Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-10-07
Imp..O. II. M.
. the Editors Of Independent :

TO the Editors Of Independent:
The Grand Council of the United
States Improved Order of Red
Men resolved at its last session in
Richmond, Va, to meet on this,
the Centennial year of American
Freedom, in Philadelphia,th city
Of Brotherly Love, the Mecca of
American Nationality, and the an
cestral Home of Independence. 1t
seemed but proper and fitting for
the Great Council to meet this
year at the place where century
ago, our fathers met in council land
signed the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence, which led to the estab-
lishment of government that
commands the admiration and re-
spect of the world.
The Great Council met in the
Wigwam of Chattahoochie Tribe,
Grand Avenue, below Sth street.
Thirty-slx States and Territories
were represented, and the Council
was composed of about 20 men,
bers. The reports of the Great
Incohonee and G.. G. of Records
shows that there has boen a steady
increase in spite of the general
financial pressure. The Order
Numbers about 700 Tribes, and
membership of not less than 49,
900. The amount paid out for re-
lief is very nearly one hundred
thousand dollars. The session con-
tinued from the 18th to the 10th,
during which time much business
was transacted, and the unual en-
tertainments enjoyed. The Great
Council of Pennsylvania and the
Tribes in the city deserve much
credit for the handsome manner
in which they administered to our
enjoyment, especially the excur-
sion on the Delaware river, and
the drive through Fairmont Park,
followed by sumptous banquet at
the Belmont Mansion.
The excursion on the Delaware
river up to Fort Mifflin was very
pleasant. The steamer Edwin
Forest" was engaged for the occa-
sion. A number of ladies graced
the company, and an excellent
band discoursed sweet music Ar
rived at the Fort, all marched
around on the ramparts to the
tune, "Hold the Fort" 1t must
not be forgotten that during the
war of 1912, while a garrison was
Statiopad hpra thu Oro,,p II ,pori1
OF Redmanship was laid by that
garrison in this very Fort.
The present officers of the G..
Council are. Adam Smith, Cali
fornia. Great Incohonee VIM. G..
David, Indiana, G. S. Sycamore !;
Chas. II. Litchman, Mass. G.. J
Sycamore {; Andrew j. Baker,
Penn, Great Prophet; Joshua
Maris, Delaware, G. G. of Records;
Joseph Byle, Delaware, G. X.
Wampum James A. Moss, Penn,
G. Tocakon Chas. s. Belts Ohio,
G. Minnewa. The next G. Council
will convene at Columbus, Ohio.
The Centennial is too vast an
institution for description here,
and shall not undertake it. 1t
must be seen to be appreciated.
There are countless objects of in
terest there, and a visit of a few
days affords simply general idea
of it. In regard to arts, manufac-
lures, and products of the soil and
mine, as we'll at distinctive Ma
tiOnal PhyiSOgnOmy and charac-
ter you have the world in a nut
shell.
The daily tidal flow and ebb of
people 10 and from this grand In
ternational Exhibition amounts at
present to about 100000 per day,
and it is difficult to obtain accom-
modations. But let every one that
possibly can go to the Centennial,
as it is scarcely possible for any
one now living to witness another
one. W..