The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-19
AFFAIRS OF THE ODD FELLOWS.
The Grand Lodge Holds It's Annual Meeting
Condition of the Order.

The annual session of the grand lodge of Odd
fellows began yesterday morning. The morn
ing was occupied in hearing the reports of the
officers
The Grand Master John F. Wildman, Of
Muncie, reported that although the order had
attained no greater strength in membership dur
ing the year, it was in better financial
condition and stronger in friendship and
charity than ever before. The
lodges. which surrendered their charters during
the year were Medora, No 349, Layton No 429,
Palace, No. 557, Garfield No. 957 and Jasper,
No. 590. The lodges at Acton and Bethel and at
Beacon and Mier were consolidated. The
Grand Master recommended that in the future
Rebekah lodges should be instituted only in
thickly settled communities. Attention was d.
rected by the Grand Master to the proclamation
of Henry F. Carey Grand Sire of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, prohibiting Odd-fellows from re-
tanning their membership in the Patrarchal
Circle after Jan. l, 1886.
In his report, Grand Secretary Foster showed
that there are 544 lodges now in the State. with
an aggregate membership of 26, 592 During the
year ], 5l5 brothers and 1872 widows and orphans
were given aid. The receipts from the subordi
nate lodges were 1924 ,278 %, and the expenses
aggregated $57, 841. o. The disbursements for
relief and charity were $40, 1898. The amount
now In the treasury is $l3, Oo9.OS
t. T. Haughey, the grand treasurer, reported
that, in addition to the balance shown by the
gran d secretary to be on hand, the lodge had
l.3l2 shares of Grand Lodge stock, valued at
$32, 800. The Grand Lodge Hall trustees re-
ported receipts to the amount of Sd. 1852 3d. and
the payment of dividends amounting to s., 100.
The afternoon session was occupied in hearing
the reports of committees John W. McQuiddy,
chairman of the committee on the Colfax monu-
ment. asked that committee of five ladies rep
resentlng the Rebekah degree should be ap-
pointed to assist in raising funds. 1t is estimated
that the monument will cost SIC, 900, and this is
the som that the committee will endeavor to
raise. The monument will be erected in Indian
apolis, but the definite location of it has not
been decided upon.
An amendment was proposed, changing the by
laws of the Grand Lodge to conform to the laws
of the Sovereign Grand Lodge in relation to petit
tons for membership.
Inc annual election of officers will be the
special order for this morning at 10 o'clock. The
session of the Grand Lodge will conclude this
afternoon
consolidation of the patriarchal circle and
the uniformed degrees, orders of the Odd-fellows,
has been effected. The Sovereign Grand Lodge
has repudiated the patriarchal circle, declaring
that 1T is not properly connected with Oddfel
lowship and a proclamation, elsewhere referred
to. declares that all Odd-felows who retain
their membership in the circle after Jan. /, will
be expelled. Z
The Mutual Aid Associations annual meeting
was held last night The secretary, John W.
McQuiddy. reported that the membership in the
first division 2, Ill, in the second SOL. and
in this third 80 During the year the receipts
from the respective divisions were $73. 165.70.
$19,22S.30 and $240, and the balances on hand
are 500, 1881, 1854 26, and $17245. There
were during the year twenty five deaths. The
average annual cost of membership since the
beginning of the order for each ST. 900 has been,
in the first class &c. So; in the second SO AZ in
the third $l2 56, and IN the fourth, $18.98