Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-06
GRAND DAY Ar NoLENsvrLLE.
Laying the Corner Stone of a Masonic
and Odd Fellows HaII-Vast Crowd
-4nteresfI0g Ceremonies = Concert
and TaEsleaHx etc. etc.


The Order Of Masons and Independent
Order Of Odd Fellows, have united in the
work Of erecting suitable Hall at Nolena-
vile, sixteen miles. south of this city in
Williamson county, for their mutual use
and benefit The building is to be large and
commodious, ample for the accommodation
for both orders, and to contain a hall for
such general public purposes as may be
deemed necessary. Nelensville is pleasantly
situated in fertile section, and surrounded
by Dense liberal and intelligent p0pula-
ton. Yesterday was appointed to perform
the ceremonies of laying the corner stone
of the new Hall, in addition to which q
dinner was given by the people in honor of
the event, the occasion closing with grand
concert and tableaux for the benefit of the
Hall. The day was brilliant and every
surrounding was auspicious.
At an early hour yesterday morning,
quite number of the members Of the two
orders left this city TO participate in the
ceremonies. On arrival they found an i'm
mense thrOng collected and collecting from
the surrounding county for many miles in
all directions, manifesting the greatest in
terest and enthusiasm in the occasion and
its object-a large portion being ladies,
whose benignant smiles are never wanting
in behalf of institutions Of charity and
brotherly love.
At the appointed hour the Masons formed
al , and marched to Concert Hall,
where the Odd Fellows were in line await
ing them under the marshalship of Mr.. n.
F. Dortch. The two bodies then formed in
procession, and marched to the foundations
of the building to be erected. Here the
Odd Fellows formed in close order around
the spot the Masons encircling them, and
went through the usual ceremonies of lay
ing the corner stone according to the pre-
scribed Commander the conduct of Rev.
DR. w. d. F. Sawrie, and Messrs. j. l..
Weaklev, NJ. G. Cotton and others. This
being finished, they exchanged places with
the Masons, who in their turn proceeded
to lay the stone in the manner usual in
their ceremonial.
During these interesting proceedings the
immense assemblageo of spectators, estimated
to number from 2O00 to 5000 persons, mani
tested the profoundest attention and int er~
est, evidently regarding them as the begin
ming of a new era IN their social inter
course. At the conclusion of the ceremo-
MES the orders and spectators marched to
Mt. Olivet Church, short distance away,
where they were addressed by Rev. DR.. w.
D. F. Sawrie, in deeply interesting and
fervently eloquent Grafton. The assembly
then repaired to a beautiful grove of
splendid forest trees, where a repast was
served by the good and hospitable people
of Williamson, which embraced all the sub
stantials and delacies of the country. After
the feast the company fingered for some
time in social conversation-some then
going to their homes, while large number
remained for the concert and tableaux,
which were to come off tonight, and, 1t
was anticipated, would be splendid sue
cess. At this point our reporter left, re-
GREETING that he could not remain to the
close Of the very agreeable occasion.