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Potts, a prominent iron ore operator, was made President. Mr. E. C. Humes, President of the First National Bank, delivered the address of welcome to the distinguished guests. Mr. Humes made a spirited address. General Hastings was loudly called for. The General was pretty well exhausted physically, but responded as follows:
“MR. CHAIRMAN AND NEIGHBORS: I thank you more than I can find words to express for this most unmerited compliment. It has always been my ambition to merit the approval and good-will and kindly feeling of my neighbors and fellow-townsmen. If we have done anything within the past few weeks that merits your approval, I am duly thankful, and it shall always be my ambition to merit the good-will of my neighbors in Bellefonte. I will have to ask you to excuse me from making any extended remarks at this time, and for this compliment paid me this evening I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My friend, Colonel Spangler, who was with me all through the troubles, is here, and he can make more extended remarks of our labors there.”
Colonel Spangler was next called upon, and responded with a very interesting but brief review of their work at Johnstown. He said:
“MR. CHAIRMAN, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS: I am placed in a somewhat peculiar situation at this time. I appreciate very kindly what our good
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