The Palatka news and advertiser., 1915-04-09
THE ANTLERED HOSTS
HAVE OWNED PALATKA
Most of the Present Week
Annual State COnven-
ton B. P. O. E.
Hosts of Delegates and Visitors Have
Made City Gay With Fun and
Frolic.

$ Made Slty LAY With FUN and
e Frolic.
If Hon. Howell Davis, by the grac
of Florida Elkdom president of tn
State Convention of the "Best Peopl
, on Earth" had been engaged in tn
>, manufacture of weather instead o
sordid silos and circular cypres
tanks, it is doubtful if he could hav
surpassed Providence in the sclubri
BUSINESS of the sunshine and shadow
which have overhung Palatka during
the past week
Come now, Bill; hasn't it been de
lightful? 1t has neither been hot mo-
, cold--just lukewarm-a kind tina
smiled with equal equanimity upor
the ice cream pants and Palm Beacl
suits, or the fag-end wardrobes of 6
decaying and degenerate winter YOU
never will be able to beat it.
Palatka has been in holiday attire
its streets have been gay with deco
rations in which the Elks' colors ev-
erywhere predominatcd. Bunting by
day and night with electric bulbs
strung criss-cross across streets and
beautiful in illumination at night.
Its boulevards and promenades have
been brilliant with color and bolster
Gus with beoux and beautiful bellies.
In all its history Palatka has never
seen a gathering made more welcome,
nor has it's hospitality been more gen.
erousy appreciated. The streets have
been packed with visiting Eks and
their ladies, together with many peo-
| pie who had been attracted to the city
by the promise of gaiety.
The crowds began to come on Mon
! day evening; by Tuesday afternoon
the majority were here. They met a
welcome at the depots as shey alioht-
ed from the trains. Local Elks were
on hand and smiling welcome, their
autos decorated with Elks' colors and
bearing such welcoming signs as
Jump in, Bill" Hello, Bill, Get
Aboard" etc.
AT $3.50 on Tuesday afternoon the
convention was called to order by the
State Pres. Howell A. Davis of this
city, who introduced Mayor S. ]. Ken
nerly, himself an Elk, to make the ad-
dress of welcome, an act which comes
as natural to the mayor as would roll
ing otf'n log to many of US. Mayor
IKennerly said: "Mr. President, and
Brother members of the Elks' Asso-
citation of Florida: 1t certainly does
not need the presence of the mayor or
any words that the mayor may be able
to speak to convince you that you are
welcome to Palatka. Since your ar
rival in our midst you have been
shown in other ways than by mere
words, how much we appreciate hav-
ing you as our guests. | am very
glad, however, of this opportunity to
come before you this afternoon, acting
as a messenger of our fair city and
bringing to the Best People on Earth
her salutations and her greetings. We
are always exceedingly glad to have
people come to Palatka. We are
proud of our city, of its development
and progress, and we take special
pride in the fact that we can show
good time to the right peple, such as
the esteemed members of the Benev-
olent and Protective Order of 'Elks.
"Palatka Lodge No. 1882, is one
of the youngest lodges of Elks in the
state, but we have some hustling
Hello Bills among its members. They
captured the banner for having the
largest delegation from any lodge at
the convention in Miami last year,
and our beloved brother Elk Howell
A. Davis, was chosen as president of
the State organization. And last, but
not least, our lodge received for Pa
.lltka the privilege of entertaining the
= - enti0n tlis year.
therefore. in behalf of the c.ti-
zers of Palatka, | extend to eacn and
ell Of you very hearty welcome to
our city, You have the key and are
free to come and go as you please. If
the city administration can be of any
service in making your stay pleasant,
you have but to command.
an conclusion: In behalf of the
Gem City, wish you a pleasant ses-
sion, and have no doubt but that it
will be so knowing the average Elk
has a very large capacity fer pleas
ure; gentlemen, the opportunity is
here. Make use of it."
The mayor was enthusiastically ap-
plauded during the delivery and
greeted with storm Of it as he fin
ished.
The response was by President Da-
Wis; he also made a magnificent ad-
dress; sorry we can't give it il full,
but that man has had to be so blamed
prominent during the convention that
we take it he will be glad if we let
him off this time What Mrs. Davis,
who is the leading lady Elkess of the
week did, is more important.
That was the reception given by
her at the Davis home in honor of the
visiting ladies the same afternoon.
The Ladies Reception.
Of this beautiful event too much
could not be said. And en-. adequate
description, one that attempted fIll
justice would fail.
The guests were met at the door
by Mrs. Jos. H. Haughton, who pre-
sented them to the hostess, MIS-. Da-
Wis. Others following in the receiv-
ing line were Mrs. W. P. Merriam,
Mrs. W. L. Bates. wife of the Elks'
State Treasurer, Mrs. William Cam
non. Mrs. H. NJ. Fearnside, Mrs. W.
Carl Davis, Mrs. H. F. Lecks, Mrs.
Joseph Price. Mrs Tom Higgins and
Mrs. J. H. Royer ofColumbus, Ohio.