The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-03-23
COMPANY A BANQUETTEO
MONDAY NIGHT At
OCALA HOUSE

Monday night between Z and s
O'Clock the members of Company A
gave a parade and drill in front of the
Ocala House, Captain Edward Drake
commanding, and using the new sig
nal system of drilling instead of the
old methods.
The drill was witnessed by a large
crowd of interested and admiring
spectators. and the soldier boys in
their uniforms, after their long alb
sence on the border, were the cyno-
sure of many loving eyes. Not only
their looks but the wonderful improve
ment in their drilling and in every
way manifested what their expert.
ence as real soldiers has meant to
them
Music by the band was also render.
ed and the streets were most martial
like in their appearance last night,
and everybody was enthusiastic over
the soldiers return.
Following the drill and the con
cert the soldiers and about fifty prom
inent Ocala citizens adjourned to the
Ocala House, where an elegant ban.
quet was served in the new dining
room. which was christened on this
most suspicious occasion.
The Ocala House was very elabor-
ately decorated with red white and
blue bunting and red white and blue
electric lights Illuminated the entire
lower floor of the hotel Ferns and
flowers were also used, and on the
four banquet tables red and white car
nations were used to supplement the
other decorations.
Nearly one hundred and twenty-five
were seated at the tables and before
beginning the banquet DR.. ]. VI. Gross
invoked the divine blessing on this
assemblige in very beautiful man
ner.
The following was the menu served
and everything was most delicious.
and was greatly enjoyed by the sol
diers and the other guests. The menu
was:
Crackers Pickles
Celery Olives
Chicken Pillau
Baked Chicken Dressing
Potatoes Bread
Cheese Pie
Coffee Cake Crackers
After the banquet hundreds of Mr..
Charles Peyser's famous twist cigars
were passed and while these were
being smoked the soldier boys were
made TO feel still more the warm vel
come that was awaiting them here
by number of very splendid speech
es made by a number Of we'll known
Ocala citizens.
Mr.. Louis w. Duval acted as toast
master and performed this duty in
his usual eloquent and graceful style.
He Is always thoroughly at ease. and
as an afterdinner speaker has few
equals in the state
The banquet at the Ocala House
last night was in every way appro-
pirate and will long be remembered
by our soldier boys.
DR.. James Edward Chace, Ocala's
new mayor. welcomed the Rifles re-
turn He said that he was glad that
his first public appearance was to per
form so pleasant a duty.
He was glad that the Rifles had
made record of which we are all
proud and returned in the enjoyment
of such splendid health.
Mr.. r. T. Munroe responded to the
toast, The Soldier Boys at Home.
He said that the business men OF
Ocala would show their patriotism by
endeavoring to obtain positions for
all who wanted to return to civic life.
Mr.. Harris was next called on and
responded to the toast, Mustered Out
Fifty Years Ago" He said that deep
dOWn IN MS neart ne mad warm af-
lection for the Ocala Rifles, as he had
for every one who donned a uniform
when his country was In peril.
He hopes that if the Rifles are call
ed to the colors again that they wndld
respond just as promptly and as pa
triotically as they had done before
and while doing as effective service
as his regiment did during our great
civil conflict. would be as fortunate
That his regiment was mustered out
thirteen hundred stronghold if other
regiments could have told the same
story the war would still be going on
Mr.. Will T. Gary made the speech
of the evening in responding to the