Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-02-27

iocdf pAono noioerS TO meet the reaS.
enable requirmentsIof the Mutual Com.
pany, but in the talk of Mr.. Williamsi
II was evident that these con ditions
are in process of being remedied.
President Clover surrendered the |
chair to Col. Howard j. Benchoff who |
in his usual happy vein put more pep
into the 'peptomists, already en-
Unused because of the flattering reports
oil the activities OF the Chamber of |
Commerce, during the preceding year.
Col. Benchoff's intimate relationship to
the progressive movement nowsweep-
ing the Valley, because of his
presidency of the Shenandoah Valley
Incorporated, was reflected in his re-
marks. He told his auditors that the
organization Of which he was president
was making marvellous strides and that
the eyes of America were focused on
the Shenandoah Valley. Col. Benchoff
asked for hearty support of the Shen-
andoah Valley Incorporated and the
Woodstock Chamber of Commerce,
stating that the big things to be accom-
plished would be done only by organic
ed and unselfish effort on the part of
the citizens of this area.
GLASS AND CONRAD
Ex-Mayor w. w. Glass, of Winches-
ter, an apostle of peptomism, and a
speaker with an attractive personality
and volumnous vocabulary, was in
troduced by Col. Benchoff, aud after
a personal allusion to his Woodstock
ancestry, gave an extemporaneous
exhibit of oratory which not only
captivated his audience but inspired il
with higher ideals and determination
to do whatever was necessary to bring
to pass safe and same development
OF local resources. Altho, Mr.. Glass
address was interspersed with anec-
dotes and ladened with humor, as a
whole it was splendid speech, and
out OF wealth of wide experience he
gave the local Chamber of Commerce
some pertinent advice and some whole.
some lessons. Mr.. Glass in addition
to large business interests has taken
an active and enviable part in the de.
velopment of the Valley and his adj
dress indicated close touch with the
forward movement which is now in
such an active state in this territory
He, it was. who brought the wore
"peptomist" to the meeting and ht
left the Woodstock Chamber OF Com
merce message Of hope and goot
will which will be helpful to its mem
bership and OF much good to tn,
Community.
| Col. Bryan Conrad, retired officer o
the United States Army, who has seer
service wherever the Stars and Stripe,
are known, was the next speaker
Col. Conrad is a SON of the late Majo
Holmes Conrad of Winchester, VIII
. during his life time was one Of tn
foremost of the Nations lawyers an,
who enjoyed large practice in Shen
andoah County. Col. Conrad wa
. reminiscent in beginning his talk, tellin,
OF boyhood visit to his uncle, tn
late DR.. George w. Magruder of Wood
stock and of youthful fishing tri
with his uncle, when he landed wha
was evidently an aged bass. 1t weighe
over five pounds. he said. and mas
much as the many fishermen presen
applauded and showed no signs O
skepticism. the bass did weigh owe
five pounds.
Il Col, Conrad struck a sympatheti
feeling among his auditors when h
stated that he was not enthusiast
over the prospect or probability of tn
Shenandoah Valley becoming an in
dustrial section with its alien popu
lation and smudgy skies. He preferre
to think OF this being a country O
. homes where the weary one
could find peace, happiness an
= quietude, amid ideal surroundings, sucl
as no other section on earth affords
He came back 10 the Valley, the speak
er said, because it was the best pIac,
in the world to live. With its almos
100 per cent American citizenship
Col. Benchoff stated that he hoped tina
the time would never come when thi
: citizenship would be infected witt
/ such alien blood as followed in til,
wake of industrial development. The
ideal home section of America, was the
speakers idea of the future Valley ans
he advocated development along thes,
lines. The applause with which hi.
} ideas were greeted indicated tina
others present entertained identica
| ideas.
II Col. Conrad is a pleasant and at
tractive speaker and the Winchester
, team OF post prandial orators added
materially to the real enjoyment of the
evening.
j Rev. Francis A. Brown, was called
upon by the Chairman for ''few re-
marks from the clergy" and though
the remarks were few they we're force.
ful, and contributed largely to the
success of the program. In the three
years OF residence in Woodstock, the
speaker said, he had noted the
strides which the town was making
towards bigger, better Woodstock
and ne congratulated the Chamber of
Commerce for having, in its brief
existence, done SO many things for the
good of the town.
Chairman Benchoff called on the
members for one minute talks and the
responses were pithy pledges for part
In Woodstock's progression. Among
those who spoke briefly were Mrs
Guy D. Benchoff, lady member of the
Board OF Directors, Frank B. Riddle.
berger. T. G. Locke, Treasurer i u
L.