Masons held their biggest banquet of years here last night in the center of the Co-Ops big warehouse, 300 people filling tables and applauding speakers and music on the spot where Studebakers, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Hudsons, and Fords were parked two weeks ago and over which the majestic canopy of decorations were hanging but yesterday morning. Torn down to the displeasure of E.E. Griffin and those who worked so faithfully for the banquet right on the day it took place, nevertheless the green sawdust was on the floor, pines formed a line of pickets on each side of the lines of tables. The voices of the speakers received acute attention despite the rain on the giant roof of the warehouse that tried so hard to drown their efforts.
Topping the last was Mrs. C.W. Fowler of Greensboro, grand matron, who spoke with great sincerity of the Eastern Star, and another prominent speaker was Dr. W.C. Wicker, Masonic field secretary. Dr. Zeno Wall, toastmaster, declared it was the best address of its kind he had ever heard. Dr. Wicker launched not the Masonic passion for education, declaring it was the very bedrock of democracy on which the founders of this government nearly all of whom were Masons, had begun their work which had carried on and on. Dr. Strosnider spoke essentially of the activity of the women, rising again at the end of the banquet served with dispatch to the 300 there that the least they could do for the young women of the city who served it so effectively was to give them a vote of thanks. This the audience did, finishing off with deserved applause, for the young women and girls (who) served promptly the various courses and the coffee, not once but several times.
Some other pleasant phases of the program were Dr. Wall’s humous remarks, his having something different to say each time, and Professor Hurts’ violin reminiscences of the south. At one time Dr. Wall told a story, waited a moment, then after the applause had come said with humor, “All things come to him who waits.” As for Professor Hurst, he played all the famous southern songs in about 15 minutes, coming from “Old Folks at Home” on through the quick notes of “Hurray the Bonnie Blue Flag That Bears the Single Star,” the lightning notes of “Dixie,” and then “Yankee Doodle” at last. Of course the audience had to cheer madly for Dixie as all audiences do, either north or south. Some wondered perhaps why it wasn’t compulsory to salute it as it is the Star Spangled Banner.
This banquet is an annual affair with the Masons, and as a coincidence it rained last year as well as last night, it was declared by several of the members who had attended both banquets. It took a lot of work to put this one over which is said to be the largest ever held here. E.E. Griffin, past deputy district grand master, who has been in charge of arrangements has been so busy night and day that he admitted last night he hardly knew which one of the Griffins he was. Mrs. Griffin spoke on the program preceding Mrs. Fowler, most of the early speakers were under a handicap to be heard because of the rainstorm outside and the difficulty of being heard in the colossal warehouse.
From appearances it seemed there were more women in the audience than men. They applauded liberally everything except reference to themselves. When speakers referred to them, they were demure and silent, and the much talked of old-time modesty was much in evidence. They almost blushed with Dr. Strosnider wound up his speech in a eulogy on the Women’s Club and other activities of Goldsboro women, and with a “God Bless the women.” The program follows:
Toastmaster, Dr. Zeno Wall
Song, America
Overture, Orchestra
Address of Welcome to ladies, Dr. C.F. Strosnider
Love songs, gift roses, orchestra
Greetings from Goldsboro Lodge Nol. 634, C.O. Baird
Reminiscences of the South, orchestra
Address by Grand Matron Mrs. C.W. Fowler
Introduction of speakers, F.B. Crowson
Address by Field Secretary Dr. C.W. Wicker
Toast by Col. A.C. Davis
W.R. Padgett, Chairman, Music Committee
From the front page of The Goldsboro News, May 23, 1923
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