BIRTHDAY SURPRISE - J.W. SHELL

SHELL, AMMON, CUMMINS, MITCHELL, WOODARD, HARGER, EIKER, BINNING

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 12/28/2001 at 15:16:01

Leon Reporter
July l2, l894

Last Saturday a very happy affair occurred at
the residence of J.W.
SHELL, near Decatur. MR. and MRS. SHELL had
been invited to spend the
day at the home of MR. AMMON, it being MR.
SHELL'S seventieth birthday.
In their absence nearly one hundred of their
neighbors and friends with
well filled baskets came in and repaired to
the grove east of the house,
which had been put in readiness for the
occasion. Word was sent to MR.
SHELL to come home at once as someone had
called. The surprise was a
complete success.

As soon as dinner was prepared, MR. and MRS.
SHELL were invited to take
seats in two handsome rocking chairs, which
were then presented to them,
J.E. CUMMINS making the presentation speech.
Other presents were also
given. Rev. Mitchell then offered prayer and
the guests began operations
at the table in a manner that did justice to
the occasion.
After dinner a choir led by MR. AMMON
furnished some fine music,
following which, speeches were made by MARION
WOODARD, S.Y. HARGER, B.L.
EIKER and J.E. CUMMINS, and an excellent
recitation given by MISS LAURA
BINNING. All, of which were heartily
applauded. Later on at the house,
vocal selections were rendered by J.E. and
MRS. FRANK CUMMINS, among
which was one of J.E.'s favorite
compositions.

The guests then departed for home feeling
that the day was one long to
be remembered.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
December 27, 200l