Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-11-19
The Fourteenth Anniversary.

The Fourteenth Anniversary.
We publish with much pleasure the
following interesting and we'll written
sketch of WATERFOWL Good Templar's
Lodge, written by Miss Anna Shellcox,
and read by her at the Fourteenth Ami
versary Of the lodge, held last Friday
evening, at Good Templar's Hall:
Watertown lodge No. 314 1. OCT, was organ
lied by Miss NJ. Emery in the NJ E. church.
November 14th 1865,w charter membership
Of seyenty-eight among whom were Mr.. and
Mrs c. p Southwel, Mr. and Mrs .A. r, Moore, Mrs.
j. Sleeper, Mr. andMrs.J .Hamlin, Rev. Mr. Grum-
ley, Mrs E. S. Grumley, Mrs C. H. Pryor, Mil
ton Blanchard, Amelia Straw and Mr.. and Mrs.
w. L. MOak. They met again on the evening of
November 18th, and the following officers were
installed by Miss M. Emery
w. C. T.-R. w. Seaman
w. V. T.-Mrs c. II. Pryor.
w. R. ST. b, Fowler
VT S.-W. L. Moak
w. T.-Mrs w. r. Moak.
W. Grey. E. S. Grumley
W. M.-Frank Hall.
W. G.-Emma Ford.
w. S.-Milton Blanchard,
w. A. S.-Mary Dennison,
W. ID. M-Ida Cady.
w. R. H. Sc. L. Park
w. l.. H. S.-Amelia Straw.
p. w. C. rs w. Milan.
AT the next regular meeting held November
Oath, Otis Hall, w. Jones and j. Reed were elect
ed as trustees of the lodge, and the Worthy Chief
Templar appointed a finance committee, consist
ing of A. r. Moore, j. F, Fuller and j. Hamlin,
The meetings continued to be held weekly in
the M. E. Church until December 18th, 1865,
when they removed to Maldaner's hall; and in
August 1866 to J. w Coles hall. The rise of the
Lodge was gradual the books, at the end of the
first year, showing membership in good stand
ing of ninety-six, In the beginning of the year
1869 the lodge attained its highest membership
under Lodge Deputy, II. S. Orion, who labored
city for about three years, and until he removed
from among us. AT this time we numbered 1877
members, and paid a Grand Lodge tax of S25
per quarter. After few years of prosperity came
a reaction. The membership gradually dwn-
died lower and lower, and outsiders, as well as
many OF the members, predicted shipwreck so
to speak. Full one third of the few remaining,
tearing to be in the bark when it should sink,
sought refuge in unconditional Withdrawals.
leaving the faithful few to battle alone on
the tempestuous sea of adversely. During the
five. Scarcely enough attended the meetings to
fill offices, and for two quarters they were unable
to pay the Grand Lodge tax. But still those noble,
brave Go9d Tem6 MP heyer thought Of giving
they met, and devised all possible plans to keep
their campfire from being eXtinguished. Final
~ their efforts were crowned with success. The
lodge began to revive. New members came in
and many of the old ones came back, when they
saw it had braved the storm, and was no longer
Sinking craft. Among those who battled so
Mrs. C. w. Rundlett, Mr. and Mrs. w. H. Price,
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eaton, Mr.. and Mrs. n. A.
Carpenter Mr.. and Mrs James Forncrook Mrs.
Kendall, and Mrs, Robbins. When I say all
honor to these faithful members, l but echo the
sentiment of every Good Templar. On February
18th, 1876, about the time when the lodge began
to show unmistakable signs of return ing pros
perity, we took up quarters in the hall we now
From that time has hann on,
era of steady growth in our lodge. We now num-
Der 150 members and our surroundings bespeak
of prosperity to all.
The records of this lodge show an aggregate
membership of $50, on which we have paid
Grand Lodge tax of upward of $3.50. The total
loss has been 7S0.-446 of whom were suspended
from the order, 81 withdrew by card, 3 have died
and % been expelled for violating their obliga-
ton.
From among these hundreds of persons who
have taken our solemn pledge and obligation,
very many have left our city and made for them
selves new homes in the further west and else
where, many of whom are known to have been
the means lnstituting lodges in their new homes
and who are still doing their utmost to swell the
great wave of sentiment which is now so percep-
hoty and universally felt; in favor of our reform.
VI the large number who have been suspended
for non payment of dues many are yet in our
midst, keeping their pledge in so far as personal
abstinence is concerned, but q would like to sug-
gest to them) violating daily that portion of our
obligation wherein we promised lifelong fidelity
to the order of Good Templars. If ony of these
hear me tonight my eXhortation to them is
Wanderers! return. We will gladly tcelcome you
home!
OF the number who have been expelled for
violation of pledge some have passed to a drunk
ards grave, and others still are following on.
Oh! Would some power might be given to us
whereby we could reclaim all such and restore
them to our circle of unity" never to go from it
again "untu death do as sever"
OF the money we have paid into the Grand
La these n8V he
safely said, that it has helped the mission many
waste places, and to make many sad hearts, hap
py and many dark homes bright with the Sun
light of total abstinence
OF those remaining with us-their smiling faces
and Joyous hearts tonight on our Anniversary
day, speak louder than words, of their thankful
we who comprise the membership in good stand
ing of Wetertown Lodge No. 314 at this time are
a jolly set, we will try to convince you, before
the evenings festivities shall close.