The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-05-04
THE WICHITA ODD FELLOWS.
CELEBRATION OF TIE 57TH ANMvERsAR'
A Pleasant Dsy and Social Evening.

Last Wednesday, the 57th Anniversary OF
Odd Fellowship in America was observed
with appropriate rites by the members OF the
Order In Wichita, the celebration being par
ticipated in by quite a number OF brothers
from neighboriug towns. At 10 O'Clock the
hall over the National Bank was crowded
with brothers of the Encampment and subor-
dinate lodge, all in full regalia, who were duly
instructed by DIR. Z. c. Furley, the presiding
officer of both Orders. Under the direction
Of District Deputy NJ. W. Levy. who acted as
Marshal, assisted by brothers X. Cogdell and
CIV. Reeves. the procession, headed by the
Wichita band, marched through the principal
streets hating In front of Eagle Hall where
thro' open order the procession entered. Hon.
John M. Price, Past Grand Master Of kansas,
who had arrived in the city the evening be-
fore, delivered very fine and interesting adj
dress to the assembled brothers and friends OF
the order. The speaker alluded TO not only
the astonishing growth and progress OF the
Order, but its adaptation especially to the
American people. As a benevolent institu-
ton its influence was felt and acknowledged
throughout the land. To relieve the distressed,
to educate the orphan and care for the widow
as being the prime purposes OF the Order was
impressed upon his hearers in the finest Ian
guage and words of eloquence. The harmony
OF the brotherhood, the bonds of friendship
that in love and truth binds them together,
was most forcibly pictured. The amount OF
relief disbursed by the Order is done in quiz
ct and transformations way. 1t seeks TO be
known only by its works.
Grand Representative w. A. Shannon, of
Augusta, accompanied by his wife and several
brothers OF the Order, and Rev. Walker and
Bishop, of Wellington, accompanied by ether
brothers, were present.
The first lodge established in this country
was Washington Lodge Ne. l. at Baltimore,
on April 10Th, 1919. The last report of the
Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge OF the Unite
States includes a report OF the state of the
Order down to December 3lst 1874. 1t shows
that the whole number OF State and Terrific
rial Grand Lodges are AZ, with 81 State and
Territorial Grand Encampments. The num-
Der of subordinate lodges is 1855, with
membership of 4SS,331. During the year 1874
there were 54,575 members initiated into the
Order, 1892 brothers received relief, and
3,S1S were buried. Whole number Of wild
owed families relieved $50, and the amount
paid to them was Sl60,S95. The sum paid for
the relief OF brothers during the year amount
ed TO 1888 ,951. Amount paid for the educa-
ton OF orphans SIC, 1s6. For burying the
dead the sum OF S22S,545 WAS expended
Grand total of relief paid, 81 ,361 ,Sl4. Total
receipt. OF the Order for the year, 3,9SS, 4i2.
In the afternoon Chief Patriarch turley
called the Encanpment together which spent
sometime in receiving instructions from the
visiting officers.
The crownin. glory of the celebration oc-
Cured in the evening at the Occidental Hotel
where social reunion, ball and supper were
enjoyed by party of one hundred and twen-
ty-tiye. The building was lighted most bril-
liantly. The entire second floor, including
the regular dinins-room. be th parlors and sew
eral suits OF rooms were occupied with socIas
and dances. The supper which was served
Oh the ground floor eclipsed any thing of the
kind ever attempted in the city before. Upon
the announcement OF supper, the whole party
marched around the tables. There was not
only m1rmur of delight but audible exclam- |
ations o. establishment The decorations
which are not often surpassed in the oldest
cities, were enlivened and heightened by viii |
derness OF the choicest flowers whose aroma
filled the room. The flowers were from the |
green house Of j. II. Mead. The bill OF fare
which lies before us, is printed in colors and
gold. We have not space to enumerate the |
vast variety of dishes, but we note: roasts, |
five kinds; miscellaneous dishes, four kinds |
cold relieves, four kinds; cold ornaments, |
four kinds salads, three kinds reshes, ten |
kinds; cakes, eight kinds; ornamental work, |
ten varieties creams and jelies, eight kinds /; |
ices, four kinds; nuts and fruits, Ell ght kinds;
candies, six kinds; with French dripped cof-
fee and two kinds Of tea. Messrs. Rouse & |
Lamb arctic be congratu lated upon. the sup
per. As successful caterer Mr.. Rouse is
known from Chicago west, and on last
Wednesday he even exec He'd himself
The party broke up at late hour. Moth
ing occurred to mar its harmony a nd complete
success was the verdict of all. Much praise
is also due the committees and officers of the
lodge and Enca mpment for the thorough work
performed. All in all the Odd Fellows cele-
bration of last Wednesday was the most COM
Meta and pra nd affair ever enioy ed in our cifV |