Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-06-07

THIRTY YEARs--TnE DEDICATION OF AN ODD
FErtows Hat, AND GRAND PARADE AT GRAFT,
DAuPHIN COUNTY. "
visit to the home, of ones childhood is al
ways more thin ordinary pleasure, particular
ly If long time has separated us from the place
OF our earliest impressions. Though many stray
far away and select spots which they may be-
lieve more agreeable, after struggling with the
affairs of life, aud tasting of its bitter experience,
the heart turns fondly TO tho home of their early
youth, rendering visit to the beloved spot,
where they ''played their gambols when chlld,'
a most agreeable task. "Home Is home though
ever so homely." With such Inspirations we
veutured, during the past week, to visit the spot
upon which we passed from infancy to boyhood-
that halcyon period oflife. Leaving our matters
in charge of the "Devll," we started in the cars
for Georgetown, and from thence we proceeded
by private CONVEYANCE to the beautiful IL, borough
years ago. Our trip was made more pleasant
over the hills and through the beautiful wales in
tervening, from the conviction that we had
safe animal, and o good driver, and most
agreeable companions. Passing along Limestone
Valley, in Lower Mabanoy township, we noticed
the hundreds of limekilns erected for miles along
the road, which looked to us like huge breast
works, deserted, on some old battlefield. This
valley abounds in riches, and as one looks upon
the comfortable dwellings, large barns, and the
broad acres of beautiful waving grain surround
ing them, he will naturally exclaim-these people
have reason to be happier than kings. The grain
is well advanced. As we proceeded on, we cross
ed the line of Northumberland and Dauphn
counties, and entered the borough of UniontowD,
located upon rise alongside OF mountain, and
Is building up with buildings Of q modern style.
The streets are kept clean, and the sidewalks laid
in the best manner. Stopping at the Union Ho
tel of Mr.. J. Hoffman, we were Hospitality enter
taned. After passing through the gap OF the
mountain, we soon came In sight ofthe old home
stead, known to us In our early days. Proceed
ing along the road, and viewing the beautiful
valley of Lykeus, with her majestic mountains
on both sides, we passed many memorable spots
which we once held most dear. Presently we
passed the Hartman school house, remembered
by us as the place where we were first taught to
say our A. B. Cs. where Se received our first
lessons under the tuition of Jonas Dietrich, some
thirty-six years ago Moving on, we at last ar
rived in the borough of Gratz, laid out by Theo-
dore Gratz. ESD, more than half II century ago.
Stopping at the Gratz Hotel, kept by Messrs. IL.
F. Ilepper AZ Bro, and after shaking tho dust
from our garments, we took a stroll through the
town in search of old acquaintances. The majo-
ry of the faces were strange to us the build
4, ings all looked different, and much improved,an
, we were forciby reminded that the hand of pro-
gress Is marching onward. But few of the old
: buildings remain standing but among them is
the old Union Church whose pulpit was ably filed
forty years ago, by the late Rev. j. T. Shindel, OF
Suubury, and the late Rev. Isaac Gerhard, OF Ly-
kcns Valley, the formcra Lutheran, and the lat
: te- a German Reformed minister. TEis Church
is still occupied every Sabbath. In the Cemetery
-, adjoining this Gods temple, there is found rest
ing in peace the remains of many whose faces
> we're once familiar III our walk we met but few
0 of the old residents of the place, viz: Geo. Hol.
