress-
man A. F. Lever, who clearly proved
every River a Highway" and Col.
E. J. Watson told us How River De-
velopment Aids the Farmer.
All of the above named gentlemen
delivered good speeches, handling
with. ability and eloquence the sub
ject they discussed. In a most en-
tertaining way they brought to the
attention of all who were present
many interesting and instructive facts
in connection with water ways in gen.
eral and the Fdisto river project In
|Iarticulac. This question % ahe op-
en:ng up of our rivers for commercial
purposes is a very fa1 reatfi1g and
important one. and when the people
generally understand its great i'm
polt tance to the prosperity Of the
country they will demand its solution.
After the 6; eaking was concluded
Rev. C.. 3. Smith dismissed the as
sembly with the bencdiction. and at
about one o'clock in the morning the
banqueters went to their beds to
dream Of the pleasant events Of the
evening. We hope every visitor
Jared as we'll as this scribe did in
that particular. He was most hospi-
tably and elegantly entertained at the
beautiful home of Mr.. P. P. Bethea,
who is one of the wide-awake and
progressive business men of Branch
vile. To have been entertained in
this delightful home is privilege We
highly esteem.
The banquet, from start to finish,
was one of the best things Of the kind
that has ever been held in this Sec
ltion of the State, or any other section,
for that matter. We congratulate
the business men of Branchville, who
got up the delightful entertainment,
on it's complete success. 1t demon
strated what can be done when all
the business men of a community pull