Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-06-26
The Belmont County Children's
Home.
A Good WorkWen Begun.
Imposing Masonic Ceremonies al
tie Laying of the Corner
EQllEEsi Stone. - 90

In the latter part OF the year 1876, and
in the early part of II, a number
of the philanthropie and humane cit
izens of this county-prominently among
whom were David Conrow, Isaac Hol-
loway and other citizens of Flushing
township-recognizing the growing need
of a public institution designed to care
for the helpless and neglected waits of
society, and to rescue them from lives
of sin and misery, and to help them in
securing comfortable homes, and to be-
come useful members of society, began
to agitate the question of establishing
"Children's Home" in Belmont county.
As result of this agitation, at the
March session of the County Commits
sioners 1877, a petition, containing 1S4
names, was presented to the Commits
sioners, asking them to erect such a
Home, under the powers granted them
in the statute. In August of the same
year the Commissioners decided to sub
NIT the question TO vote of the people,
and accordingly the Auditor was author
lied to give public notice that the ques-
tion would be submitted at the October
election. The proposition in favor of
such Home, was carried by majority
of 1919. Sustained by popular major
ity Of the people, the necessary steps
were taken as quickly as possible for
carrying out their expressed desires.
An eligible site was purchased about
two miles east of Barnesville, and con-
tracts were at once entered into for the
erection of necessary buildings, at cost
of about $4,000. ..,..
The foundation walls of the edifice
are about completed, and on Tuesday
the Corner Stone was laid with imposing
Masonic ceremonies. Friendship Lodge,
of Barnesyille, under whose auspices
the occasion was developed, had made
the necessary preparations for grand
gala day. The "sun-kissed city" had on
her holiday attire, and her people We'd
with each other in the attentions paid to
the large number of strangers present.
From the surrounding country there was
general outpouring of the people, and
the Baltimore & Ohio regular trains
from both the east and west, besides a
special train of ten cars, from Wheeling.
were laden with people for the scene of
festivities.
The Masonic bodies, in regalia, rem
dezvoused at the Masonic Hall, in
Barnesville, and at 1O1S o'clock formed
into column 300 strong, in charge of the
following officers: Department Grand
Master, James F. Charlesworth; S. G.
Warden, Joel Strahl; j. G. Warden, W.
C. Bergundthal; Grand Treasurer, C. W.
Carroll; Grand Architect, J. w. Yost;
Grand Chaplain. Rev. Ezra Hingeley;
Grand Orator, A. G. Byers; Grand Mar
shal, Samuel Hilles; Grand Tyler, l. E.
Hunt t-and took up the line of march
through the principal streets of Barnes
vile, in the following order: ia..
Grand Marshal Hilles and staff; Ha-
ley's Cornet Band of Benwood; Bellaire
Lodge No. 267; Somerton Lodge No. 354
Quaker City Lodge; Hazen Lodge, Bel
mont; st. Clairsville Lodge, one of the
the Oldest Masonic orders in this section;
Quaker City Band; Barnesyille Lodge
and Chapter; State Grand Lodge; st.
Clairsville Band, IA pieces; Hope Com
mandery, and Cambridge Grand Lodge
knights of Perfection" This last Or
ganization is the oldest one of the kind
in the State, and there are but four
Lodges of the order in Ohio. 1t is the
first time any Lodge of the kind ever pa
raded. Their dress is unique, being, it
is claimed, that of the 14th degree of |
Scottish Rite Masonry. 1t consists of a
black gown, belted in at waist-black
Scotch cap and triangular black apron,
with yellow. This party were
nearly all officers. etBt llYtf e sa
The marching over, everybody took
the special train which was plying con-
'tantly between GAINESVILLE and the