The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-28
Improved Order of Red Men
Institution Of the Great Council OF
! West Virginia.
Dedication Ceremonies
Description of the Hall!

! Yesterday afternoon the Great Coun.
Gil of West Virginia was duly insti,
tuted in accordance with the unique
forms of the Order by Past G. I. An
drew j. Baker, of Pennsylvania, who
was duly deputized by James A, Par
soDs, of New Jersey, the Great Ineo-
honee of the United States, A large
number of Past Sachems were instructed
and admitted.
The following named Gr,at Chiefs
were elected and duly "raised up:'
VIM. Winder, of No. 2, Great Sachem
Frederick Merkel, of Ne. l, Great Senior
Sycamore; Joseph n. Cook, of No. g.
Great Junior Sycamore; John w. Mann,
of No. 2, Great Prophet; James Fl. Rid
die, of No. 2, Great Chief of Records;
Charles Holly, of No. l, Great Keeper
of Wampum. The Great Sachem ap'
pointed William Shaeffer, of No. 2,
Great Sannap; Charles F. Ditman, OF
No. l, Great Guard of Wigwam; and
William Melrs, Great Guard of Forest.
The Great Council OF West Virginia
starts under most favorable auspices.
There is at present quite large mum
Der of members of the Order in the
State, and We understand that there are
several places where the Order will
soon be introduced. We hope ere long
to be able to chronicle the institution
of new Tribes in these localities.
After't the Institution very interest
ing address was made by P. G. 1. Baker.
The Great Council then adjourned TO
meet on the fourth Thursday in next
month.
The new hall in Crangle's Block, just
finished for the use of the tribes Of the
Improved Order of Red NJ en- of this city,
was dedicated last night in the presence
of very large and deeply interested
audience.
The hall is 20 feet in length by 40
feet in width and is most admirably ar
ranged for the purposes of the Order,
with necessary anterooms and other
appurtenances. The interior is fitted
up to represent forest Running down
to the waters edge. Through the woods
may be seen the red men chasing the
wild deer, or seated round the council
fire. On the limbs of the trees owls
and other birds rest. Over the door at
the entrance to the room, high up on
point of rocks, stands a sentinel Indian,
dignifed, calm, stolid. Just to the left
of the person entering the door and III
front of a rocky projection, is warrior
with his tomahawk raised, as if in the
act of striking at the intruder Behind
each of the officers a wigwam is painted,
open in front, and in which are hanging
the usual Indian implements Of warfare
and the chase. The ceiling is painted
to represent the sky at night, and there
glitters the new moon surrounded by
myriad stars. The hall was painted by
Mr.. Morganrauth, of Pittsburgh, and is
most credtable work Of art.
OBLIGATORY CEREMONIES.
At s O'clock the Great Council, escort
ing P. G. l. Baker, entered the hall,
while dedicatory ode was sung by the
choir of ladies and gentlemen present
At the close Of the singing. the build
ing com mittee were presented and de-
livered to the Great Sacnem an account
of their work. After their report had
been accepted, the Master of Ceremo.
MES ordered it to be proclaimed in the
East, South, West and North that the
hall was dedicated to Freedom, Friend
ship and Charity.
The Great Prophet then came forward
and sprinkling pure water upon the
floor, dedicated the Wigwam to the
Great Spirit and invoked His blessing
upon the brethren there assembled.
After prayer by the Rev, MIR. Cross,
another anthem was sung by the choir,
when the Master of Ceremonies intro.
duced P. G. l. Baker, who delivered a
very happy and appropriate address on
the origin of the Order, its design and
progress. Other brief addresses were
made, when the audience was dismissed
well pleased with what they had seen
and heard, and wishing the Improved
Order of Red Men every prosperity.