The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-09-01
Laying the Cornerstone Of The
New Cgpt-H0EsG.
IMMENSE THRONES OF PEOPLE.
Splendid Procession.
Ceremonies. Eusic, Dinner.
sc, &c. &c.

The 18th OF August, y ID. 1870,
was "a day long t. be remembered by
the people of Marshall county, and
hundreds Of visitors from cities and
country, far and near, who left their
homes and their occupations, 10 come
and celebrate with us the foundation of
Il public enterprise, which shall rebound
to the glory and material advantageof the
citizens Of this county.
About the middle of last June. the
building committee. c. Cushman,
\. G.. Capron and johnson Brownlce-
invited Tie Masonic order, through
Lodge No. 1l9, Of Plymouth, to super
intend the laying OF the cornerstone ct
the new court house, now in course Of
construction in Plymouth. The inv
tation was probably extended to that
order for the reason that within Its
folds are represented all nationalities,
religions and crccds, and that by reason
cf the strength and energy Of the or
der In this place, The arrangement for
the ceremony would be marr eifectually
carried cut than if entrusted to any
other body Of men. The invitation
was accepted by the Lodge, and the
following general committee appointed
TO make the necessary arrangements Tor
the ceremony: j. c. Cushman, W. W.
Hill, II. G.. T'hayer, O. IL p Bailey,
VI. II. Rice. II. G. Thayer was sub
sequently elected secretary Of the conf
~1uittee, and W. W. Hill, treasurer. The
labors Of this committee we're onerous
and almost unceasing. To say that
they discharged their duties faithfully,
promptly and efficiently, is but a feeble
expression of the truth.
Invitations were sent to nearly twen-
ty different organizations TO participate
in the ceremonies of the day, a major
ity Of which were accepted. Those not
accepting sent regrets of their inability
to attend.
It was the intention from the first
that al invited guests from a distance
should be entertained during their stay
here, free Of charge and to accom-
piish this, a considerable amount of
4noney would be needed, rs well as lib
cral contributions Of provisions. The
necessary means were promptly sub
scribed by Nasons and other liberal
citizens; and contributions Of proyisions
were liberal beyond all a~nticiyations.
rs the time drew nigh, for which 50
many were anxiously waiting, the fear
OF a failure was felt, on account Of the
weather, which, up 10 the evening Of
the 9th, had been very dry ard dusty;
but on the night previous, a bountiful
shower laid the dust and cooled the at
mosphere to a most delightful tenipcra-
turc. If Providence sent the rain, tho
people were thankful and if il was not
Providence that sent it, they were
thankful anyhow.
On the morning of the 18th, every
thing was life and activity ON our streets
The Odd-Feliows, Masons aid Firemer
were actively putting on their holiday
attire, that they might properly receive
their visitors.
At 9:20. the first arrival Of guest,
was from Laportc. South Bend, &c.
and IN q few minutes the train from
Chicago,vIa til Pittsburgh road brought
two carload more, accompanied b.
Nevons q Deans city band. 1t 1875
the special train from IT. Wayne ar
rived. bringing six full carloads, viii
the Warsaw band, AMI Jones TT
WAYNE band and at I1:i5 the specia
trap Of seven ears FROM Peru arrived
and this crowd was being auenientc,
every moment by long lines Of teamt
from every direction. Ut II o'clock
Just previous to the movement Of tho
procession TO the grove, Michigan street
and the streets crossing it, appeared t.
be a solid mass Of human beings.
The procession formed in the follow
ing order, and marched to the grove
where dinner was prepared
1s,-An E-ncampmenis Of Knights Tcmplai
present. under thei= own officers.
2i-Au lodges Of Old Fellows present.
s~d-Flymouth Fire Department
dtb-Sione Cutter Association.
5th-Masons and Carpenters employed
on the court house.
sth--AIl lodges of Masons present fror
outside Of the colnty.
1tff-B0urb0n lodge.
~Sth-Argos iodge.
9,h-Bremen lodge.
10th--Plymogth lodge.
Ilth--Oticers OF the GRAND Lodgc.
Arriving at the grove, visitors and al
others who had not before been on the
grounds, were astonished at the extent
and completeness of all the arrange
ments for the acco nmodation Of guests
the length. Of the tables aggregated
over sixteen hundred feet, all laden witt
a most bountiful supply Of provisions o.
almost every name and kind. One gen
tleman, from TT. Wayne, thought that tc