The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1875-05-01

!. O. O. +.
Celebration of the Fifty-SiXth
Anniversary in Dallas.
A Grand PrOCeSSiOn--E Eloquent
and Impressive Ceremonies.

Yesterday filty.siX years ago the BAN
ner of odd Fellowship was flung TO the
breeze in America by John Wildey
and his few associates, and yesterday
hundreds and thousands of its follow
ers met to celebrate and honor the an
niversary. Then, Il feeble, sparsely-
numbered organization; to-day, num-
bering its membership by the thou
sands. The seed planted in Baltimore
fifty-siX years ago has, under the benign
benelcent and benevolent culture of
its glorious mission, multiplied and
increased until its qualifications extend
wherever christianity and humanity
hold sway. Its simple motto of
'Friendship, Love and TRUTH" has
won the noblcst and best in the land
to its standard, and to-day, suffering
humanity the world over, recognizes
its beneiicent and glorious work.
"Friendship, Loye and TRUTH" The
three cardinal virtues that bind men
together, and reminds them that life
has higher ambitions, higher aspira-
tions, higher motives, than mere self,
and that it sis not an empty dream"
With its grand and heaven.born
motto-a motto as proud as any ever
blazoned upon warriors shield or shone
upon Il nations arms-may its course
ever be upward and onward, and may
its high and holy teachings ever re-
mind its members CT their duty and
elevate them to that higher eminence
and responsiblity.imposed upon them.
The Odd Fellows of Dallas, with Il
love for the memory of their order,
celebrated the day with procession
and appropriate ceremonies, and Il
grand ball in the evening. The heavy
rain of Sunday, it was feared, would
render the streets impossible, and thus
make a procession imprncticablei but
yesterday the fears vanished rs the day
opened clear and cool, and the sun
flashed out as bright and genial as that
which shone upon the great Napoleon
at Austerlitz. At 10 O'Clock the va
rious lodges met, and formed in the
following order:
Colonel J. c. Mccoy, grand marshal,
and General J. J. Good, of Dallas lodge,
and Mr.. b. p. Jett, of the Encamp-
ment, acting as assistants. First the
Dallas City Cornet Band; initiatory
members, scarlet and intermediate de-
gree members; Corsicana lodge, Nc
Kinney lodge, and other visiting broth
ers; Trinity lodge, No.l9S, Dallas lodge,
No. A, Ridgely Eucampment, No. %,
District Deputy Grand Patriarch Bal
lard, Past Grand Master Mellersh,
Daughters of Rebekah, in carriages.
The procession formed on Austin, be-
tween Elm and Commerce, and march
ed down Commerce to Houston, from
Houston to Main, up Main to Syca-
more, from Sycamore to Elm, down
Elm to Austin. At the corner of Aus
tin and Elm, the procession formed in
open order, and the carriages contain
ing the Daughters of Rehekah, pro-
ceeded through the ranks, followed 10y
the lodges in the order in which they
were formed, aud marched to the hall.
After entering the hall, and some
appropriate music 10y tile band, the
body was called TO order by DIR. q. a.
Cutler, noble grand of Dallas lodge,
when the customary interesting ser
vices were read. The anniversary hymn
was then sung, at the conclusion OF
which Mr.. Beal, of Corsicana. was in
troduced, and addressed the assembly
( i'm an impressive and eloquent man
ner. Mr.. Beal was followed by Past
Master George Mellersh, who, in his
usual felicitous and eloquent manner,
maid handsome compliment to the
( Daughters of Rebekah and to Odd Fel-
lowship. Oolonel Mellersh was fol-
lowed 10y Mr.. Wheeler, of Corsicana,
representing the Odd Fellow, maga-
zine published in that town in the in
terests ofthe order. At the conclusion
of Mr.. wheeler's remarks the benedic-
tion was pronounced and the body dis
banded.
Thus ended the days proceedings in
Dallas of the celebration Of the fifty
sixth anniversary Of Odd Fellowship
in America. The HERALD extends its
congratulations to the members Of the
order in this city for the success with
which the matter was arranged anc
carried out, and wishes one and all, res
jdent and visiting members, a life o
unalloyed honor, pleasure and happt