Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa Wednesday, March 1, 1916 INITIATION AND BANQUET Members of A.O.H. Have One of the Most Successful Days in Local History of Order. Sunday was an important day in the local history of Ancient Order of Hibernians. During the afternoon a class of thirteen was initiated by the officers of the Emmetsburg division. The work was exceptionally well done. The division officers had charge of the giving of the three degrees. Those who became members are Michael FLEMING, Charles DUHIGG, Vincent FITZPATRICK, Leo J CORLEY, P.DWYER, Ray NALLY, Basil HAND, Wm. NOLAN, John J MONCRIEF, Jos P HAND, Wm J SHELLY, Lawrence BRENNAN, Wm GAHAN. In the evening a sumptuous banquet was enjoyed by the members and their ladies at the K.C. hall. The total attendance was about 160. The spread was served by Mr and Mrs WRIGHT, who for proficiency in this line, need no introduction to the people of Emmetsburg. The napkins, flags and ice cream were emblematic of the colors of the organization. The service was elegant, prompt, and in every way satisfactory. All who were in attendance complemented Mr and Mrs WRIGHT on their taste and efficiency. The feast of reason and flow of soul followed. The program was one of the best that has ever been given in Emmetsburg. P.H. DONLON, who has served several terms as secretary of the organization, was honored in the selection of toastmaster. He is ready and genial and is at all times at home with his listeners. His introduction of the various parties who were listed on the program showed that he has special tact and judgment for work of this kind. The blessing was asked by Father VEIT. The opening number on the program was a vocal solo by C.J. BERGER. He sustained his reputation as a delightful singer. He always takes part creditably on a program of this kind. Miss Anna DONOVAN was assigned the subject, "The Hibernian as Seen by Outsiders". She was clever, witty, and fluent and from the first, had a hearty good will of the large audience. Her address of perhaps fifteen minutes was indeed a gem and was a subject of warm and generous praise by many who had the privilege of hearing her. Her description of the typical Irish character was that of one who knows his energy, snap, humor, integrity, magnanimity and deep seated reverence for things that are sacred. Her effort would have been a credit to any banquet program here in Iowa. Charles DUHIGG spoke on his impressions of the day. After a few humorous remarks concerning the initiatory exercises and his new civic associates, he referred at some length to the strong tendency of the young people of our time towards frivolity and extravagance. His suggestions were timely and they met with the warm approval of all serious minded people who heard him. The speech was one of the best Mr DUHIGG has ever delivered in Emmetsburg. He is earnest as well as pleasing and is cool headed and practical. He is always a favorite with an Emmetsburg audience. M.F. KERWICK was, as usual, the humorist of the evening. He was given to understand by the program committee that he would not have to say much and he didn't, but he kept the audience in an uproar while he had the floor. Mr KERWICK is becoming very popular as an after dinner talker. He has original Irish humor and it must be conceded that the supply he had on hand Sunday evening was of a superiour quality. His place on the program could not have been handled by any other member of the organization. W.I. BRANAGAN spoke of Celtic achievement in religion, oratory, literature, law, medicine, music, drama, comedy, art and science, and in the industrial, commercial, and transportation development of our country. Miss Bernadette BOUGH sang a couple of her best selections. She has excellent ability and for one of her years,is showing marked progress as a vocalist. She is undoubtedly one of the most promising singers of our county. She filled a very important place on the program. T.J. COONAN sang three of his best Irish songs and he was repeatedly greeted with enthusiastic applause. He is always popular before Emmetsburg audiences, but Sunday evening he was at his best. Mr COONAN's charming personality, his cheery nature and his anxiety to do his part creditably add greatly to his success as a popular entertainer. The committee on general arrangements, C.J. McNALLY, W.P. KERWICK, M.J. CONWAY, M.F. BRENNAN and Chas. WALDRON, deserve great praise for the success of the day's exercises. Cathy Joynt Labath The Irish in Iowa http://www.rootsweb.com/~iarecrds/