H. C. Fry celebrated his 80th birthday

WORKERS AND CITIZENS HONOR HENRY CLAY FRY

CITIZENS EMPLOYEES AND FRIENDS HOLD SPECIAL HOLIDAY, PAGEANT AND MUSIC ON HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

The greatest honor ever paid a private citizen in the history of Rochester, Pa., and vicinity was conferred Friday, the seventeenth of the month, by the citizens of the Junction City and surrounding towns upon Henry Clay Fry, noted citizen, dean of glass manufacturers, philanthropist, Civil War veteran and Rochester's "grand old man," on the occasion of his eightieth birthday anniversary. A half-holiday marked the celebration as a tribute to Mr. Fry.

Members of the executive committee, borough council, board of education, Grand Army and Ladies of the Grand Army with ministers of the town assembled at the municipal building at 1.45 o'clock and were conveyed in automobiles to the public park where appropriate exercises were conducted. Mr. Fry occupied a seat upon the platform in front of which seated the members of his family.

The exercises opened with a selection by the H. Fry Glass Company band, of which J. Howard Fry, son of H. C. Fry, Sr., is manager. After an invocation the chairman of the executive committee in charge of the celebration, thanked the citizens of Rochester and vicinity for the greatest expression of appreciation ever shown in the town. Judge Baldwin of Rochester, paid high tribute to Mr. Fry before introducing H. P. Hartley of Beaver as the first speaker. Mr. Hartley briefly sketched the business life of Mr. Fry and extended congratulations to him on behalf, of the business men of Rochester.

Judge M. F. Mecklem of Rochester, who was the next speaker, said the history of Mr. Fry is the history of Rochester and that he was known all over the world for having given to Rochester the largest glass factory in the world. Rev. Robert L Wilson, pastor of the First Baptist church of which Mr. Fry is a charter member, presented Mr. Fry with a silver loving cup and basket containing 80 beautiful red roses, on behalf, of the citizens of Rochester.

H. C. Fry, Sr.

This cup bears the inscription: "Presented to Henry Clay Fry by the citizens of Rochester, Pennsylvania, as a token, of their gratitude for his kindness and appreciation of his leadership in the industrial development of the community. September 17, 1920."

Following the presentation telegrams bearing congratulations from Thomas Rowes of Charleston, W. Va., ex-president of the National American Flint Glass Workers Union and from Joseph Gilhooly, vice president of the National Glass Workers Union, were read. During the day many telegrams of congratulations were received from business friends and competitors of Mr. Fry, in all parts of the country and some cablegrams from foreign countries.

James Simmons, president of Local No. 25, American Flint Glass Workers Union, was the last speaker and told of the harmonious relations that always existed between members of the union and Mr. Fry, whom they lovingly called "Daddy" Fry and the "grand old man of the glass business." Before concluding the exercises Mr. Fry said: "It is utterly impossible to express the depth of my feelings, I thought I was not deserving of this great honor, and after all the good things that have been said about me I'll think I am a great man."

A baseball game between professional and business men against the office force and factory employees of the Fry glass plant, in which the latter were victorious by a score of 10 to 6, followed.

At 8 o'clock a public reception was held at the Welcome Club of which Mr. Fry was the founder. During the reception fully 800 people extended their felicitations and clasped the hand of Mr. Fry.

The event was a never to be forgotten one and proved a fitting tribute to a worthy citizen by a grateful people.

The entire, affair, marked as it was by a warmth of friendship, speaks fully, for Mr. Fry's character and personality as a friend.