F. R. GADD. NEW PRESIDENT CHICAGO E. A. LANG. RETIRING PRESIDENT CIII- E. E. SKEKI.E. lUISTEE AND PROMINENT 

 LUMBERMEXS CLUB. CAGO LUMBERMEN'S CLUB. IX THE AI'EAIRS OF THE CLUB. 



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Annual of Lumbermen s Club 



Monday, March 17, was a gala day for the Lumbermen's Club oi 

 Chif-ago, being the date of its second annual meeting, annual elec- 

 tion and a general celebration over the success that the enterprise 

 has attained. The club rooms on the top floor of the Great 

 Northern Hotel building were crowded with members all the after- 

 noon and early evening, during which time the election of oflicei's 

 for the ensuing year took place. The following is the roster of 

 the successful candidates: 



I'kesidext. F. R. Gadd. 



\'ICE-PRESIDENT, John Claney. 



Tp.EAStiBER, S. C. Bennett. 



Secretary, T. A. McElreath. 



Trustees foe Three Years : E. A. Lang, E. E. Skec?le. W. A. Eager. 



Trustee for Two Years : Herman H. Hettler. 



During the early evening a dinner was given in the club 's dining 

 room in honor of Retiring President E. A. Lang, at which upwards 

 of fiftj' members of the club were present. 



At the conclusion of the dinner Mr. Lang was presented with 

 a handsome gold watch and chain, suitably inscribed "With the 

 compliments of his friends and admirers in the club." 



The arrangement of the dinner reflects credit on the ' ' engineers ' ' 

 of the function, Messrs. Welch, Quixley and others. 



The speech of presentation of the watch to Mr. Lang was a 

 "jewel" in its way and was delivered by George J. Pope. The 

 address is quoted in full: 



Some years ago there was founded in Chicago by a number of brigbt 

 lights and some good Indians tbe Fields Club. The club took as its 

 creed the following poem, which, with your indulgence, I will read : 



I've noticed when a fellow dies, no matter what's he's been — 

 A saintly cbap or one whose life was darkly steeped in sin — 

 His friends forget the bitter words they spoke but yesterday. 

 And now they find a multitude of pretty things to say ; 

 I fancy wben I go to rest someone will bring to light 

 Some kindly word or goodly act long buried out of sight : 

 But if it's all the same to you, ,iust give to me instead 

 The bouquets while I'm living and the knocking when I'm dead. 



Don't save your kisses to imprint upon my marble brow, 



While countless maledictions are hurled upon me now: 



Say just one kindly word to me while I mourn here alone. 



And don't save all your eulogy to carve upon a stone. 



What do I care it when I'm dead the Blommingdale Gazette 



Gives me a writeup with a cut in mourning borders set? 



It will not flatter me a bit, no matter what is said : 



So kindly throw your bouquets now and knock me when I'm dead. 



It may be fine, when one is dead, to have the folks talk so. 

 To have the flowers come in loads from relatives, you know : 



It may be nice to have these things for those you leave behind : 



But just as far as I'm concerned, I really do not mind. 



I'm quite alive and well today, and while I linger here 



Lend me a helping hand at times — give me a word of cheer. 



Just change the game a little bit — Just kindly swap the decks : 



For I will be no Judge of flowers when I cash in my cheeks. 



It does not take a very great flight of imagination to apply this senti- 

 ment to almost anyone who has labored for the beneflt of others. Too 

 often in this busy life of ours we neglect to say the kind word we meant 

 to have said : we forget to do tbe kindly act we intended to do. until 

 the opportunit.v has passed. 



We all know that the man that is worth while does not labor for the 

 praise of others ; the men that are men of the highest type are far from 

 being satisfied with praise or flattery. The consciousness of a work 

 well done is a wonderful thing. Nevertheless the knowledge of its appre- 

 ciation is always acceptable. 



.\fter a good beefsteak dinner we like a little dessert — the dinnef is 

 satisfying, but the ice-cream or pumpkin pie is gratifying : and it is Just 

 al)OUt the same distinction which I would apply to the self-consciousness 

 of a work well done and the honor which follows it. 



This club of ours has been indeed fortunate in having as its first presi- 

 dent one who has filled a trying position with tact and skill. I believe 

 that no one could have done more for us than President Lang. He has 

 been faithful and he has been patient : he has given freely of his time 

 and has thoughtfully considered what was for the best interest of the 

 club. 



And so, our dear president, your friends have decided that it is fitting 

 you should carry with you. as you leave your office tonight, some expres- 

 sion of esteem which is lasting, changing slightly the words of a beauti- 

 ful service which I trust we all of us hear at times. "This take in remem- 

 brance of us." and every time you look at it may it bring to your mind 

 the face of some good friend, and may every hour that it records mark a 

 period of time in which someone has given you a kindly thought. 



For the purpose of gently joking Mr. Lang on the assumption 

 that he was incompetent to make suitable acknowledgment of the 

 gift, the original speech of acceptance was delivered by E. A. 

 Thornton. The speech was of a humorous character, but was 

 closed with the following beautiful lines: 



Its pinions and hearings are Jeweled. 



Its mainspring is jeweled too : 

 But the beautiful thought tliat begot it 



Is jeweled through and through. 



At the conclusion of Mr. Thornton's speech, Mr. Lang thanked 

 ■ his friends in the club in a heartfelt way for this evidence of their 

 appreciation, but he modestly stated that the work was simpl.7 

 participated in by himself, giving credit of performance to the 

 board of managers and the different committees associated with 

 him in tlie conduct of the club's affairs. 



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