Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 03 January 1902
Presentation to Mr Gibbs
A quiet litttle ceremony of an interesting nature took place on Christmas Day, at the Denaby Main Hotel, when Mr. Gibbs, the genial manager of the hotel, was presented by the barmen with a splendid gold medal, with his monogram inscribed on one side and on the other the words – “Presented to Mr. W. I. Gibbs, as a mark of esteem, by his barmen: Christmas. 1901.”
Mr. H. Fazacherly, the head barman, made the presentation on behalf of himself and his colleagues. He wished Mr. Gibbs to accept the medal not as a Christmas present but mainly as a mark of esteem in which he was held by his employee, who were unanimous when the idea originated. He had been employed by Mr. Gibbs for a long time, and could testify to the good treatment and obliging manner in which he was always treated. They, as barmen, could understand the great amount of responsibility attached to the management of such a large hotel, and speaking for himself (and perhaps the rest of the barmen) he thought Mr. Gibbs was the right man in the right place. (Hear, hear.)
He asked Mr. Gibbs acceptance of their humble present as a mark of esteem in which he was held by his barmen.
Mr. Gibbs, in reply, said it was a most agreeable surprise to him, and he thanked them from the very depths of his heart for the medal, which he would always dearly prize and wear with pride. So far as the conduct of the house was concerned he knew that was always in safe keeping in the hands of such straightforward waiters as he had employed under him and he was glad to say he could not recall one single instance of having to checkmate any one of his barmen.