The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-07-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

vet few persons are aware that the
society known as the order of the
Patrons of HnsbandryD had its origin
in Washington. The time of it's being
founded, the place where it was
founded and the persons by whom il
was founded have heretofore been
secrets Of which nine-tenths, perhaps
ninety nine hundredths, of the mem
bers of the order themselves knew
nothing. But tho founders thereof
have at last Concluded that there is no
longer any necessity for keeping the
facts ~ TO its origin secret, and have
published to the world q sort Of his
tory of the rise and growth Of this
powerful organization. This giant
society whose influence IL felt in every
part of the country, whose power
causes the great monopolies of the
land to feel greater alarm than any
opposition they have ever had to en-
counter, and whose fame has spread
throughout the entire civilized world,
was founded in this city only six years
ago by a party of government clerks.
The credit for originating the idea of
forming such a society is due to
Mr.. 0. H. Kelly, now q resident of
the District of Columbia. In 1866 lie
was connected with the Department
of Agriculture, and was sent on q tour
Of observation through the Southern
States. While on this trip Re con-
ceived the idea upon which has since
been founded the Patrons of Hus-
bandry. He owned q farm in Mime
sets and upon his return from the
South retired to his home to deliberate
upon his scheme and mature his plans.
In November, 1866, he again came to
Washington and obtained clerkship
in the Post-ofice Department. He
set about finding some one to take an
interest in his project, but most of the
persons to whom he communicated
his plans were Indifferent to the mat
ter. However, he succeeded in find
ing q few who readily entered into
the spirit Of the movement. Among
these were Mr.. William Saunders,
then aud now superintendent of the
experimental farm belonging to
the Agricultural Department, (every
farmer who has copy Of an Agricul-
tural Report viii remember his name
and his contributions to those reports
for many years); Mr.. William NJ. Ire
land, then and now chief clerk Of one
Of the divisions of the Post-office De-
partment; Captain John r. Thomp-
son, then and now a clerk inthe office
Of the Third Auditor of che Treasury /;
DR.. Trimble Of the Treasury Depart
ment, and Rev. A. B. Gfosh Of the
Agricultural Department. The first
was held in room As of the
United States Hotel, then occupied
by Mr.. Ireland, on the night of August
5, 1867. The National Grange was
organized on the night of December
4, 1867, at the Office of Mr.. Saunders.
In April, 1868, Mr.. Kelly resigned his
and started on a tour through
The country for the purpose of organ
lzing oranges. He met with Indifferent
success, founding but four subordinate
oranges on the entire route from
Washington to his home in Mime
sofa. He remained on his farm for
some time but never lost sight of his
pet project. He kept at work in his
own State and succeeded in organiz-
ing ten oranges, among the rest
The 9sNorth Star Grange at St. Paul.
which has never failed to hold it's
meetings regularly from the day it
vas organized until now. In January.
1871, Mr.. Kelly, finding that the order
vas growing rapidly, again came to
his city. He now resides at. No. 48
Third Street, Georgetown, u. c., and, |
BEING the secretary of the National
Grange, his house is used as head |
quarters and business Office for the
same. -#
l must not neglect to mention Miss !
carrie A. Hall, a young lady employed |
n the Treasury Department, who has |
rom the very first taken very active |
interest in the order. She is now the I
lady Assistant Steward of the National |
1raunn aud r., har vo,oh orol:& =: b.