The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-05
ATURDAY MORNING. JANUARY s. 1873.

OlA4S - ~ >s
/ pressiyely rendered, and the installation
ceremonies equalled any in the history oi
the Lodge.
TIE BANoUET--sENTIMESTS AND SPEECHES.
The installation ceremonies over, tile
members of the Lodge, with visiting breth-
rem and few. invited guests, repaired to
Cersley's Hall, where an excellent supper
had been provided under the supervision
OF the following committee of arrangements
William T.Lithgow, William B. McCrary,
John j. Boyle. Thomas w. Gentry, Frede-
rick c.. Weisiger, John G.. Lipscomb, and
Robert Boyle.
The 1aenu embraced the best the market
affords, and was served in the best manner.
Places were arranged for one hundred
guests. and they were nearly all occupied.
After considerable time spent in enjoy.
ing the good things provided for the inner
man attention was called. Sentiments to
"The Grand Lodge Of Virginia. ssThe
OfYicers-eIect," o 1.-The Past Officers" !"
" Friendship, Charity, and Beneyolence."
and "The Press" were appropriately re-
sponded to by Grand Chancellor Att
kisson, and Messrs. Vanderslice. Gary, Car
dozo, Weisiger, and others.
A unanimous vote Of thanks was rendered
Mr.. T. 3. Cersley for the gratuitous use Of
bis hall.
There was an abundance of good cheer
and lDtter feeling. The committee were
unremitting in their attention to nil. and the
night was one the recolections OF which
will be bright in the minds Of all who at
tended.
A SKETCH OF THE LoDGE-PAsT OFFICERS.
Friendship Lodge was organized January
1S, 1871. It's projectors were the following
residents OF this city, but at that time men,
bers Of Old Dominion Lodge, No. 4, OF
Richmond:
Rev. j. E. Hammond, Edward S. Car
dozo, Wyndham E. Gary, Frederick G..
Weisiger, and the late lamented Alexander
q. Lithgow.
The first meeting was held in the Office Of
the factory of Gary Brothers, on Sixth and
Bainbridge streets. The above mentioned
initiated five others. and elected the follow
ing officers (who, with Mr.. a. Is. Lithgow,
constituted the charter members OF the
LODGE: : Rev. j. z. Hammond, V. P; E. S.
Cardozo, w. c.; F.. G. Weisiger, V. c.:
W. E. Gary, r. S.; w. X. Weisiger, F.
S.; Ajax Gary, Banker: a. a. Waugh,
Guide; A. G. Harding, ]. S.; and George
NJ. Rogers, 0. S.
The first meetings OF the Lodge were
held at the old Odd-Fellows' Hall, over the
City Hall. After it's membership and use
fulness increased the Lodge, in conjunction
with Stuart Lodge, I. o. o. F., leased what
was afterwards known as Weisiger Hall
(now Fisherman's Hall. and occupied by the
Gallileean Fisherman (colored).
In September, 1876, the Lodge moved to
its new and beautiful castle ball in the
Nunnally building, on the corner OF Hull
and Eighth streets. Its meetings are now
held in this room, which is also occupied
bv Henderson and Jackson Lodges, [. D. o..
F., and Dale Lodge, Knights Of Honor.
No lodge-room in the State is probably
more handsomely fitted up or better adapted
for the purposes for which it was built than
Covenant Hall. Its name implies cove
nant and agreement OF mutual goodwill
and friendship among all our benevolent Or
ders-Odd-FelloWs, Pythians, and knights
OF Honor. The trustees OF Friendship
Lodge, who look after the ball and other
property and superintend its financial ar
rangements. are Ajax Gary, Frederick G.
Weisiger, and E. W. Baugh.
The representative to the Grand Lodge,
which meets in Portsmouth next month, is
Past Chancellor William T. LithgoW. The
following are those who have been grand
representatives since the institution Of the
Lodge: Past Chancellors q. S. Cardozo, w.
e. Gary, F. c. Weisiger, 0. B. Sims, A. c.
Attkisson, and Henry G. Ferguson.
e. S. CardoZo was the first worthy chan
cellor; since that time the following have
been presiding officers (but are not pub
lished according to seniority, but at ran
dom): 5. Carter Weisiger, F. &. Weisiger,
w. Il. Gary, 0. B. Sims, George NJ. Rogers,
Fl. G. Ferguson, A. &. Attkisson, Socrates
Brooks, William Archer A. A. Waugh, r..
J. B. Fisher, William T. Lithgow, and Will
liam j. PARRISH
Messrs. Ajax Gary and W. K. Weisiger
are e1 otfcio past chancellors.
OF the five projectors of the Lodge Messrs.
E. s. Cardozo, T. C.. Weisiger, and w. E.
Gary were present Thursday night. Rev.
J. E. Hammond is an Episcopal clergyman
in Rockland, California, and A. B. LithgoW
departed this life, generally lamented, in Au-
gust, 1873. Messrs. Ajax Gary and W. K.
Weisiger, the first banker and financial
scribe. were also present. Mr.. Gary still
holds the fort; but his Office has, since his
first election, been dignitied with the i'm
posing title Of "The Master OF the Exche-
quer.' He is the ncstor of the Lodge; long
may continue the honest watchdog OF the
its treasury. Mr.. George NJ. Rogers, the
first outside sentinel, is now resident OF
Danyille.
Friendship Lodge is in healthy condition
financially and otherwise. From nine it has
grown to nearly ninety and nine, and Its
increase in usefulness has kept pace with IFS
increase in membership. 1t has accom-
plished much good in short time.