Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 291, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1911 — EDITOR BANQUETED WITH THE HÒSIER LITERATL [ARTICLE]

EDITOR BANQUETED WITH THE HÒSIER LITERATL

(Continued from Page One.) a trifle too grave for the occasion. Apparently he was thinking of the white house far away and perhaps was almost as conscious as about every one else that It is slipping farther away every time he addresses an audience of intelligent people. But his speech gave the banqueters a chance to look at a set of. twelve books, all the works of Indiana authors, the souvenirs of the banquet and the only ones that will ever be issued of the same kind. The guests seemed to have about completed looking at the books when the governor completed his speech and all were ready for the rich wit of Btrickland Gilliland, who arrived late on account of-.having, been engaged that night for a lecture in a Chicago suburb. Pending, his arriyal, several dispatches were penned in rhyme by Wilbur D. Nesbit, proclaiming his approach. Gilliland is the author of that splendid classic, “Off again, on again. Finnigan,” and if his speech could have been criticised at aH it was because he made it too short. In reference to the, books, which are of about 100 pages each and .specially printed as souvenirs of this banquet, Mr. Ade briefly reviewed the organization of the Indiana Society of Chicago, telling of the growth of the souvenirs and of the Increase hi attendance at the**annnal banquets. He said the’t it was probable that next year's banquet would be at the Coliseum and that each guest would be given a Carnegie library. He valued the set of books this year at SSOO. As the banquet cost $lO a plate, he said that the guests would all go away from the hall with a clear profit of $490 tucked under their arm. At the 8Ug b estion of Mr. Ade, the human megaphone in the balcony called the roll of counties and all those from each county arose and called “here” when their* county was called. When Jaspefr county was called J arose and there was a great whoop of friendship went up from all over the great banquet room. But those ■who were seated near me did not seem to be looking at me and those behind me seemed to be looking over ;or around or through me and then 1 saw that William B. Austin was the center of attraction and I realized that it don’t always get a fellow anything to weigh 215 pounds. The next morning the Chicago Tribune settled the matter of who the cheers were for beyond any doubt when it said that William B. Austin was the first man from the counties called to 1 receive special recognition. He was chairman of the general committee, also of the invitation committee and a member of the reception committee. Will G< Paxton, of Hammond, a native Jasperite. was also present, but he arose with, the Lake county crowd. If there were any other Jasper county people we did not meet them. The Indiana Society of Chicago is largely made up of men of literary prominence, and includes George Ade, John T. and George Barr McCutcheon, Wilbur D. Nesbit, Meredith Nicholson, Both Tarkington, Kin Hubbard, Strickland Gilliland and Robert Alexander Wason. The latter is a brother of Judge Wasop, of Delphi, who broke into literature with a bpok called “Happy Hawkins.” He is the author of one of the best books in the set given as souvenirs. It Is entitled “The Dog and the Child and the Ancient Sailor Man” and is a delightful little story with many lessons in it As “Bob” Wason he came here some twelve years ago with a Delphi football team and played a star game but had the ill fortune to have his hip broken. Whether Bob found any inspiration iiterarlly from football is not known but his success is additional proof that a fellow can play football and then turn out to amount to something. ’ Well, the banquet was a great success, and it is a big event In the life of » country editor to have the privilege of attending one.