Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-05
A CHEERING DEMONSTRATION
Fifteen OF the Odd Fellows Nurses
Escorted In a Grand Process
sion 20 the Depot.
Parting sesnes-Address by Col
n. II. Anderson.

A very pleasing and gratifying dem
onstration was witnessed on our street,
to-day at noon. The occasion was thu
departure Of fifteen lady nurses, thre'
Of them colored, lately in the employ
ment Of the Odd Fellows, for their homes
in New Orleans. They were accom-
panied by a procession Of about one
hundred Odd Fellows in full regalia, with
Geo. w. Mathews as Marshal, escorted
by about thirty members of the Knigh Is
Of Pythias order in splendid uniform
with II. i. G. Diver as Commander.
The procession was headed by a splendid
brass band, playing lively airs. Next
came the well drilled and brilliantly
equipped Knights of Pythias, marching
like veterans; then the nurses in car
riages, and members Of the press, the
Howard Association and other organiza.
tons, and the rear was brought up in
splendid style by the Odd Fellows.
Crowds Of people, such as we have not
seen for months, assembled on the
streets to witness the imposing process
sion, which cheered many heart and
reflected almost equal honor upon the
devoted, whole-souled nurses and the
people of Memphis
When near the Mississippi and Ten
nessee depot, the Knights halted, opened
order, presented arms, and the carriages
containing nurses and others mentioned
and the Odd Fellows passed through
in military style. At the depot
the nurses entered the ladies' par
lor, and time was spent in
shaking hands and bidding farewells.
Each nurse was decorated with an ele-
CANT gold badge in the shape of a shield,
with the following inscription:
REWARD OF MERIT,
By /. o. o. f. Relief Committee,
Epidemic, 1873, Memphis, Tenn.
Altogether, twenty of these badges
have been presented New Orleans nurses
by the Odd Fellows Relief Committee.
In the midst of the kind farewells, Just
as Colonel G. w. l.. Crook had finished
kissing a platoon of the lady nurses,
Colonel Butler P. Anderson, of the
Register, and an active member of the
Howard Association vas. formally intro
duced by Mr.. Newsom and expressed
himself, as nearly as our reporter can
recollect, in the following words:
LADIEs-It is hardly proper time or
place for a speech, especially from one
who never saw you before, and is just
now called on to talk to you. But | say
this to you, in the name of this whole
people: You came to US when there was
a loud call for help; when we were in
our sorest distress. You have worked
with us faithfully and earnestly in the
great battle Women as you are, you
have been high privates" in the fearful
struggle To say that we commend you
and thank you, is but poor tribute for
you services. You have done your duty
bravely, nobly, faithfully. You are
now starting to what we hope
will be your peaceful aud
comfortable homes. Your conduct
has shown us that you will always be
ready for another battle, though we pray
God that time may never come. That
the blessings of the great God who has
protected you in this struggle will go
with you and preside over you, is the
earnest and constant prayer of every
citizen of our troubled city. We will all
pray continually that prosperity and
happiness, and long life of usefulness,
will be granted to each and all of you;
and in the name of our whole people, l
bid you goodbye.
After this, one of the nurses, an old
white lady, sixty-two years old yester-
day, stepped forward and shook the
tremulous hand of Colonel Anderson,
expressing in few broken sentences her
sense of satisfaction at having done her
duty for the sufferers, and at receiving
such a recognition on the eve of depar-
ture. 1t was quite an affecting scene,
and many strong men came out of that
little room with handkerchiefs in their
hands and tears in their eyes.