Item
Mary Van Horne, Sir William's Sister
Beacon
Sept 11/1890
Complimentary Dinner
Tendered to Judge Emory Speer of Georgia by the Guests of the Algonquin
Delightful as have been the numerous social gatherings at the Algonquin this season, there has been none which contributed more genuine pleasure to the participants than the complimentary dinner which the guest of the hotel tendered to his honor Judge Emory Speer, of Macon, George, on Wednesday evening last, on the occasion of the forty-second anniversary of his birth.
A circumstance which invested the event with additional interest was the fact that it was a complete surprise to the Judge himself. He had come to St. Andrews to escape a periodical attack of hay fever, and did not dream of being shown any more than the ordinary courtesies of a hotel. While in conversation with one of he guests on Wednesday morning, he casually remarked that on the day of forty-two years ago he had first seen the light of day. The thought of giving the Judge a surprise suggested itself to the mind of his companion. Communicating the idea to Manager Carter, and the guest of the house they instantly fell in with it. Mr. Carter, with that alacrity which characterizes all his movements set to work to arrange matters, and in an hour or two everything was in train for the event. An elaborate menu, such as only the Algonquin can furnish, was arranged the parlor, halls and dining room, by the aid of wild flowers, ferns, catkins, and the like, supplemented in the banquet hall by Japanese lanterns of the most unique design were instantly transformed as by a fairy hand. In one corner of the banquet chamber an embowered space was reserved for the orchestra, who discoursed during the evening some of their choicest selections. Manager Carter, although greatly restricted by the few hours left him for preparation, did not forget he conventional birthday cake, which is now speeding on its way to Georgia—a messenger of sweetness from the Judge to his household and friends far away. The guests, too mindful of the pleasures that come from giving as well as receiving provided a simple and unique coffee urn (hereafter to be appropriately engraved) with a set of delicate and elegant after dinner china coffee cups and saucers, which will it is hope bring frequent remembrances of the occasion to the judge, as the gift is utilized at his home in the distant south. These little tokens were placed in front of his plate at the table, beside a blooming bouquet of native domestic flowers.
The Judge had been advised that the Lt. Governor and Lady Tilley would dine with him but of any further honor that was to be done him he had not the slightest idea. At the appointed hour, 7 o’clock, the ample doors of the dining hall were thrown open, the orchestra played a stirring march, and to the inspiriting strains the guests entered the festive chamber. Sir Leonard Tilley, who escorted Miss Speer, was the first to enter. Then came the guest of the evening, on whose arm leaned Lady Tilley. They were succeeded by Mr. R. S. Gardiner, vice-president of the St. Andrews Land Company, and Mrs. Fay; Mr. E. F. Fay and Mr. Gardiner. Mr. and Mrs. Charles V. Carter and the other participants.
Judge Speer expressed surprise at the transformation the dining hall had undergone; he praised the taste which was displayed by the ornamentation of the room, but not until he had been assigned to the seat of honor and had glanced at the legend on the delicately printed menu cards did the true state of affairs dawn upon him. Then his surprise knew no bounds.
Here, too, a strange coincidence was discovered,--not the fearful thirteenth table of which so many have a dread, but, corresponding with the years of the judge’s life, sat forty two grown persons, and the three graces were represented by three children who had been included in the invitation, the smaller children having dined an hour earlier.
The tables were arranged in three sides of a square, the open side being utilized for the center piece, which consisted of a huge vase filled with wild flowers, ferns, etc. the guests were disposed in the order shown on the accompanying plan.
- Judge Speer
- Sir Leonard Tilley
- Miss Speer
- Eugene F. Fay, Brookline, Mass
- Mrs. R. S. Gardiner, Newton Mass
- George tiffany St. Logis, Mo
- Miss Lunn, Montreal
- Mrs. Dexter Tiffany, St. Louis, Mo
- Miss Campbell, Montreal
- Miss Meeker, NY
- Fred. W. Meeker, NY
- R. B. Van Horne, Montreal
- Mrs. W. C. Van Horne, Montreal
- Mrs. Hurd, Montreal
- Mrs. Isaac Denby, Montclair, NJ
- Mrs. C. F. Smith, Saint John
- Mrs. George Innes, Montclair, NJ
- Mrs. George Innes, Montclair
- F. J. Lewis, Washington, DC
- Mrs. F. J. Lewis
- Mrs. M. P. Lewis
- Miss Lewis
- Miss F. A. Hensecker, Montreal
- Dr. G. B. Orr, Cincinnati
- Mrs. Orr
- Mrs. Hensecker, Montreal
- Dexter Tiffany, St. Louis
- Miss Addie Van Horne, Montreal
- Miss H. M. Campbell
- Miss Van Horne [Mary?}
- Miss Hensecker
- Mrs. Mercer, Newark, NJ
- Dr. Mercer
- G. Tileston Wells, NY
- Charles G. Packer, Newark, NJ
- Miss Dora Gardiner
- Mrs. J. H. Merrill, Boston
- J. E. Merrill, Boston
- Mrs. Charles V. Carter
- R. E. Armstrong
- Mrs. E. F Fay, Brookline, Mass
- Robert S. Gardiner, Newton, Mass
- Lady Tilley
Beacon
June 29/1899
Sir William Van Horne took a run to St. Andrews last Friday, and spent a few hours inspecting the works that are in progress on Minister’s Island. He was accompanied by Miss Mary Van Horne, who will remain at Covenhoven until the rest of the family arrives.
Beacon
Sept 19, 1901
Lady Van Horne and Miss Mary Van Horne have gone to Montreal to be present on the occasion of the prince’s reception in that city.
Beacon
July 31, 1902
Miss Van Horne, who is an authority on fungi, gave an extremely interesting illustrated address on mushrooms, edible and poisonous, before the Summer School of Science at St. Stephen on Monday evening.
Beacon
July 30/1903
Sir William Van Horne and Miss Mary Van Horne arrived from Montreal last Friday. Sir William spent a few quiet days here and then took his departure for more active scenes.
Beacon
Oct 22/1903
Miss Mary Van Horne sister of Sir William Van Horne is in a very critical condition causing her friends get anxiety. Except when called away on urgent business, sir William has been by his sister’s bedside ever since she was brought to St. Andrews this year.
Beacon
Oct 29/1903
Miss Mary Van Horne has so far recovered that she was able to be taken to Montreal yesterday. A special train took her thither.