Former telegraph presidents, general superintendents, construction superintendents, linemen, managers, operators, chiefs and wiremen all promised to take part in the banquet which was destined to be a never-forgotten affair.
Music was the feature of the banquet and all the patriotic pieces were played and encored to the echo.
J. W. Kelly was more than usually at home and his songs and jokes kept the audience in a roar.
Addresses were made by the following gentlemen: Belvidere Brooks, Alfred S. Brown, “Biff” Cook, Charlie Parr, Tom Dolan, A. E. Sink, Jimmy Hennessey, Ed. Delaney and others.
“We have had such a nice time this evening and we have all been very much entertained,” said Belvidere Brooks, “and as none of us are tired, supposing we take an air flight in our machines by way of recreation, and when we return the members of the Morse Club will be very glad to have you tarry at our big round table and partake of the Club’s hospitality.”
Events were occurring rather fast, but there was nobody disinclined to have all the enjoyment there was in sight, and after a joyful aerial ride, the Morse Club rooms began filling up.
A diversion of programme was made and many ladies, known to the profession, were present.
The speakers were: Alfred S. Downer and his brother David, Gillie Olmstead, Henry A. Bogardus, Gib Merrill, George Fagan, Hank Cowan and others.
Those present besides those mentioned were: William Orton, Norvin Green, C. A. Tinker, E. D. L. Sweet, R. H. Rochester, D. Rich, Stephen D. Field and his uncle Cyrus W. Field, Moses G. Farmer, S. F. B. Morse, Alfred Vail, Ed. Leslie, Fred N. Bassett, P. V. DeGraw, Ham. Young, L. B. McCarthy, Dennis Doran, H. H. Ward, W. D. Schram, J. W. Morlan, W. L. Waugh, Thomas T. Eckert, Maurice Brick, D. B. Mitchell, Thomas P. Scully, J. A. Henneberry, E. E. Stewart, James McParlan, H. V. Shelley, M. H. Redding, Lant Jones, H. P. Dwight, J. C. Hinchman, William J. Holmes and many others well known on earth several years ago.