The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-02-27
Conservation of ODD Fellows' Rest

/
beautiful than the Odd Fellows procession yester
day-more solemn and impressive than the ceremo
MES attending the conservation of ssOdd Fellows
Rest the burial ground which the Order has pro
vlded for the last resting place of its members
when they depart hence to be no more seen-wher
they go to that bourne from whence no traveller
returns
lovelier day than yesterday could not have
been wished for. The sun shone gorously, the
sky was unclouded, and cool invgorating breeze
mitigated the heat, and was highly conducive to
the comfort of the Brethren who joined in the pro-
cession and participated in the interesting and
affecting ceremonies of the occasion.
About halfpast 9, the Lodges of the Order began
to arrive on the Place dArmes, and at II all OF
them and the several Encampments, with the ex-
ception of Polar Star Lodge No. 10, having arrived
and taken their respective stations, the procession
started Here we must remark that the spectacle
which presented itself as the procession began to
move was exceedingly beautiful. Many of the
Encampments and Lodges had magnificent Banners
with appropriate devices and inscriptions, all of
them hung with black Grape; the members decorated
with the various insignia of the Order, had splen-
did appearance; the elegance of the badges and
other decorations was the subject of general admi
ration; and, in short, more picturesque and beau
tiful spectacle was never seen in New Orleans. A
great crowd had assembled around the Place
| d'ArmeS, and every window and balcony was
| crowded with "fowers of lovefiness," of which
our city can boast SO many, who appeared to take
deep interest in and to be highly delighted with
| the gorgeous spectacle before them. On the pro-
| cesson WENT down Condo and Moreau streets to
Vaudeville, up Vaudeville to Levee, up Levee to
Esplanade, down Espanade to Royal, up Royal to
Canal down north side Canal to Rampant, up Ram
part to south side Canal, up south side Canal to
Camp, up Camp to St. Joseph, down St. Joseph to
the New Basin, thence to the Depot, where car
rages, omnibuses etc. were in waiting to convey
the Order to the Cemetery, the Of the solemn
and impressive ceremonies of the day.
Along the whole line of the procession, the
streets, windows, balconies, and every available
spot where good view could be obtained, were
crowded with spectators, anxious to see the novel
and imposing cortege and EXPLANATIONS of surprise
and admiration were heard on every hand as the
procession passed, the magnificent banners borne
aloft and glittering in the sunlight, the many
colored hues of the elegant collars aprons badges
rosettes, ETC., ETC.. worn by the members, giving
brlIiancy the spectacle, and the excellent bands
of which there were several, discoursing most elo-
quent and appropriate music. The muster of the
Order was very strong, there being about one
thousand members in the procession. The En-
campments out in their full force, and the rich
dresses of the members were greatly admired.
Much of the imposing appearance of the spectacle
was no doubt owing to the admirable manner in
which the Marshas, all of whom were well mount
ed, performed their duties, under the direction of
Gen. Lewis, Chief Marshal of the day. A more
admirably arranged procession was never seen in
New Orleans, and nothing occurred to mar the
brilliant effect.
We have neither time nor space to go into de-
tails, and even if we had we should despair of doing
justice to the many attractive features in this mag
nfcent demonstration by an Order of men whose
motto is Friendship, Love and Truth" We
content ourselves with slightly sketching the ap-
pearance of the cortege, as it moved along our
streets. The Sarcophagus, containing boxes in
which were the remains of l6 deceased members
of the Order, collected from the several cemeteries
to be removed to the new al-ground, had quite
an imposing appearance, and was the subject of
much remark. 1t was fitted up in very appropri-
ate manner, covered with emblems of mourning,
and was drawn by six fine grays, driven by Mr..
Stickney, of the Olympic Theatre, who is one of
the brethren.
When the procession reached the depot, the
members of the Order, under the direction of the
Marshals, took their seats in the omnibuses, car
riages, ETC., provided for the occasion, and pro-
ceeded down the Shell Road to the Halfway
House, where the procession was again formed.
When the head of the procession reached the en-
trance to the 8" Odd Fellows Rest the new &C.
metery, the column opened and SO long the whole
line, and the Lodges entered in reverse order, the
members being uncovered, and the bands playing
solemn and impressive tunes. On entering the
Cemetery, we were astonshed at its appearance.
1t Immediately adjons that beautiful "city of the
Dead" Cypress Grove Cemetery, is capable of
being made equally beautiful, and we doubt not
the Order will soon improve and beautify it, by lay
ing out walks and planting trees and shrubs. The
arrangements were admirable, and we have to
return sincere thanks for the courtesy extended
to us, in common with other members of the press
Many ladies were present, and witnessed the SOL
emn ceremonies which followed.
At the entrance to the Cemetery, we read the
following lines which are really beautiful and ap-
propriate:
"Unveil thy bosom, holy tomb.
Take this new treasure to thy trust;
To slumber in the dust"
When all the members had entered they Were
formed in circle round platform erected in the
centre Of the ground, and the Grand Marshal and
4 number of the brethren presently appeared bear
ing in the boxes containing the remains of deceased
brethren, which they took from the Sarcophagus
and deposited in tomb in front Of the platform
This being reported done by the Chief Marshal,
NJ w. Grand Master Emerson called the assem-
blage to order, and an eloquent and impressive
Prayer was offered up by P. G. M. Whitehall
This was followed by the members singing an ap-
propriate Ode, written by Bro Sheafe. The solemn
| ceremony of dedication and conservation was then
performed by the Grand Chaplain, Bro. Hooper.
After this Psalm was recited by the Chaplain
| and brethren alternately. Then came the Ora
ton, delivered by Bro. J. c. Larue, of which the
| following is report:
BRoTHKRs-We have dedicated the " Odd Fellows
Rest" We have brought hther the ashes of departed