Grand Island Daily Independent
Tuesday, February 21, 1914

SUGAR BEET MEN HOLD BANQUET
Second Annual Event Very Successfurl Affair
PROSPECTS ARE BRIGHT
For the Coming Season, As Brought Forth in Speeches Made Last Evening,
Despite Slight Anxiety on Tariff Workings.-A Sugar Song.

Last night, the Palmer house was a scene of mirth. Song resounded, wit scintilated and peals of laughter echoed throught the house.

It was the occasion of the American Beet Sugar company's second annual banquet, and twenty-three permanent employees of the local factory attended. A rich menu was dispensed, and the affair lasted from 8:30 until mid-night.

In an entertaining talk, Manager Denman stated that last year, the field men secured the largest acreage in the history of the factory; but drouth, hail, tornado and adverse legislation came nearly making 1913 a hoodoo year. The campaign, however, showed a very fine record in output of sugar. Agruculturalists Bryan, Hagge and Baker promised a still greater acreage fo the present year.

Superintendent Howland, in a heart to heart talk, thanked his men for their loyal support, promised a continuation of the Grand Island factory and many more banquets, providing the company could survive the recent tariff legislation affection sugar.

Short talks were made by the merry trinity of field men, who were the life of the occasion; and talks were also made by Chief Engineer Mehring, Assistant Oberg, Assistant Superintendent Blaise, Cashier Stimpfig, Chief Chemist Snyder, Messrs Powell, Cornelius, Milar and others.

Mr. Miller led the company in singing a song entitled "The Second Banquet," written to the tune of "What's The Matter With Father?" and the sugar men sang the choruses with a rollicking swing which would have done justice to a German Saengerfest.

Those present were: A. J. Denman, J. L. Howland, John Bryan, August Hagge, A. J. Baker, W. H. Snyder, A. J. Stimpfig, Claude Powell, R. R. Mehring, John Oberg, Charles Braise, Martin Alexander, Gus Schweiger, James Gidings, Gus Cornelius, Robert Myers, Frank Pepper, Julius Brandt, Henry Seaman, Jack DeCoto, Carl Schweiger, Otto Dibbern and thomas Millar.

Banquet echoes:

An Irish employee remarked: Superintendent Howlan' is well named. He has a good job and knows how to howl.

How did a young man like Mr. Denman get to be manager? General Mgr. Howe knew Denman and Denman knew "Howe."

Fearing the dishes might not be properly seasoned, the factory brought along their own "Pepper."

The cashier's figures are called "Stimpfigures," and his books are works of "Art."

The highest men at the factory--Bob Myers and Frank Pepper on the smoke stack.

Only one Irishman at the factory--John Oberg--and he's a Swede.

The song given at the banquet ws as follows:

The banquet of glad memories,
that we held a year ago,
Inspired a grand, good feeling,
and the feeling seems to grow;
And through the year, in gloom or cheer,
we held this hope in view:
"The sugar men will meet again
at Banquet Number Two."
Here we are at the banquet,
All care free;
Here we are at the banquet,
You and me!
Catch the spirit of the tale and song!
Take the joys of the feast along;
Think all year of the banquet!
Gloom shall flee.

At times, the year Ninteen Thirteen
looked very, very glum;
The weather man got tipsy
and tariff hit us some;
But not a tear be-gloomed the year
and beets will bloom anew;
We've tied the nail to trouble's tail
at Banquet Number Two.
Here we are at the banquet,
All care-free;
Here we are at the banquet
You and me!
Catch the spirit of tale and song!
Take the joys of the feast along!
Think all year of the banquet!
Gloom shall free!

As Moses hit the rock a swat
and made the water spout
So Bryan waves his magic wand,
and beets begin to sprout;
They bloom for August Hagge till
they don't know when to stop;
Where Baker throws a smile or two
we're sure to have a crop.
Here's good luck to the field me
Bold and free!
To the days of the field men
Rich in glee!
We acknowledge them all as stars;
May their autos be triumph cars;
Here's good luck to the field men--
Bright men three!

Transcriber's Note: There are more verses, but the page is cut off.

Residents of West Second street witnessed quite a spectacle the other day at the Limback home when a taxi-cab and the delivery car of the Fairmont Creamery company came nearly mixing. The taxicab was sent over the curbing and dashed into a hydrant, which was broken off. This started a stream of water and for a while occasioned condsiderable excitement.