The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18
WORK OF THE ODD FELLOWS.
The Remarkable Growth and the Pros
perity of Their Order in Indiana.
Gratifying Reports of the officers at the Grand
Lodges Session Yesterday-Assured Sue
cess Of the COlfax Monument Project.

Wnen the dra0O Lodge OF OQd fellows was
called to order yesterday morning there were
present nearly eight hundred delegates, compos-
ing fine-looking body men, representing every
county in the State and all walks of life Among
the prominent citizens of the State in attend
ance are S. P. Oyler Franklin; Major Wildman,
Of the Muncie Times; j. K Kimball,
Kimballville; Laurence Gates, Angola;
j. G. Buckly, Richmond; Senator E..
B. Sellers, Monticello; U. 2. Wiley, Fow-
Ter; Thomas Underwood Lafayette; ]. E..
Barrett, Knightstown; J. E. G. Il. Harper, Mad
ison; James Pearce, New Albany; Plat j. Wise,
Fort Wayne and w. II DeWolf, Vincennes
The past year has been of uEequaled pros
perity with the lodge, and the delegates were all
in excellent spirits. There are in the State over
twenty-five thousand members of the order in
good standing. This number constitutes nearly
six hundred lodges, the resources of which are
over one and half million of dollars
Outside of the regular routine business Of this
years session of the Grand Lodge, the question
of erecting monument to the memory of the
late Schuyler Colfax, who was valued member
of the order, will come up for consideration. It
was not touched upon in the session yesterday,
but will be considered to-day. The monument,
it is understood, is to cost not less than $15 00O
and the monev to build it has nearly all been
raised through the subordinate lodges
of the State. The important question to come
up to-day will be in regard to locating the monu-
ment 1t seems to be the general belief
among the delegates present that
this city is the proper place for IL.
and it is quite definitely understood that it will
be located here, and, perhaps, in Circle Park.
Grand Master j. b. Kenner said. last night:
The monument is to be erected by the Odd
fellows of the State, assisted by the Daughters
of Rebekah. Brother Colfax was very valuable
member of our order, and l think that every
member in the State has or will contribute
something to erect suitable monument to his
memory. The reports we have received since
this Grand Lodge assembled prepare us to state
that the monument will be unveiled next May.
This session of the Grand Lodge will take some
steps in regard to making arrangements for the
occasion"
great harmony which prevailed. Heretofore the
sessions of the Grand Lodge have not been free
from dissensions, and this fact has been great
annoyance to the grand officers. Since 1874
there has not been a session whore there were as
few grievances presented, and all those that
came up yesterday were disposed of in manner
satisfactory to all. The grand officers attribu-
ted this improvement to tbs influence of the
military branch of the order. which has proved
very attractive and has been great benefit in
various ways.
j. B. Kenner the grand master, in his annual
address. commented upon the present great &C
tivity and progress in the order He showed
the net gain in membership for the first six
months of 1886 to have been 822, and that the
last six months will be even better. lodge
has been chartered at Farmersburg. Lodges
have been instituted by dspensation at Benning-
ton, Newberry and Swayzee. charters have
been granted for three Rebekah lodges. Three
lodges have surrendered their charters-Good-
md No e. NJ o,o1 IL NJ
SCI. The grand master said that he had consid-
cradle trouble with Hohah Lodge No. 1923 which
had defed his authority and whose secretary
had written him defiant and threaten
ing letters. He referred the matter to the
Grand Lodge for action. The first decoration
of the graves of deceased brethren under this
new ard beautiful ritual, was most gratifying
success the day being observed by many lodges.
The ritual adopted by the Grand Lodge at the
May session was carried out He concluded by
saying: "Tbe degree work has reached high
state of perfection, the highest ever attained.
Odd fellowship floats level with the highest and
best demands of the time 1t is adapted to and
fills the wants Of even this remarkable age and
to you. who are the watchmen upon its towers
and the captains of her posts. l appeal for still
better endeavors in the great mission for frater-
nizing the world"
Grand Secretary Fosters report showed that
during the term l. $50 brothers and 164 widowed
families had been relieved. The sum of $751;
So, 022 81 for the relief of widowed families,
$484 90 for educating orphans, 81. 924 II for bury
ing the dead, and SIS, Sal. IL for other charitable
purposes, making total Of SAG, GIL Is. The
present membership in the order in Indiana is
25. 737, and there is BALANCE in the Grand
Lodge treasury of $l1, GAL 81
The Emerson Quartet, of Huntington, gave
concert in the lodge hall, last night. for the ben
eft of the Colfax monumental fund The quar-
tet is one of the best musical organizations in
the State. The seating capacity of the hall was
fully tested. The quartet is composed Of w. FL.
East, first tenor; l.. I. East second TENOR j. Fl.
Brown. first bass F. S. Bash, second bass, with
Mrs j. Fl. Little AS pianist Their selections
were we'll spiced with variety. AT the close of
the concert the quartet were giveIfa vote of
thanks by the lodge, and were invited by sew
eral delegates present to give concerts in their
respective communities for the benefit of the
monumental fund, and this they agree to do
service