man, Esq. Henry Hoffman and William Welker,
whose heads have turned white, while their faces
i are but little chaugcd. Gratz contains three
large stores, two good hotels, and number of
| excellent mechanics. two physicians, who have a
= wide reputation for their professional skill, one
o of whom is Dr. Smnkcy, who ably represented
, Dauphin county during the last two sessions OF
the Legislature The town is beautifully located,
= and is surrounded by rich agricultural district
4 About II mile south of the town Is the Short
Mountain, which appears to be almest solid
bed Of sem-btnminous coal Several rich veins
n have been opened, but unfortunately for the
owners of the mines, there 10 us yet no outlet by
rail to market to fully develop the resources ol
that valley. This much needed branch road, tc
iutersect with the road from Lykens to Millers
burg, an outlet, is prevented from the fact
that two parties owners of the lands, and one
e Is waiting apon the other to build the road
= Should this branch road be built, GratZ is destn
" ed to become lourshing town in n short time
&c Remaining over sunday to witness the proceed
y ings of u grand parade, and dedication of M
- Odd-Feliow's Hall, on Monday, We were rejoicet
. that the day WAS pleasant one. AS early a;
" half past six O'Clock the people from the countr!
lc began to assemble, and continued to do SO unit
k midday. The Gratz CornUt Band appeared early
me- and as the different Lodges of the Independent
- Order of Odd Fellows from the neighborin!
II towns arrived, they were escorted to the Odd
t. Fellows Hall building 10y Gratz Lodge, No. 563
After dinner, the members and many of the citi
/ Zeus repaired to the Hall where the solemn cere
monies of dedication were performed by ID. ID.
D M.,W. Thomas, of that District, acting as Gran
10 Master, assisted by the necessary number O
d Past Officers of the Order. The ceremonies wer
an conducted with open doors, were very satisacto
~ ry, and went far to remove the prejudice agains
&c secret societies that exists in the public mind
At After the dedication of the Hall, the Lodge
l. formed in order, and were marched, under th
hi. j, 1,i,,l ~ .,,i= audi Ilr
Zuendcr,to grove about mile from town. III
ID following Lodges were represented
ST Gratz Lodge and EncaDpment, aceompanie
-, | by Gratz Cornet Band.
Lykens Lodge OF BerrySburg and Band Mar
; shal b. II. Wambaugh. .
cr Halifax Lodge and Eureka Encampmcnt; Maj
ID shal, Christian Lyter.
n Tower Lodge of Tower City, Schuylkil county
80 Marshal, Henry Hover.
" Stone Valley Lodge, Georgetown, Northum
I'd berland county; 4; Marshal, |. W. Drcibclbcis.
ry Upper Mahantonge Lodge, Sehuylkii. county
= Marshal, Captain l. Shade.
hs Ellsworth Lodge of Sacramento, Germanvfil
It, Cornet Band dressed in Zouave uniform.
er Kingerstown Lodge, Schuylkill county; Mar
l.; sha, Tobias Weist.
~ wiconsco Lodge and Encampmcnt MAJ
10 shal, j. z. jenkins.
in Washington Square Lodge, Cross Roads MAJ
M shal, e. B. Miller.
~ Unimtown Lodge; Marshal DR.. Raker.
"e D0naldson Lodge and Concord Eucampmen
W, from donaldson, SchuyIkll county.
ny After arriving the ground on which seat
~ had been provided f0r several thousand persons
they were soon occupied, and the proceeding
opened with prayer
The assemblage was then addressed by EX
" ID. q. NJ. John II. Sell, of Womelsdorf, Berb
a county, who gave fine discourse upon the prii
d. ciplss of the Order, it's many yirtues-the good
= = has accomplished and the progress 1t has mad
on during period of hfv years giving staiistlci
nc exhibit of its aggregate number OF members, an
ms its financial condition. He WAS then f0llowe
Nh by Prof u. S. Boyer, of Freeburg, Snyder coui
ty veteran speaker, on the subject of Odd-fe
o. lowship. Both the speakers were atIcntiye
'e listened TO during their able discourse upon tt
,r principles of Friendship, Love and Truth. La
h in the day we bid adieu to our old friends, al
=" 60 the scenes associated with our early youtl
hd and pursued our course towards the beautif
at susquehappR, much pleased with our visit.
AccIDEST-A VALUABLE Horse KnLED.-o
Sunday last, VIM. Berry of Shamokin, and Jol
e, Berry of Mt. Pleasant, Schuylkill county, dro