Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1920 — STAGPARTY COL. PHILLIPS [ARTICLE]

STAGPARTY COL. PHILLIPS

IS ROYALLY ENTERTAINED BY FRIENDS IN AN EVENING , ■ ■ -OF MERRIMENT Col. Fred A. Phillips, who, in a few days, is to become a resident of the Badger state and is no longer to be counted among the citizens of his native state and city, was royally entertained by thirty-five of his gentlemen friends Friday evening. The party gathered at the Roth butcher shop at seven in the evenning, from which place they went to the Princess theatre and enjoyed an hour and a half entertainment. It seemed that the picture had been especially prepared for this occasion as the heroine was a ‘ cross between the family of an auctioneer and a butcher. At eight-thirty the stags entered the Barnes restaurant, where everybody tried to imitate Sam Roth and Simon Thompson, who have the reputation of being the biggest feeders in Jasper county.' An ample supply of food for this occasion had been provided by Mrs. Barnes and the desire of the stags to be in a class with the champion earters, Roth and Thompson, was encouraged by the many, niany good things to eat temptingly placed before them. When the contest had ended and all had devoured about three times the amount of the usual meal and Roth and Thompson wbre still going* ahead with full speed Charles Warner waved the white flag, a signal that the thirty-three stags were satisfied that they were . the rankest amateurs and were entirely outclassed 'by champions. At this time a large beautiful boquette was handed by Mrs. Barnes to L. H. Hamilton with the request that it be presented to the guest of honor. The gift was from John H. Holden and was a beautiful token of the love and esteem in which the Colonel is held by his fellow townsmen. Spicy toasts were given to the Colonel by 'Mayor Charles G. Spitler, Judge Charles W. Hanley and Ex-county Recorder C. C. Warner. Col. Phillips responded as only a Phillips can. He regretted that he was to leave the bunch and the good old home town‘and would never forget either. His address was full of wit and humor but he was. not able to keep entirely in the background an emotion of an entirely different nature. This part of the evening programme having been completed the stags spent the remainder of Friday, March 5, at the home of George Reed on North Van Rensselaer street. Gathered about the tables in this elegant home with this genial host the hours slipped away in joy and merriment and all were surprised when the clock in the court house tower gave a dozen warnings that it was time to retire. Fred Phillips has had more fun than aify other man who has been born and continued to live in this choice section of the Master’s vineyard. Always a good feeler, he was happy and made those about him this cheerful and sunny disposition Col. Phillips has always taken his part in the best movement for the good of this community. He was a leader capable and always willing to do his part. He will be missed in the everyday association and even more when important community interests are to be worked out. With his parting the last of one of Jasper county’s pioneer families will have departed./ The debt that this community owes the Phillips family is one that places an obligation upon us all to ever cherish the things for which they stood and to strive as they did to lift the community upward and onward. To have been a brother of Mrs. Charles Roberts would mean to be honored by this community, for she was a most noble woman, but Col Phillips is worthy of the love and esteem m which he is held not because he is the brother df “Abby” Roberts, but because his services like hers has been of so great a value to his fellowMay the Colonel's cup be full to overflowing with joy and may his prosperity be unbounded.