Evening star., 1926-01-17
WESTV|RG|N|A BODY.
IN DISTRICT ACTIVE.
State Society Has Large
Membership and Is Devoted
to Its Functions.
BY MARGARET b. DOWNING.


West Virginia's State society is run
ming neck to neck with that of the
keystone State in actual membership
and seemingly getting in the lead in
the potential sense. There are $500
citizens of West Virginia residing in
the District of Columbia. and SO allur-
ing are the social activities of the
State society that 1t appears only a
matter of time before every one Is
written on the rolls.
In point of enthusiasm and local
pride it would be difficult to imagine
body surprising it, for all of the
seven meetings held every first We'd
neSday in the Mount Pleasant Hall
from November until May begin and
close with the fervent singing of the
State song. "The West Virginia Hills. -
the words by Mrs. Ellen King and the
music by II. L. Engle, both natives of
the Mountain State.
The State f1ower-rhododend
used decoratively whenever possible
and is piCtorially or artifiCially pro-
duCed at all meetings, and the flag, on
which is inscribed West Virginia
State Society of the District of Column
bia. gayly floats over the scene.
Cider and Gingerbread.
Those products, typically West Vir-
ginian, which figure prominently at
the assemblies are the renowned cider
and gingerbread. Both popular edi-
bl@S come from the State. The cider
party opens the season every year and
a barrel of fresh cider made from
those juicy WinesapS and other favor
ite brands of apples comes down from
Berkeley with the gingerbread.
There is also an abundance of
Golden Grimes provided, for those
glorious globes. so beloved of apple
lovers. originated and were placed on
the market in Brooke County, W. Va
y merrier party cannot be imagined
than this gingerbread and cider faast
and. not content with inviting the sew
eral thousand West Nirginians resi-
dent in Washington, and this apart
from whether they paw dues into the
society or not. hundreds of other
Nashingtonians are entertained, in
NltationS going to the State officers Of
all similar organizations.
y West Virginia society has existed
In Washington for the past 35 wears,
nut until 1914 it was on strictly DO
1itIcal lines. But the triumph of the
Democratic party in the election of
W oodrow Wilson and of q Congress of
his party, influenced West Virginia to
reorganize on purely non-political.
non-sectarian lines after the manner
OF several flouriShing State societies.
he hrSt meeting was called by Col
J. William De Grange and D. w.
Gall. An organization was perfected
September %. 1914, and Mr.. Gall was
elected president, with Charles NJ
Shinn. Henry S. Baker, r. L. Lowe.
ltolla Camden and II. c. Duncan as
vice presidents. Col. De Grange was
elected treasurer at that first meeting
and has continued to serve as such
ever since. He also is general man.
ager Of the society's activities.
First Banquet.
The society gave its first banquet,
now an annual event of much bril-
liancy. February IT. 1915. at the
William Z. Chiffon was POSTMASTER
and the orator of the occasion was
John w. Davis, late national stand
ard-bearer of the Democratic party.
Other we'll known speakers were for
mer Senator Howard Sutherland and
former Representatives James L.
Hughes and Hunter Moss. The late
Representative William NJ Brown
was to have been on the speakers list.
but he was i'll and Mrs. Izetta Jewell
Brown filled his place. The late Sena-
tor Nathan Golf also was i'll at this
time and his toast was responded to
by Miss Leonore NJ. De Grange.
now prominently before the Washing
ton public as founder of the Childrens s
Theater.
The West Virginia Society had in
1915 and in 1917 opportunities to
prove that it was non-political and
all-embracing in its desire to pro-
mote the wishes of it's citizens. When
the G. A. r. held its forty ninth an
nual encampment in Washington
committee was appointed to look after
the comfort of the State veterans in
attendance and at the headquarters at
the Powhatan $40 old soldiers were
registered from West Virginia. They
were given a rousing camp fire and
banquet at the Masonic Temple and
throughout the meeting received every
kind of attention from the State So
Ciety.
In June. 1917, the Confederate Vet
Grams met here, and they, too, re-
ceived as hearty welcome from the
West NirginianS as had the c. A r.
Veterans. A comfortable sum was set
aside from the resources of the organi-