National Republican., 1888-04-09
VISIT OF BALTIMORE ELKs.
Royalty Received and Entertained by
the Lodge Here.

Baltimore Lodge of Elks had laid their
plans to give a surprise to Washington
Lodge of this city. but the tables were
turned upon the bucks of the Monumental
city most beautifully At their session
held q week ago the latter body decided to
pay q fraternal visit to the lodge in the
capital Of the nation and see how the secret
work was eXemplifcd. That there should
be no opportunity to prepare for them 1t
was decided to keep the contemplated visit
a secret, arrive here on n special train, and
not let the members of No. 10 know they
were on hand until they landed in the city.
The project worked well for few days
and then Washingtonan happening to be
in Baltimore on business got hold of the
information and returning home let some of
the members of the lodge here know what
was In store for them. Then It was that
they decided TO try their hand at surprises
and see which of the two would prove the
most successful. Exalted Ruler Fithan. of
No. IL, consulted number Of the members
and plan Of reception and entertainment
was decided upon. At 5:20 o'clock yestcr-
day evening n special rolled into the B. e O.
depot, and ON board were forty members Of
Baltimore lodge. As they came forth from
the station. intending TO take the street cars,
they met their first surprise. There stood
committee of ten members of Washington
Lodge In few minutes the visitors were
seated In open carriages and given n drive
through the city, shown all the beautiful
places, and finally brought back to the llar-
ris House, where mine host John H. lIar-
ris, a jolly and generous member of Wash
ington Lodge, awaited their coming and
received them with u face hcaming with
smiles. They wercushered up stairs and a
few minutes later invited into the dining
room where they met another surprise at
the hands Of their Washington brothers
They found the table loaded with much
that was tempting, and, appetiies being in
good shape, the order to partake was quickly
acted upon. The committee Of reception
had been augmented by other members of
The lodge uniting with them. and there were
over sixty partaking of the dinner. II was
near So'clock when the discussing of the
good things was concluded, and then visit
was made to the lodge room. Here they
were heartily received and had one of the
purposes of their visit accomplished The
secret work of the first degree Of the order
was excmpltied, and is said to have both
pleased and astonished them. There was
50 much smoothness and instruction in the
manner in which the degree was conferred
that II gave the visitors chance to seize
upal several new points and profit by
them. Exalted Grand Ruler Dir. Ham
iltOn j.. Leach was also present.
and seemed satisfied with the exhibition by
his own lodge. Addresses were made by
members Of both lodges and received with
much appreciation. No social session was
given, as the lodge now holds these events
on the first Thursday of each month, but
there was an abundance Of refreshments aud
food In the outer rooms, which received
considerable attention ere the party
separated. As the special was to leave at
1918 this morning for Baltimore, it was
about 1870 O'Clock when. the visitors headed
for the depot, escorted by the members OF
the lodge here. They admitted that the
surprise to them had been complete, that
they had been most royalty entertained, and
all they wished was Il chance to get even.
If Washington would only return the visit,
fta F9S Some idsa 81 Bl&nSoSrt tho ospaiityo i o'v"
Among the visitors were $. w. Fort.
exalted ruler: W. p Wilson, II. II. Fisher,
j. Roach. a. L. Henderson, j. r. Reock,
g. p. Wright, \. Dannenburg, Eugene
Herman, .Justus A. Russell. A. B. Carter,
Jacob johnson, and others.