Valdez daily prospector., 1915-01-23
ATTENDED
 EAGLES SMOKER
Members and Friends Spend Pleasant Evening Amid Story, Song and
 Athletic Events.

last night by the memDerS or the lodge to their friends brought out a record crowd, the only male citi- zens of Valdez missing were those confined to the hospitals and a few who were busy answering late mail which they wished to go out on the Admiral Watson.
 Willard Scott, president, opened the festivities with a few remarks con- corning the Eagles and assuring those present that it was the desire of the members of the lodge that their guests enjoy themselves to ca pacity.
 Chas. G. Ganty being called upon for a speech declared that he would confine his remarks to a few subjects such as the European war, the sacred use of the ballot and suffragism, all being subjects which could be dis posed of in lucid and brief manner. Unconsciously the speaker determin- ed the trend of thoughts of the others to follow. His southern stories were we'll received and paved the way for other stories by o. P. Hubbard. Harry King, Ben Waller, Dr. von Gunther and others.
 Two tables extended down the cen ter of the big room, one of which was loaded with smokers sundries of all kinds from the choicest products of the tobacco plantations of Cuba to the ordinary "makings" of Washing ton alfalfa. The other table was load. ed with choice fruits. apples from North Yakima and delicious oranges from California and Florida.
 Between the numbers on the inn promptu program score of the mem. bers of the Eagles hustled through the hall with trays of sandwiches and cases of the stuff which it is claimed put Milwaukee on the map. Coffee in plenty was supplied in the kitchen for those who preferred that brand. Few were noticed to make their way to the culinary department.
 The only exceptions to the rule of sticking to southern stories in which the "colored brother" figured promi- nently, were by Harry King and Dr. won Gunther. The latter came to Alas ka twenty-three years ago and had some amusing experiences in follow ing his profession among the natives. One thing which must forcibly have impressed those who listened to his stories is the fact that the health of the natives of Alaska, if the gov ernment authorities are to be believ- ed, has not materially changed for the better.
 The other departure was a touch ing little tale of life in mining camp in Tuba county, Arizona. The oc' currence happened more than thirty years ago and tells of the tragic death of Nell" the camps little favorite. The miners took pride in the fact tha t Nell" died with her boots on.
 The music for the evening was fur nished by Reinke's orchestra, occa- sionally supplemented by Louie Roth encranz on the mandolin or Gus De Garf on the accordian. Songs were rendered by Harry King. Johnny Kac- erosky, Ben Waller and others. Har- ry King, Chas. Day and Dr. German sang "Tipperary" and received an en- core.
 During the latter part of the even. ing the tables were cleared from the room and two rattling good boxing contests between Jack Hayes and Pet CT North, and Daykin and Cavan' augh, were witnessed.
 Worthy President Willard Scott made an excellent chairman. His re marks concerning the growth and de velopment of the Fraternal Order ci | Eagles were interesting and listened to with attention. He stated that the order was started in Seattle about seventeen years ago and that it now numbered it's members by the hun dreds of thousands. The census talk en last year showed that there were over 100000 Eagles. During the tis cal year the number had been in creased by 55,000. More than $1,00o. 900 had been paid out during thu year for the benefit of members. While the rapid growth ot tne membership was a source of pleasure to the mem bers it derived greater pleasure iron the fact that the demonstration of ;ts motto, Justice, Truth, Loyalty ant Equality" was meeting with the ap proval and support of the best ana