Perhaps some would say several of our party should have heeded the
warnings of the blind astrologers, so plentiful in China, or stopped
joking when we received number thirteen for dinner cards, hat checks and
auto drivers' checks, but, strange as it may seem, on the very day that
we were joking about the prevalence of "number 13" we had a very narrow
escape. At any rate the most beloved member of the party, Mrs. Carrie
Schwabacker (affectionately known as "Mother McCree"), nearly lost her
life. Harry Dana, Cleve T. Shaffer and the writer, were with her in the
small motor boat, returning from an entertainment given at a Chinese
banker's home on the Pearl River (we were sure they referred to a black
pearl when they named it, as the water looked like ink) and the craft
became stuck in the mud and the propeller was impeded. The big river
steamer, which we were due to catch, waited twenty minutes for us and
when we finally got alongside the steamer, the Chinese boatman tied us
to it as it was starting, in spite of our protests. Naturally, the
little boat was dragged underneath the large rapidly moving steamer. One
of the boatmen was thrown overboard. By desperate efforts we were saved
from capsizing and the little boat broke loose from the steamer bearing
her down, so we did not catch up with the party until a day later.
If Neptune Day was a huge success, then "Sanguinetti's Night" was a
triumph. The old "Frisco Restaurant" reappeared on board ship, cartoons
were on the walls (cleverly drawn by Miss Marion Doolan), the floor was
sawdust covered. Red ties, stockings and skirts were in demand. Mrs.
Evan's brilliant scarf made one costume for the borrower, everyone
looked unbelievably tough in the costumes appropriate for this Italian
affair. Candles gave a dim light. There were samples of "Apache
Dancing." Spaghetti and ravioli were enjoyed along with the red wine
that flowed freely, while the orchestra played only Italian and "Jazz"
pieces. Will anyone ever forget Mrs. Schwartz's wonderful rendition of
the "Lost Italian girl?" Miss Schlessinger won the prize for being the
best "Vamp."
In the smoking room and on deck, Mah Gongg, for awhile, vied with
bridge, but the old standby (enlivened with prizes) proved more popular
on the homeward trip. If noise was any indication, then the last few
days, when the deck sport prizes were being played for, were hugely
enjoyed by all. Capt. E. Salisbury, C. J. Okell, S. N. Haslett, Jr. and
H. S. Dana were among the star players. Dr. Woolsey and J. F. Geise were
also "fans."
Christmas will always be another happy memory. The carols, the marching
around the ship of the choristers Christmas Eve, the services and the
story of Christmas by Mrs. Barton gave a contrast of seriousness that
made us appreciate the frivolities all the more. How cheery the dining
room was with its garlands of red berries and huge Christmas tree,
swaying with the motion of the ship, and what fun when jovial and
popular Captain Nelson, as Santa Claus gave a present to all. How
surprised and happy the Captain, the officers and Mr. Grady were when
Warren Shannon presented them with the beautiful gifts purchased by our
party. Everyone was coaxed to display their "parlor tricks." Warren
Shannon gave his masterpiece "Tiger Fat," Reese Lewellyn sang, followed
by Mrs. Schwabacker's charming rendition of "What Irishmen Mean by
McCree," Dr. Thomas Hill recited cleverly, Mrs. Brandeis read the
farewell poem she had written, Mrs. Brown sang beautifully. Will we ever
see a Korean costume without thinking of Louis Mooser and the excellent
resolutions of thanks he drew and how he regretted the loss of his first
diary? If it was half as clever as the second diary we can well
understand his feelings. The laughter, singing and dancing kept up until
way past midnight. No wonder everyone seemed in the best of health and
spirits after this wonderful tour.
Last Few Days of Trip
The women of the party, led by Mrs. Frank Panter, gave a vote of thanks
for being permitted to be a part of such an important tour penetrating
an area where 900,000,000 souls are living, and wrote a resolution to
the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to that effect. It was up to the
women to send "the last word" from the party, as Ou Wee of Canton, said,
"The women of America are the real dictators,' 'and since the days of
Eve, every man knows that women must have the "last word." But after
seeing the treatment of the Oriental women, all the party of the
feminine gender, were doubly glad to be Americans and to be going home.
We all understand the meaning of the phrase, "The best part of going
away is the coming back," and when we contemplated that the famous
"Peace Ship" could only stand it for three days, we felt quite pleased
with our three months' record of friendly relationship, not only with
our associates on board ship, but also with all those of the Orient, on
this, the First Commercial Relationship Tour that any Chamber of
Commerce has ever attempted and successfully accomplished.
