, 1861-10-24

We regret to announce the death Of our
venerable fellow citizen, Thomas Wldey,
Etq,, who died suddenly this morning, while
seated at the breakfast table, at his residence,
Was d1opsy Of the heart. Mr.. Wildey w.s a
Wioower, bis wife having died some time Elnce,
and was without children.
Mr. Wildey WAS extensively known through
out the country. as the founder Of Tho
Independent Order Of Odd Follows in
iise and progress Of this truly truly 5enos.
cent Order is Of the most interesting charac
tr, and did our limits permit, VIC would avail
ourzelyea Of tic shundant materials ut hand
to give full and particular account, In tho
enrit part Of the present century VIC havo
cd Organization Of Lodges Of ODD Follows IN
this country, founded upon the institution
,rhich existed In England, but the practice OF
which, ~ compared with that better aud
no'flcr organization which grow out Of these
attt mr'a. WAS ~ different ~ day Is from
tn xrt In thls city ~ carly nj 1so,. and othcts
III different parla Of the country but nouo Of
these accomplished any 'cliu!tO results, and 1t
Har reserved for s1r. WILDLY to be tho llrdt
to give 10 i. "a local hab!tatton md n nsmc."
lis xuthcntic or!gIr may DO considered ~
dating from the a;th Of April, 1919, at which
time was organized Washington Lodge No. ],
WHEN was assembled, at the "Seven Stars"
tavern in Second street, kept by William, Lup-
ton, under call FROM Thomns WildtY, the
following persons, who claimed to have been
Instituted in the Ordet In other places Thos.
Wldey, John We1ch, John Duncan, john
Cheathan, and Richard Rushwortb. It WAS
originally selfinstitued, ind designed to ope-
rate according to the aucient usaxes Of fhc
Union or London Order; which plaa was sopn
after Abandoned, and the work changed to that
Of the Independent Order, md under the
ueapes of this branch Of the Order II hprame
| necessary to obtain dispensation from soma
competent autho1ity, which authority Was OBJ
taired through the Duke Of York's Lodge, In
| Preston, England, during the latter part Of
| 1919.
It is no part Of our Intention to follow the
| rapid advancement Of the Order through the
| years which have elapsed since that time suf-
ice it to say, that it has gone on increasing
from year to year, until it now contains =
| membership Of more than two hundred thou
sand, divided into lodges and extending over
the length and breadth Of the Union. Coupled
with this well known fact, it is worthy OF
note that the Order expends a2nualIy about
| one million Of dollars in the support Of the
sick, and for benefits to the widow and or.
rEan, while large sums are psid annually for
the education Of orphanA The philanthropic
character OF the organization msy be judged
of by the brief narration Of these f4cts.
MT N!ldey, nom the tine OF the first In.
terest in Its weltnre, and xas prominent in
everything calculated to advance It's useful
ness. He has filed every position OF honor
it Was II the gift of the members to bestoW
and was the first Grand Sire when the Grand
Lodge q the United 8tates was instituted
and charitable dikpoaition, and the needy
never aEpied to him in vain He Was na
tive Of England. but came 10 this country al
| N carly age.--J6dH&1:tore 13ztriaf, Fist