Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-31
Testimonial Banquet for Collins,
Gardner and Gutterson At
tended by $50 Admirers.
SILVER CUPS FOR HEROES
Gifts from Citizens of Burlington
and the University-State
Joins in Unsurpassed
Tribute.

Ray Collins, Larry Gardner, and A.
l.. Gutterson, Vermont's big trio of ath-
letic heroes, were guests OF honor Tuesday
night at the Hotel Vermont, at a banquet
rendered them by the citizens of Burling-
ton and the University of 1t
was by all odds the biggest event of the
kind ever held in the State. More than
go sat down to the tables in the main
dining room.
Mayor Robert Roberts acted as toast
master and the speakers were President
Guy Potter Benton of the university,
CONGRESSMAN Frank L. Greene of st. AL
bans, Lieut.. Governor Frank L. Howe of
bennington. the Hon. Joseph A. DeBoer
of Montpelier. Charles A.. Pumley of
Mortified and r. II. Murnane. veteran
baseball editor OF the Boston Globe.
Lieut.-Governor Howe represented the
State in the absence of Governor Fletcher.
The student body turned out to the
number of over 200 n during the banquet
kept up a constant string of old familiar
songs. Collins. Gardner and Gutterson
were escorted to the hotel in an automo-
bile by the students, headed by the col
lege band. A crowd of fully 30 citizens
and fans had gathered in the lobby Of the
hotel in the meantime to greet the three
guests Of honor. A cheer went UP as they
entered the hotel n tho students helped
out the enthusiasm with three rounds OF
the Vermont yell.
When the word came that the doors OF
the dining room were to be opened there
was a good natured cranbl to obtain
places. President Benton led the students
who formed two-by-two and marched to-
ward the dining room. Thanks to the
splendid management of Max l.. Powell.
Manager Collamer and those in charge.
there were seats for every one and the
courses moved along in perfect order and
with speed.
The guests Of honor and other invited
guests were seated at the speakers table
which extended the entire length Of the
cast side of the dining room.
"TESSIE' STARTS ENTHUSIASM.
During the first course the orchestra
played 'Tessie'' and this paved the way
ior the students to cut loose with all the
lent up enthusiasm they possessed. 'Tes-
Sic was followed by al anvil Chorus"
On the water glasses which left a few
hicks in the hotel silverware but served
to express the delight of the students at
having their heroes with them.
\ feature of the banquet was the
Presentation to Collins. Gardner and
Guttorson each by President Benton. on
behalf of the citizens of darlington and
the university. of n beautiful silver cup
suitably inscribed.
\ rousing isis boom, Vermont and one
long cheer for Collins, Gardner and
Guttorson each started the speech maxi
Ing. Mayor Roberts rose to introduce
the speakers at 1890 O'Clock.
Fellow fans said the mayor, 1--WE
were heroes once ourselves but no one
got the band out for us. We were not wise
to hits and slides but we We're grounded in
the studies Of barn base and 'one-o'-
cat The mayor caused a scream by
declaring that he first invented the
drop" but was eliminated from the
game to give place to a youth with bigger
paws.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR HOWE.
The toastmaster first introduced Lieut.
Gov, +. e. Howe. who said he had been
asked to say something for the State OF
Vermont. He said that such a request
was nonsense when there We're so many
young men present who would say q
great deal for Nernont during the next
~ years.
Mr.. Howe said that while the names
of Vermont boys were filling the head
lines of the big newspaper in this coun-
try n Europe. no one was needed to
say more for Vermont. Mr.. How said
he played baseball once as a second
substitute and was put in as a pinch
hitter and struck out and had to sit down
and he thought 1t was time for him to
sit down again.
Charles A Plumley. speaker of the
House. said that while he was a grad
uate Of Norwich he felt at home in
last nights gathering. He declared
It was a fact that 1t was
necessary to get up early to get ahead
Of Vermont. Men. he said, have gone
out OF the State who have mad a
mark rs Collins, Gardner and Gutter
son have, and others would go out
also who would make a like credible
record.
The Hon. Joseph a. DeBoer, when
called upon, spoke numorously of his
knowledge of baseball and succeeded
In getting a laugh every Mr..
DeBoer said that the Boston-New York
games reminded him of the goat and
the garden swing. The goat butte
the swing but the swing came back
and butted the goat into the cabbage
patch.
PRESIDENT BENTON.
Mayor Roberts next presented Presi-
dent Benton as a friend of athletics
md all other things cool and lively.
president Benton said he was speak
ing for II unit in the city, compose1
of the city Of Burlington and the Uni
versTty of Vermont. He touched on
the friendly feeling that existed be-
tween the city and the university and
the pride of the state in the three
young men whom they ha1 come ia
honor. There was a peculiar pride
he said, In the fact that Collins. Gard
her and Gutterson We're native Yer
monters.
1t was fitting said the speaker. that
the cIty and State should honor the
men who had brought honor to the
State. Speaking OF the athletic side
of life, he said it was absolutely
necessary that men have relaxation.
The men who have gone out to ex'
cell in athletics are worthy of honor
said tho speaker. President Benton
said that his mission was somewhat
different than the other speakers. in
GSn ia NJ IA had IN a tn the