Mrs. R. S. Atkins Mr. D. K. Grady
Mrs. George Alexander Mrs. D. K. Grady
Mr. F. S. Ballinger Miss Elizabeth M. Graham
Mrs. F. S. Ballinger Mr. S. M. Haslett. Jr.
Mrs. Florence Barnard Mr. H. Hastings
Mrs. Louise Barton Dr. T. L. Hill
Miss Lucille Bell Mr. C. W. Hinchcliffe
Mrs. M. S. Bercovich Mr. Frank Howlett
Mr. Fred W. Boole Mrs. Frank Howlett
Mrs. Fred W. Boole Miss Elizabeth Howlett
Mrs. Arthur Brandeis Mr. Frank Howlett, Jr.
Mr. Henry S. Bridge Miss Flora Hunter
Mrs. Henry S. Bridge Miss Alena Hunter
Miss Marjorie Bridge Mr. Louis James
Miss Barbara Bridge Mrs. Louis James
Mr. Louis C. Brown Mr. Chas. H. James
Mrs. Louis C. Brown Mrs. Chas. H. James
Mr. Roy J. Chapman Miss Rosalie T. James
Miss Jessie Craig Dr. M. J. Judell
Mr. J. Parker Currier Mr. H. L. Judell
Mrs. J. Parker Currier Sidney P. Kahn
Mrs. A. M. Cudahy Miss R. Kinslow
Mr. H. S. Dana Mr. Francis KruIl
Mrs. S. C. Denson Mrs. Francis Krull
Mrs. E. Dinkelspiel Mr. C. B. Lastreto
Miss Marian Doolan Mrs. C. B. Lastreto
Mrs. Jas. P. Dunne Mrs. R. R. Livingston
Miss Louise Elliott Mr. D. L. Llewllyn
Mr. A. I. Esberg Mr. Reese Llewllyn
Mrs. A. I. Esberg Mr. A. B. Luther
Miss Belle Espeset Mrs. A. B. Luther
Dr. C. W. Evans Mrs. Anna B. Luther
Mrs. C. W. Evans Mr. P. L Lykins
Mrs. Bruce Foulkes Mrs. P. L. Lykens
Mr. M. A. Gale Mr. P. J. Lyon
Mrs. M. A. Gale Mr. C. H. Mattlage
Dr. Amelia Gates Mrs. C. H. Mattlage
Mrs. Angeline Gee Mr. Byron Mauzy
Mrs. J. F. Geise Mr. B. M. McCrory
Mr. Louis Glass Mr. Constant Meese
Miss Sally Glide Miss Charlotte Moore
Mr. Louis H. Mooser Mrs. S. L. Schwartz
Dr. A. W. Morton Miss G. A. Shaffer
Mr. A. W. Morton, Jr. Mr. Cleve Shaffer
Miss Mary Moynihan Mr. Warren Shannon
Mr. Wm. Muir Mrs. Warren Shannon
Mr. A. T. Neff Miss Alma Simon
Mrs. A. T. Neff Mr. F. H. Speich
Miss Lucretia Neff Mrs. F. H. Speich
Mr. C. J. Okell Mr. Wm. Symon
Mrs. C. J. Okell Mrs. Wm. Symon
Dr. F. E. Orella Miss May Slessinger
Mrs. F. E. Orella Mr. C. A. Thayer
Mr. Frank Panter Mrs. C. A. Thayer
Mrs. Frank Panter Mrs. H. W. Thomas
Dr. Kaspar Pischel Mr. Geo. Vranizan
Mrs. Kaspar Pischel Mrs. Geo. Vranizen
Mr. Geo. Russell Reed Mr. Edward C. Wagner
Mrs. Geo. Russell Reed Mrs. Edward C. Wagner
Miss Frances Reed Mrs. M. S. Washburn
Miss Margaret Rice Mr. Carl Westerfeld
Captain R. Robinson Mrs. J. D. Wheeler
Mrs. L. Ross Mr. Fred J. Wood
Mr. Louis Rothenberg Mrs. Fred J. Wood
Mrs. Louis Rothenberg Dr. C. H. Woolsey
Mrs. Carrie Schwabacher Mr. Chas. Yates
Capt. E. Salisbury Mrs. Violet Yates
Mr. S. L. Schwartz