The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-12-25
Colonel Hersey Given
Affectionate Welcome.
Reception in Honor of Returning Traveller
Held at Unitarian Church. San Jose,
Calf

Reception in Honor of Returning Traveller
Held at Unitarian Church. San Jose,
Calf.
[San Jose Mercury Herald, December 9Th
Cordial welcome was accorded Colonel
Philo Hersey, lately returned from six
months abroad, in reception given him
by the members of the Unitarian church
last evening at the church parlors The
reception was informal, for there was
not even receiving line. Colonel Hersey
simply greeted all his friends, then fol-
lowed a program of welcoming speeches
and music, with Mrs. w. S. Orvis, pre-
sident of the Ames alliance, presiding.
Mr.. Hersey' response was kind of il
Illuminated traVelogue, with humor and
legend added-a review of his journey
from the sea voyage at the start to the
return to America, where | saw the
most beautiful scenery and the greatest
number of natural wonders he said.
Several pleasing little ceremonies fol-
lowed the formal program. One was the
presentation Of a huge bouquet of yellow
chrysanthemunls to Colonel Hersey from
the congregation, by Mabel Hersey.
Another was the bringing in of gor-
''Welcome," and significantly made of
prunes, as gift to Mr.. Hersey. Still a
third occurred when the latter produced
a box OF gifts brought from abroad and
proceeded to hand them out-one for
each child in the Sunday school, and for
many of the leading church members
beside. Cake and ice cream were then
served by the alliance members.
The Rev. O. P. Snrout gave the well
come from the congregation, empha-
sizing the affection which all the mem
bers, children as we'll as older people,
felt for Mr.. Hersey, and dwelling on the
latter's manner of doing more than his
share of everything.
WAS AN EARLY MEMBER.
Colonel Hersey first came to this
church years ago, when we were holding
services in Odd Fellows hall" said Mrs.
L. j. Watkins, who represented Ames
alliance in quantity humorous welcome,
land ever since then we have known
where to find him, and been sure of his
long-standing faithfulness.
N. E.Wretman wrote a welcome from
the trustees. read by Andrew P. Hill
Jr., in which he traced Colonel Hersev's
early life as Maine lawyer, known Tor
his integrity, and later years as prom
inent horticultural here.
John G. Jury read an original poem,
Rubbing 1t In, in which he forestalled
any effort Mr.. Hersey might make to set
himself up as much-traveled man.
Miss Rebecca English gave the well
come from the Sunday school, and six of
the children sang pretty little song,
MIR. Jury being the accompanist. Other.
voou1c col 81:
Raymond Bemis. played with his usual
the Arrow and Song" ''Bluebird and
Robin" sung by Mrs. Hillman Smith.
Schubert's Wandering, and s.Come
Out and Greet the Sum- by a plithe and
vital young singer, Miss Ochner. Victor
Ehle and the Countess Knuth were the
accompanies.
Assisting Mrs. Orvis in arrangements
were Mrs. o. P. Shrout and Mrs. Andrew
P. Hill, Mrs. N. E. Wretman, Mrs. A.
T. Herman, Mrs. o. A. Hooker, Mrs. L.
B. Wilson. Mrs. Mable Franklin, Mrs.
John 7. Grant and Miss Amanda Goodrich
Rowlands.
Clusters of toyon berries and smaller
bouquets Of rosebuds and smilax were
effectively placed about the rooms.
TELLS OF TRAVELS.
A harbor celebration at Antwerp with
its historic floats, the children dressed as
bees representing industry, and the 5000
scho0lchildren in their marvelously we'll
drilled little platoons, was one of the
first sights to attract the childloving
observer, who spoke of them as ''dignihed
0bedlent children of good country ruled
by kind king Mr.. Hersey followed