The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-09

The Order of the Iron Hall Observes Its Ami
gersary in Manner Profitable to Many.

The order Of the Iron Hall last night observed
its seventh anniversary at Englsh's Opera
house A very large audience was assembled,
and showed deep interest in everything that
was done What gave particular interest to the
event was the fact that It was the frst pay
ment of fnal benefits that had been
made since the establishment of
the order. According to its regulations
benefits do not become payable until At the end
of seven years. and last night all OF the original
members of the order who had remained faith
full to the society were paid the full amount of
their benefit certificate lsl 000l minus what they
had drawn out in the time of sickness.
Upon the stage were seated the officers OF the
Supreme Sitting and the beuefciaries 40 well ~
the speakers of the occasion. The exercises
were presided over by Col. N. r. Ruckle. who
called upon Rev. Mr. Daniels to offer prayer
In introducing Mayor Denny, Colonel Ruckle
referred briefly to the condition OF the society.
the objects of which, he said were TO furnish its
members social, moral and material advantages
It provided for the sick and disabled 10 the fsmi-
lies of its members not by making them de-
pendent on charity but by means OF the pay
ment merely of certain Obligations. In
seven years the organization had grown
from forty members to 30, 600, and its treasurer,
who, the first year. had under his care but 500
per month, now had to account for SIS, 600 per
month. He paid compliment to the original
members of tho mother chapter. No. l, OF this
city, whose labors had been fruitful OF SO much.
Mayor Denny was greeted with liberal ap-
plause He said that Indianapolis might very
properly be called the city of secret and benev-
olent societies, as nearly every ono OF
these societies was represented by one or more
there was one which deserved especial consid-
GRAFTON, although he was not himself member
of it Tho society had not yet become very
well known, but be did not doubt that the pres
emit occasion would serve to spread its fame In
this city at least.
The principal address of the evenine-thAt of
F. ID. Somerby, the supreme justice OF the
order-then followed He said the present was
the eliminating occasion Of almost seven years
of trials, difficulties and hard labor. At the out
set the organization not only met opposition
from monopolies but it was antagonized by
sister fratefnities Ii had been formed for the
benefit Of men, rs per cent of whom de-
pond on to-days labor for tomorrow's bread.
The order of Chosen Friends, az well as those
or United Workmen and Iron Hall, had been
doing noble work for the families OF honest
laborinR men. He bitterly denounced the criti-
cisms that were made against such organiza-
tons, and the unsuccessful effort made by the
Missouri Legislature to impose tax upon il. an
attempt that bad been frustrated by good
and wise judge"
After this address the payment OF the final
benefits to the twenty-three surviving members
OF the original forty who formed the society was
made. Only three of them drew the full
amount the remainder having at some time
during the seven years drawn moro or less be-
cause of sickness or disability. The names
OF the benefciaries were- read by VIM. F.
Lander, the supreme accountant and
upon presenting to him their original certif-
Gates they were given checks upon the
supreme cashier for the amounts to which they
were entitled The supreme cashier, Mr.. NJ. @.
Davis, then gave the most Of them checks upon
the Meridian National Bank, but created some
amusement by paying Fred Weiand, treasurer
of Lodge No. l, the full amount of his benefit in
silver dollars. and Edward H. SteRmsu 81, 900
In $50 gold pieces. He also gave T. B. Linn and
F. q. Vilett each q $1,000 gresnback. The
amount received by each one WAS a. follows: