Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1915 — COLUMBUS CLUB HELD 3RD ANNUAL BANQUET [ARTICLE]

COLUMBUS CLUB HELD 3RD ANNUAL BANQUET

Makeever Hotel Scene of Happy Gathering—Several Guests Shared In Pleasant Occasion.

The Columbus Club of Rensselaer, composed of 22 members of /the Knights of Columbus, holding their membership in the Lafayette Council, gave a most delightful banquet and toast program Tuesday evening at the Makeever hotel. Sixty persons, including the ladies of the Knights and several guests occupied two long tables in the dining room and participated in a splendid banquet. Among the guests were the following: Grand Knight J. T. Cbnnelly and wife, of Lafayette, District Deputy Tred Friedline, of Kentland, Mayor Spitler and wife, Judge Hanley and wife, Attorney W. H. Parkinson and wife and the editor of The Republican. It was the third annual banquet and the first one to be undertaken along such extensive lines. Last year the members of the club were only in attendance and the banquet was held at the home of Joseph Hallagan. The membership has increased to 22 and when there are 40 ft is planned to institute a council in this city. The toasts and musical numbers were especially pleasing. The Wood Family Orchestra played during the banquet and Miss Ruth Wood sang three songs much to the delight ox the banqueters. Mr. Connelly also sang “Mother McCree” and the applause was so enthusiastic that he was compelled to respond to an encore. The piano used in the dining room was furnished by T. J. Lange & Son. T. M. Callahan, who had general charge of the arrangements, was the toastmaster and following the invocation by Father Christian Daniel, and the serving of the first course of the banquet, Hon. E. P. Honan responded to the toast, “A Knight of Columbus.” Ed was in one of his happiest moods and he kept the banqueters laughing a>his numerous sallies. Judge Hanley spoke about “The Good Citizen,” and encouraged all to the rendering of service to the world as a means of meeting up to the highest standards of life and citizenship. He advised the Knights of Columbus to fulfill the highest purpose of their order and in a jovial manner suggested that the unmarried ones get busy and procure wives for themeslves. He was followed by Mayor Spitler, whose subject was “Sociability,” and he pleased all with a yery interesting toast, in which he spoke of the value of the lessons of secret orders and the beauties of fraternity as a means of furthering the social side of life.

Attorney Parkinson spoke about "Harmony,” and introduced a number of witticisms that added to the enjoyment of the evening. Mrs. Harvey Messman delivered a masterful tribute to man and brought her remarks to a close by reciting a little story about a girl who refused to marry a suitor whom her father favored, notwithstanding the fact that he was of high moral standing, held a good position and . possessed qualities of real worth. When her father asked the reason of her refusal she replied that he was a 1912 model. Mrs. Messman, whose readings have attracted much favorable attention, then recited one of her many readings and the applause showed the great appreciation of it. Grand Knight Connolley, of Lafayette, made a few remarks preceding his songs, complimenting the Columbus Club and urging them to secure sufficient members to institute a council. Mr. Connolly announced that the Knights of Columbus of Lafayette had been asked to. hold the first bigbanquet in the new Fowler Hotel, which is nearing completion in that city. The banquet will be on the evening of April 23rd and Mr. Connelly urged as many of the Columbus Club members as possible to attend from this city. Father Daniel spoke of the value of social gatherings in the life of the church. Fathers Koester and Pius, of St. Joseph’s college, were present and responded interestingly when called upon, as also did District Deputy Friedline, of Kentland.