The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-11

IT, Treas, Portland; Geo. W. Goss, Grand
Marshal. Lewiston, aud P. G.. M. BENZ. Kings
bury, the orator of the occasion.
Arriving at their destination the visitors
We're received by members of Saccarappa
Lodge, ITO men; Saco Valley Lodge, IS; Am
moncongin Lodge, so, and the Westbrook
Cornet Band. 1t was not until about $3.50 that
the line of march was taken up and ye gods,
ye patriarchs and ye brethren, what a march
IL seems that it was originally planned to have
ashort march and the address and speeches ina
neighboring grove. But the programme was
changed at the eleventh honr. The iron still
ranking in their souls over the memory of a
long march in hot day that they suffered
upon q festive occasion, they laid out new
route of some half dozen miles, and having
the right of the line they took up stride that
was like racing regiment on the hight of
division in column. The procession which
numbered between five and six hundred soon
struggled out so that its appearance was not al
together lovely. What the Portlanders did
not know about the famous mud OF that
region they had abundance of opportunity to
estimate In that peculiar soil in pulyerized
condition. 1t brought back to them memories
OF the touching sailor lyric of the eVentful life
and melancholy fate of the 'eld hoss" who
From Saccarap. to Portland Pier,
Carted stone for many year,
Till killed by blows and sore abuse
he was salted down for sailors use."
Something less that two hours ended that
memorable tramp and the exercises of laying
the corner stone commenced. The building is
located on the southwesterly side of Main
street near the center of the village. 1t will
be handsome edifice, two lofty stories high
surmounted with Mansard roof, proportions
49xs7. 1t will be of brick with iron columns,
granite lintels and red free stone trimmings
The Odd Fellows hall will be in the second
story and the banquet room in the third The
structure will not be fully completed
until April next and the estimated
cost is $4,000. The architects are
Messrs. Fassett and Stevens of Portland. The
carpenter work is contracted for by Geo, S.
Sylvester of Deering and the masonry by Ira
F. Tibbetts & Co., of the same town. The
building committee are Messrs. John Knight,
w. v. Harmon and Hiram Sproul. The
heating, plumbing, lighting, etc., are also in
charge of Mr.. Geo. s. Sylvester.
Before depositing the stone a brief history of
Saccarappa lodge was read by which it appear
ed that the body was instituted in 1S43 by
Noble Grand VIM. M. Cutter, and with varied
fortunes is now in prosperous condition with
membership of 212.
Beneath the corner stone vera plac I'd
copy of the constitution and bylaws of Sacea-
rappa Lodge, copies of the Portland Daily
PRESS and Daily Eastern Argus, a three cent
postal currency relic of the war and other
articles. Grand Master Cook lowered tho
stone in place with the usual impressive cere-
mony and solemn blessing was invoked by
the Grand Chaplain.
P. G. M. Benz. Kingsbury then delivered
an address, occupying about thres-quarters of
an hour. He told the story Of the organiza-
tion of Odd Fellowship in this country in Bal
timore in 1919 with the single Washington
lodge and traced its history down to the pre-
sent time, with its membership of half mil
lion in this country, annually disbursing over
two millions Of dollars for the relief of afflicted
brethren and their widows and orphans. The
wonderful growth OF the Order in other
countries was noted and it was earnestly and
eloquently defended against aspsrsion that had
been sought to cast upon it as "a secret
society"
Upon the conclusion of Judge Kingsbury's
address the visiting Odd Fellows were escorted
II MasEsn o Hal Ehsrs 9 b9HpsiHl sslati9n
~ welcome being excellent hot coffee, the in
evitable and ever relishable New England
baked beans and savory brown bread, with
pies and pastry in every variety contributed
with boundless hospitality by the ladies of the
village and vicinity. A similar rspast was en-
joyed by the local lodges in the present Odd
Fellows Hall near by. The department of
the interior" duly attended to, Chandler's
Band gave number of choice selections in
their best style in Warren Hall. which was
greatly enjoyed and heartily applauded not
only by the brethren but by the citizens
generally who had crowded the hall.
board a special train in charge of Conductor
Berry, and twenty minutes later were forming
in line on Green street, the train having been
stopped for them at that point by special re-
quest to enable them, probably, TO "keep in
practice" by the little extra march to head
quarters.
Altogether it was most pleasant and sue
cessful affair and highly creditable to all con-
cerned in carrying out its numerous arduous
details. Especially did the committee from
the several bodies in this city merit many
complimentary words.