Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-04-27
THE ODD FEL1owSa CELEBR ATOM

THE OBJ FELLOWS CELEBRATIoN.-
Though the turnout of the members of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows yester-
day asnot as general as was anticipated,
yet the display was grand and imposing.
Clothed in the regalia representing the dit
ferent degrees of the Order, they demon
strated the fact that Peace has Iher victo-
ries. Here were men who, but, for the be-
nign influence brought to bear upon them
by this Order, would have lived and died
strangers. and careless OF each others well
fare. Now, by the mystic ties of brother
hood, they win one for the other victories
over want and suffering, and render the
death-bed peaceful in the thought that wife
and childrensare in the hands of friends.-
We counted 504 persons in the line, exclu-
sive of the two bands, not more than
half the members in this city.
After pursuing the line of march as'pub-
lished in the STATESMAN yesterday morn
ing, they arrived at the Opera House,
where they found large audience of ladies
awaiting them. After music by Hem
mersbach's band and singing the opening
ode by the brotherhood, they listened to a
stirring address in German from Bro. Had
deaus. At its close there was music by
Towler's band and singing. After this, the
Rev. L. D. Williamson, Grand Chaplain,
delivered the address of the day. The Rev.
gentleman had evidently not calculated the
size Oft the building, or had not voice enough
to fill it, for those in the back part of the
lobby could not hear word.
AT the close of the exercises at the Opera
House, the procession reformed, and
marched to Odd Fellows Hall, when they
were dismissed, assembling again at
night with their wives and daughters in
social and festal interchange of courtesies
and sentiment.
The following, clipped from a cotempo-
rary, explains the origin and progress of
Odd Fellowship in the United States:
The Order was first introduced into this
country by Thomas w. Wildey, an En-
glishman, and blacksmith by trade, who,
with four others, on the 26th day of April,
1919 just forty-eight years ago to-day, in
stituted at Baltimore, Washington Lodge
No. /, which procured its charter from the
Manchester Unity" as the Grand Lodge
of the United States; and from this small
beginning Odd Fellowship in this country
has grown to its present proportions.
According TO the regulations lald down
by the Grand Lodge, subordinate assOcia-
tions may be formed, to consist of not less
than five members, who must be males over
twenty one years of age, and the amount
generally required as dues is fixed at from
81 to SO per year-the benefits arising be-
ing in proportion to the payments.
There are but five degrees in the Order
the White, the Covenant, the Royal Blue,
the Remembrance and the Scarlet. In adj
dition to these, however, there is the Order
of Rebekah, for the wives of members, and
which was instituted in this country in
1851.
The primary associations elect members
to State Grand Lodge, and these again
appoint delegates to the National Grand
Lodge.
According to the official returns of 1860.
there were in the United States 3,548
lodges, with 173,3lS members in good
standing; and the relief granted amounted
to '$54S, ,746.95-the total for thirty years
having amounted to $S,47S,52S Al. Since
that time, however, despite the condition
of the country, the order has prospered be-
yond all precedent, and it is probable that
it now embraces within its folds at least
100000 members.