San Francisco Call, Volume 83, Number 108, 18 March 1898 — The Evening Banquet. [CHAPTER]

The Evening Banquet.

The event of the evening was the banquet given at Delmonico's restaurant on O'Farrell street by the Knigrhts of St. Patrick. The banquet took place on the fifth floor and the apartments were fitted up in magnificent style, the finest of silken tapestry being draped in profusion, gold and silver gauze being suspended from the chandeliers, the American shield and the banner bearing the minstrel's harp abounding everywhere, while the choicest of floral emblems in various designs filled the large hall with perfume. A most elaborate menu had been spread and a time was had generally that all the Knights will point to with pride as the criterion of their annual celebrations. Frank T. Shea made the opening address, referring eloquently to both Irish and American historical events. He stated that the gathering was a fitting testimonial to the fact that the organization is as firm in spirit and. enthusiasm to-day as it was when founded twenty-three years ago. Shea's remarks were followed uy the reading of communications wishing the organization well and expressing regrets at their inability to attend the festivities from Archbishop Riordan, Senator George C. Perkins, Rev. P. C. Yorke, Governor Budd and Senator White. A cable message was also read from John O'Leary, chairman of the '98 Centenary Association. Secretary T. J. Stanton read the messages. All were warmly cheered. Hon. W. W. Foote responded to the first toast of the evening, "The United States of America." He was glad to say that he was present and had to send no regrets. Referring to the facts of American history the speaker voiced his belief that we are a united nation. In the event of a war with Spain over the Cuban question and the Maine incident Attorney Foote stated his conviction that all true Irish-Americans would be found in the vanguard, fighting for the country of" their adoption. In turn eloquent responses to toasts were made as follows: "The Day We Celebrate," Mayor Phelan; "Civil and Religious Liberty," James R. Kelly; "Our Kindred Societies," John Reid; "Ninety-Eight," John R. Barrett. Rev Edward Dempsey asked grace at the beginning of the feast. Musical features were presented by W. J.

O'Brien and "W. w. Flnnle in vocai solos at intervals in the literary programme. Among those present were: Frank T. Shea, Rev. Edward Dempsey, Hon. James D. Phelan, Hon. W. W. Foote. Hon. James R. Kelly, Hon. James V. Coffey, John J. Barrett. Joseph I. Dimond, Hon. M. M. Kstee. S. Braunhart, John Mulhern, Thomas J. Stanton. Austin J. Jackson, Guy H. Borland. T. W. Connollv, Peter Scully, Charles JlcCpllum. John A. Lennon, P. J. McCormick Edward I. Coffey, Jeremiah V. Coffey, M. J. Bohannon, John T. Redmond. Patrick MoGee, John Grant. J. EnriKht, M. C. Bateman J. 13. Carey. W. J. O'Brien. W. W. Flnnle, Georga D. Graham. W. F. Humphrey, P. H. Whelan. J. W. Sloan, Philip Casey of New "iork, J. c. Nealon. James Dunne of New York, P. A. McDonald, John Purcell, M. C. Hassett^ Dr. Morrisey, J. J. Lennen, T. S. Dargie, R. H. Nagle. Matt O'Donnell, A. M. McCabe of San Jose. J. J. Gildea, J. K. Cosgrave. M. Joseph Gildea, George W. Shorten. T. P. Riordan, W. H. Byington. J. B. Keenan. Ed R. Rock. Hon. William Brodfrick, P. McCormick, Hon. J. t. Britt. Frank Dunn, Hon. William Cronan. E. P. Barrett, P. J. Dunne, Hugh S. Hagan. T. F. Bonnet. James H. Barry. William P. Lawtor, J. 3. Donnegan. James F. O'Brien. Thomas W. Cronan. Daniel J. Lean. John E. Broderick. P. K. O'Keefe, John Phelan. Hon. Max Popper H. B. McAvoy, Dr. G. J. Fitzgibbona, P. J. Harney. Joseph O'Donnell. Dr. A. P. O'Brien. J. C. Bateman, R. Rice. J. H. Powers, J. R. Tobin, John E. Buckley. Carl Elsenschimel, Joseph O'Connor, Richard Bunton. James Shea, Matt Kelleher. Joseph McKenna, Charles G. Stein. James J. O'Brien, W. A. Wattson, P. Hollan. John Murphy, Thomas Brennan. James Butler, Hon. C. A. Clinton, Jeremiah Deasy, H. L. Welch. W. N. McCarthy. T. R. Bannerman, Dr. E. E. Hill. Hon. M. Cooney.