The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-10-06
Odd Fellows in Council.
CINCINNATI, OHIO,
September "a. 1881.

OINCINNAII, OHIO.
September "a, 1881. (
Editor Statesman
On the 18th inst. the sovereign
grand lodge of the world, /. o. O. f.
met in their fifty-seventh annual
council in this city, at Gas hall
which was handsomely fitted up
The stage was adorned with grow
ing plants, and the walls and ceiling
were festooned with evergreens and
flowers, and bedecked with flags
representing all the states and ma
tions within the jurisdiction of the
grand lodge. Welcoming addresses
were delivered by Gov
ernor Hickenlooper, Il. Eggleston,
and Mr.. Hazelett, grand master of
the state of OHIO. The response was
by Grand Sire Glenn.
On Tuesday business in the CITY
was generally suspended on account
of the death of President Garfield.
On the night of the sad event the
bells were tOlled all night and far
into the next day. The city is now
shrouded in black, and flags are at
half-mast. The odd fellows parade,
reunion and concert at the Highland
House. banquet at the Burnet
House, and other ceremonies, have
been abandoned ON account of the
sad news. The procession would
have been the grandest OH record in
the history of odd fellowship.
On Tuesday the sovereign grand
lodge, in carriages and without
music, having the appearance of a
funeral cortege, all wearing
mourning badge, proceeded 10
Spring Grove, where the beautiful
monument to odd fellowship was
unveiled. The sovereign grand lodge
met in special session and passed ap-
propriate resolutions on the death of
the nations chief.
James l.. Ridgely, of MARYLAND.
the venerable secretary of the SOW
ereign grand lodge, has held that
position for over a quarter of a CEN
tury. He is unable to attend this
session on account of old age and
paralysis. He is 75years of age, and
may probably not live to read of
another session of the grand lodge.
Grand officers are not elected at
this session. They were elected a
year ago for two years, and all hold
over.
Odd-Fellowship had its birth in
Baltimore Sc years ago, and that CITY
is still regarded as the home of the
sovereign grand lodge. Thomas
Wildey, its founder, has beautiful |
monument erected to his memory
at point which Overlooks the city. |
The jurisdiction of the sovereign
grand lodge extends over all the
lodges of the order in the world.
The grand sire's report gives the |
following interesting statistics:
On the thirty-first of December,
1880, there were so grand lodges, |
7172 subordinate lodges, an increase |
of 1O5; 40 grand encampments, an
increase of l 1857 subordinate en-
an increase of Is; ini-
tiations 1857, an increase of 77O3: |
lodge members 456, 1897, an increase |
of 1914; encampment members |
79,429, decrease 80; total relief
81 ,687, $500 decrease $27,149.13:
total revenue $4,594 ,O22. 90, an in
crease of S2O2, S07.61.
The grand treasurer, Hon. Joshua
Vansant, reports a cash balance to
August 81, 1881, of $21, 664.61. The
revenue for the year was S85,591.58,
and the expenses $51, 502.78, an ex-
cess of revenue over expenses of
$34, OS8.SO.
In 1850 the order had 200 lodges
and 10000 members. To-day it
boasts of 700 lodges and 45O,O8O men,
bers. There are 899 lodges of Re-
becca in the jurisdiction, with 45, 488
members.
September %, 1SS1.-The sover-
eign grand lodge l. O. O. f., in ses-
sion at Gas Hall this morning, acted
upon reports from number of COM
nittees, and then took up the propo-
'ition to work in the third degree
instead of the first. Some very earn
EST speeches were made on the SUBJ
ect. AS the work of the subordi-
late lodges is now done in the first
legree, many members are content
% remain in that degree and are
low in taking the higher ones. The
business of the sovereign lodge is
finely. Tanbark has
been placed in the streets around the
building to deaden the sound of
wagon and carriage wheels. This is
highly appreciated by the members.
September Oath, 1881.-The SOW
reign grand lodge, 1. o. o. F., was
this morning in exemplify- ,
ng the secret work of the order.
After the transaction of some unim-
'ortant business, resolutions of ,
hanks to the lodges of the city, and !
he citizens generally, for courtesies
nd kind entertainment, were
'assed, the grand lodge adjourned,
O meet in Baltimore in September, ,
1872. Most of the representatives ,
cave for their homes tonight. !
The custom house in this city has
cen in process of erection for 5
even years, and no telling when it (
7ill be completed. The walls are =
IL up, and are made of granite r
from Maine. The cost of I
his grand structure will be about .
100000. This building is Cincin- +
ats pride and is located on Foun- v
ain Square.
The drought still continues, and q
here is less than two feet of h
yater in the Ohio channel. No q
oats arriving or departing. d
Yours, C.H.D. a
m