The Farmington times., 1919-01-17

One OF the most eredltaDle ana
heart-stirring receptions ever paid to
a returned soldier, in a small commun-
ity such as this, was that given at the
st. Francois Hotel last Friday eve
ming, complimentary Of the splendid
and patriotic service that had been
rendered the country by Lieut.. Geo.
L. Watkins, M. c., who arrived home
Wednesday evening of last week from
seventeen months Of strenuous, ard
uous and greueling service in France.
Fourteen of those months was spent
in the thick of the fighting, in the
front-ine trenches.
The splendid gathering last Friday
evening was more in the nature Of
spontaneous uprising of the citizens
of Pennington and st. Francois coun-
ty to do honor to this popular hero,
who was one of the first to volunteer
his services after the declaration of
war by this country against Germany.
Before DR.. Watkins left on his patri-
otic mission he was one OF the best
loved men in the community, and
heavy indeed were many hearts on his
leave-taking. But the joy manifested
at his safe return far more than COM
pensates for the sorrow his departure
caused. The splendid vigor of his ap-
pcarance indicates that his call to the
service of suffering humanity was in
deed a God-given mission. Except for
q slight defect in his walk, caused
from frozen feet from which he has
never entirely recovered, DR.. Watkins
has every appearance of being even
better man, physically, than when he
left to do his best in assisting to win
the war.
In response to hurried notices given
last Friday of the reception for that
evening, about eighty of the leading
business and professional men gath
cred to gladly participate in this
welcome home. The hotel lobby was
soon crowded with men, as it was a
"stag" affair, and when places had
been found at the two long tables,
the full length of the dining room, it
was found that practically every chair
was occupied. During the assembling,
as well as throughout the meal, splen-
did and inspiring music was rendered
by Prof. Hugh Porter on the violin,
DR.. Jno. B. Robinson on the piano, and
Charles Mccarthy on the flute. The
broad tables were well filled with
things to tempt the appetite. Num-
erous punches of carnations also add
ed a touch of beauty to the scene
Efficient mattresses and walters soon
served all with oyster stew, sandwiches
and coffee, which was followed by a
very liberal allowance of brick ice
cream and cake. The very efficient
manner in which this large gathering
was expeditiously served was a splen-
did compliment to Mr.. and Mrs. Sam
pie, proprietors of the st. Francois
hotel.
When the luncheon was concluded,
Hon. f. A. Rozier, as POSTMASTER,
made an appropriate talk, referring
to the occasion as being compliment
ary to the honored guest of the eve
ming at his right; of the promptness
with which he had volunteered for
service in the greatest war the world
has ever known, and that he consid-
cred it a very great honor to be per-
mitted to act as toastmaster on such
an occasion. Everything that was
said by him, as we'll as by those who
followed, was altogether impromptu,
as none had previous intimation that
they would be called on to speak.
The toastmaster then called on Rev.
R. S. Boyd, who responded in his u.s.
ual pleasing and happy manner. He
had long been impressed with the fact
that Pennington had her full share
of live, energetic, enthusiastic women,
who were always ready and able to
put over" anything they attempted
for the public good, this gathering was
about the first in which he had the
pleasure of participating that was
impressive of the fact that there are
also men in the city who can get to,
gether in a public demonstration, and
he hoped that it would not be the last
of such gatherings. He spoke of the
good that would result from such
"get together" meetings in the up
building of the city; that there should
be a greater outpouring of "towr
spirit, and he hoped that this splen.
did gathering would prove to be the
beginning of an improved era fol
Pennington.
DR.. B. ]. Robinson was next called
upon, and responded by saying that
no one was more rejoiced than he ir
having back in our midst the guest Of
honor. He was followed by Rev. 0
H. L. Cunningham, who spoke mos
Interestingly in regard to the many
hardships and trials through which
DR.. Watkins must have passed during
his seventeen strenuous months ser
vice on the battle front in France, anc
the heartfelt gratitude of his ole
friends in having him back in theil
midst.
Rev. H. Hallerberg was next intro
duced, and responded in his usual Wig
orous and entertaining manner. HI
said he did not consider it the part o1
wisdom to attempt to address such {
body without previous preparation, al
he considered it an unusually impor
tant occasion. However, his remark.
were most interesting, as were his con
gratulations to the guest of homo
most sincere.
DR.. j. L. Eaton was next introduced
and spoke very briefly, stating that HI
felt 1t was the desire Of all presen
Ito hear the guest Of honor tell some