South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-10-08
HOLD BANQUET IN
HONOR Of RILEY
Four Hundred Men of Letters
Meet HooSier Poet at
Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS. oct. -Four hun
dred friends Of James WhitcOmb Riley
attended the banuet in honor of his
birthday at the ClaypOOl hotel Thurs
day night Among the guests were
home folks in great numbers and
here were those. too, who came hum
Ireds OF miles 70 have a part in the
celebration that was a demonstration
9f the love and affection the common
people OF the land for the Hoosier
poet
IL was probably the most notable
gathering OF men OF letters at one
table that ever was in this country.
Men who know say that no other liv-
ng man OF letters ever knew such a
tribute as the one paid 10 Mr.. Riley
IN this occasion
The banquet hall was beautifully
decorated. An orchestra Of II pieces
played musical program, the while
the banquet was in progress and at
the conclusion Of the feast, program
or toasts held far into the night.
Fairbanks Toastmaster.
Charles W. Fairbanks was the toast
master. The speakers introduced by
Mr. Fairbanks and the toasts to which
they responded. were
Gov. Ralson, The State of Indi-
ana" Sen John w. Kern. Riley in
the Making" DR.. John II. Finley,
From Cadmus 10 Riley" Young E.
Allison, "Our Southern Cousins" Al
bert j. Beveridge Friendship" Will
liam Allen White, The Day We Cele-
1rate:" George AIDE. The Center Ia
olc;" Col. George Harvey, impromptu.
Scores Of letters and kilograms from
men who were unable TO accept the
invitations 10 attend the banquet were
received by the committee in charge
.f f,-F.. L.
he POSTMASTER, read a number Of
hem. The following came from Pres't
Woodrow Wilson:
Wilson Message AffectiOnate.
The White House, Washington,
sept IL am sorry 10 say il will not
De possible for me to be present at
he banquet which the citizens of In
annapolis are planning 10 give in
1Cnor OF James WhitcOmb Riley on
ais birthday, but / want TO ask you if
TOu viii not be generous enough
% convey TO Mr.. Riley on that occa-
ion. a message OF cordial regard and
admiration from me- / wish that /
night be present TO render my tribute
Of affeCtiOnate appreciation of the
many pleasures he has given me, along
With the rest of the great body of
readers of English. / think he has
very reason 10 feel on his birthday
HAT ilt mas won the hearts OF MS
sountrymen.
Woodrow Wilson"
There were also letters from Henry
WatersOn. oliver Wendell Holmes
Prest Hadley OF Yale, William Dean
HOwells, II. III. Alden, editor OF Har-
pers; Irwin G. Cobb, Walter II. Page,
Henry Van Dyke and Brand Whit
.Ock.
Many others wrote 20 express their
regret at being unable 10 be present
Attends Musical.
In the afternoon Mr.. Riley attended
the presentation OF AN Afternoon
With Riley" a musical and dancing
spectacle produced under the direction
Of Ona b. Talbot. The poet occupied
: box. With him were seve.: friends
William Allen White OF Emporia
Kan. Dr John II. Finley of Albany
y. J.. Ellery Sedgwick. editor Of the
Atlantic Manthly. Boston; Frederick
w. Stevens of New York; Meredith
Nicholson Hewitt Rowland and Ed
mUnd Eitel Of Indianapolis
Exercises in the oets honor were
held Thursday i'm the public schools
throughout Indianapolis and Indiana.