Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-05-04
Odd Fellows Celebration.

Sdd CIOWS SGl6DIdClOu.
The celebration of the 4Sth anniversary of
the introduction of Odd Fellowship into the
United States, on Friday last. which was
gotten up under the auspices of Mokelumne
Lodge, and participated in by members of
the various Lodges in this and Amador
counties. was in every particular a magni6-
cent success. The most extensive prepara-
tions had been made by those who had the
making of the necessary arrangements COM
mltted to their charge, and nothing was
left undone, no pains or expense spared, to
celebrate the day in I manner worthy Of the
great occasion it was intended to commemo-
rate. The day was as pleasant as heart
could wish. Not cloud obscured the sky,
while cool, refreshing breeze rendered the
temperature delightful. The town presented
as clean. neat and tasteful appearance as a
maiden dressed in holiday attire. The streets
through which the procession was to pass
had been carefully swept and were lined on
either side with pines and cedars. The
principal buildings. the Odd Fellows Hall,
Hotel d'Europe, United States Hotel and
others, were tastefully decorated with wreaths
of flowers, banners and festoons of ever
greens. Mokelumne Hill never before pre-
sented so charming a spectacle. From an
carly hour in the morning until the COM
mencement of the ceremonies, buggies laden
with ladies and gentlemen were constantly
arriving, and long b fore the time for the
formation Of the procession, the streets were
thronsed with people. At ten o'clock,
members of the Order from distance were
entertained by Mokelumne I.otig, in their
hall; but as the press was denied admit
tance within its portals, we are unable to
relate what transpired. At one o'clock the
procession was formed in front of the Odd
Fellows Hall by P. g., b. X. Thorn, Grand
Marshal, assisted by his aids, P. G's, G E.
! Sloss and c. B. Hopkins, in the following
order: Sutter Creek Brass Band, ten
pieces; Mokelumne Lodge No. A, 60 mem
bers; San Andreas Lodge No. 56, so men,
bers; Representatives from other Lodges.
40 members; Lone Star Encampment, 25
members; carriages containing the Grand
Officers, Orator of the Day, and invited
guests. The procession marched up Main
street to Lafayette, down Lafayette to Pros
pect. up Prospect to Church, down Church
to Main, through Main to Centre, down
| Gentra a Short distapoo oor,.orr,,r.bo -. !
proceeded to the Sanger Halle where the
oration was delivered. As the procession
moved through the streets to the inspiring
strains of music, with banners floating
proudly in the breeze, Its members dressed in
the regalia and decorated with the insignia
of the Order, it formed one of the largest and
most imposing pageants ever witnessed in
Mokelumne Hill. The balconies of the
Hotel dEurope and United States Hotel
were crowded with fashionably attired ladies,
the witchery of whose smiles lent an addi-
tional charm to the scene. Sanger Halle
was filled to repletion by those anxious to
hear the Grafton. After music by the band
and solemn and impressive prayer had
been offered, by the Chaplain. Rev. N. N.
Van Eaton. Hon. s. W. Brockway, Orator
of the Day, was introduced to the audience
and held them spell bound for the space of
three-fourths of an hour. The Grafton was
mastery production, skillfully prepared
and eloquently delivered. and fully sustained
I Nr Rroct uy'c 6
the first speakers in the State. He spoke of
the trials of the past, the prosperity of the
present and the glorious prospects of the
future, for the Order. painting in glowing
language the benefits which it has conferred
on mankind, and proving conclusively that
| Odd Fellowship is. and has been, one of the
greatest aids to the civilization and enlight-
enment of the world. The address was at
tentively listened to throughout. and at its
conclusion the audience testified their appre-
citation of its merits, by loud applause. An
ode, sung by members Of the Order, con-
cluded the exercises at the hall. The pro-
| cession again formed and marched to the Odd
| Fellows Hall, when the degree of Rebeka
was conferred on number of ladies by NJ.
w. G. NJ, 1. n. Randolph. We presume
the ceremonies were interesting. but as we
were not allowed to participate, we can only
venture an opinion.
! The ball given in the evening. at Lcger's
Hall, was without exception the most nu-
merouslv attended, best conducted party we
have ever witnessed in this town. The bull-
room was superbly decorated with mirrors.
pictures. banners. wrea.hs of flowers. and
/ emblems of Odd Fellowship, while ever
greens hung in graceful arches and festoons
/ entirely around the room. We but echo the
| sentiments of all present when we say that
/ the most exquisite taste was displayed bv
those who decorated the hall. The room
was much better lighted than usual. several
additional chandeliers being obtained for
| that purpose. About nine o'clock the mu-
>lcians took their position in the gallery and
dancing commenced. When the hall was
/ illuminated, the floor filed with elegantly
attred ladies and gentlemen the mirrors and
pictures rejecting the rays of the chandeliers
with dazzling brilliancy, jewels flashing in
the light with a brightness only surpassed by
/ the eyes of their fair owners, the room filled
/ with the soft melody of the sweetest music
we ever heard one could scarcely divest
| himself of the idea that he had not suddenly
been transported to fairy-land. At twelve
o'clock all descended to the refreshment
room and partook of one of the best suppers
ever spread before hungry party. factions
speak louder than words and judging the
merits of the repast by the justice done to it,