Bridgeton pioneer., 1888-06-07
X. G. E.
The Second Anniversary of
Bridgeton Castle.

OSSSU1C
The rain pattered down upon the
roof OF the Opera House May 31st,
as hundreds of people in response to
invitations were vending their way to
that popular place of amusement.
the occasion was the celebration of
the second anniversary of Bridgeton
Castle, No. 13, knights of the Golden
Eagle. The fact of its raining upon
this occasion was nothing strange.
Bridgeton Castle was instituted in the
rain. All its public meetings have
br2ught rain. It rained on the eve
ming Of its first anniversary, and none,
WHO were out, can dare say that the
gentle nists did not fall last Thursday
night.
/ .the following committee had charge
OF sr all the arrangements, and.
they deserve especial credit for the
manner in which they succeeded with
their duties; R. M. More, Joseph H.
Garwood, Harry Osborn, L. D. a..
Giimour, Joseph Arnold, Joseph H.
Fithian, John Trenchard and NJ. b.
Mulford. The Sir knights who were
present last light night, appeared with
dark suits, white gloves and regula-
ton caps, and they presented a fine
appearance.
The stage was elaborately set with
plants and flowers, and seated upon
the stage were, Col. Charles Laing, of
st. Georges Castle, Philadelphia; VIM.
Strang, Grand Instructor, of New Jer-
sey; H. F. Petit, Grand Vice Chief, of
New Jersey; Major w. T. Dubois, who
by the way appeared resplendent with
a handsome new uniform; G. S.
Herald, VIM. Hewitt, Past Chief, Jos.
Arnold, Past Chief, H. Frazier Bell,
Past Chief, Jos. II. Garwood, and Past
Chief Richard More had charge of the
program.
Prof. F. d. Carll's orchestra played
an overture and L. .. II. Gilmour was
announced and made few intro
ductory remarks. He welcomed the
aue ence and in criticising the enter
ttaiI;;-nent ae asked that they may do
so charitaDly The Question, he said,
had been asked, why women were not
taken in the Order. He said that an
Initiation was to take place later, and
if any of the women wanted then to
join they would be cheerfully well
coined
After music by the orchestra, H.
Frazier Bell was introduced and gave
a short but interesting history of
Bridgeton Castle. In substance what
he said was as follows: In the early
part of May two years ago several oiti-
zens of this city conceived the idea
from Millville's Castle, that castle of
the order should be instituted here.
80 a meeting was called in Mares
Hall. Then another meeting was held
in Reeve & Fithian's building and thus
the castle was instituted. Prominent
among those who did most for the in
stitution of Bridgeton Castle, were
Messrs. T. b. Woodruff and Samuel It.
Garrison. The speaker said that he
found by referring to the minutes of
the Castle that on May Sd, fifteen gen
tlemen went to Millville for initiation.
Coombs' Hall was the first place of
meeting as society. Here the men,
bers were initiated by Grand officers
He named over the first officers of the
Castle as well as those at present fill
ing the chairs
Coombs' Hall did not prove centrally
located for most of the members, and
the Castle removed to Horner's build
ing. Here they continued for short
time, and so many came focking to
the order that more commodious
room was demanded and negotiations
were made with MCGOWAN & Nichols
for their present place. After vast
amount of hard work by the various
committees, and liberality upon the
part of MCGOWAN s. Nichols, Bridgeton
Castle moved into hall, second to
none in the State, and one which calls
forth the admiration of all strangers
who look upon it. To VIM. T. Dubois.
the Castle owed vast amount of
credit for his unflagging zeal and labor
in fitting up the rooms for the secret
work. [applause.
The growth of the order has been
phenominal, especially in the first
year. At one time the speaker re-
membered seeing score and half at
initiation altar. The growth was such
that many predicted its fall, but he de-
clared that Bridgeton Castle was a
fixed fact and was here to stay. The
second year had brought to the Castle
a fair share of the memb bers, and now
upon the second anniversary night the
Order could show over three hundred
members and financial showing of
$4,000. He spoke of the beautiful
L.