The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-06-29
HOME MATTERS.


Masonic fraternity at Ottawa on Monday was q
grand affair, and will be long remembered by
| our citizens. The day was beautiful. The rain
of the preceding Saturday had layed the dust
and cooled the air, 80 that, though the afternoon
was quite warm, it was not hot enough to make
it unpleasant in the shade. .
Early in the morning, the decorations of the
exterior of the masonic lodge, and OF numerous
business places and private dwellings gave token
of the coming festivities. Many Of these decora-
lions were really beautiful, and all significant
and appropriate. To describe few would be
invidious-all, would occupy too much space.
The letter G, the Red Cross, the square and
compass were the favorite symbols, wrought out
in hundred fanciful ways with evergreens and
flowers.
The various lodges of the city met at season.
able hour in the morning to be ready for recep-
ton and escort duties. The first ceremony in
the reception way took place in the Hall of Oc-
cidental Lodge, in the formal reception Of r. w.
JEROME r. CORN, Grand Master of Illinois, and
of NJ. E. ORLIN H. MINER, Grand High Priest
of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State Of
Illinois. These eminent masonic dignitaries re-
ceived most hearty greeting by the numerous
brethren assembled, to which they responded in
appropriate and feeling terms.
The local lodges, headed by band and the
Ottawa Commandery of knight Templars as
escort, now termed in procession, and marched
to the depot to receive the various, lodges, chap
tiers and Communicates expected on the western
train. A goodly number having arrived with
the train, they were duly escorted to Washington
Hall, where dinner awaited them. The process.
sion then returned to the depot, and performed
the like grateful service for the brethren arriving
on the eastern train an hour later. From 10 to
reference to this dinner which prepared at the
expense OF the masonic fraternity Of Ottawa, lest
We be accused OF landing it too highly from local
pride and Partially, we shall simply copy what
is said by brother STEELE, of the Wilmington
independent, who was present and partook, and
is evidently Judge of good INITIALS" Says he !:
"At Washington Hall five rows of tables were
found loaded with the most solid and substantial
| comforts, as we'll as the most choice and dainty
delicacies ever spread before the most fastidious
epieure. To say that full justice was done to
the luxurics would feebly portray the real state
of the case. Suffice it to say that all had excel
lent appetites, and all were more than satisfied.
| The manner in which it was served, and the
kindness and attention paid to those around the
festive board, We're topics of highest praise and
remark by all The dinner was given by the
Masons of Ottawa, and was prepared by the
ladies of the First Congregational Church of
| Ottawa. Never was fairer or more attentive
galaxy of beauty assembled to tender hospitality
to visitors before Aside from.the gorgeous dis
play on the table, the Hall was most beautifully
decorated with flowers, evergreens, and masonic
emblems and notices. behold how good and
how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity" in large letters stretched across one
entire end of the hall. Other notices: "Holi-
ness to the Lord :" "Brotherly Love, Relief and
Truth !" "Silence and Circumspection and the
like, with various decorative surroundings, adorn-
ed different portions of the Hall.
At about'9l9 o'clock the procession was formed
on Clinton street, under the direction of Comp.
John Morrill,, as grand marshal, assisted by
numerous aids. Ottawa Commandery X. T.
took the lead az escort, with the Great Western
Bond of Chicago at their head, and then followed
all in beautiful order, as designated in the pro-
gramme, the brethren of the following lodges:
Joliet Commandery, X. L.