Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-05-25
Odd Fellowship in Olympia.

l. Q. Q. F., the Oldest lodge of the or
der in the Territory, is about to erect
as monument to its cherished prin-
ciples one OF the finest buildings in
the Northwest, a brief review of its
early history seems to be appropriate
and will doubtless be read with inter
est by many who are not numbered in
the ranks of this truly fraternal and
highly beneticent organization.
Olympia Lodge No. was organized
July 18th, 1855, under authority con-
ferred by the Grand Lodge of the Uni
ted States upon Judge c. c. Hewitt.
At that time Olympia was the only
town of much importance north of the
Columbia river, having been the prev
ious year made the capital of the newly
created Territory, and was the point
at which the custom-house had been
maintained, under the first Collector,
Col. S. p. Moses. Vancouver was
more noted for having been the head
quarters of the Hudson Bay Co., and
with Fort Steilacoom) as a U. S. mill
tary station, at the time when Olym-
pia became place of importance, as
the center Of the new political subdi-
vision.
In perusing the records of Olympia
lodge, one is brought to very ample
realization of the fact that he is turn
ing back the pages OF time to another
generation. The names there found
are Of men who have, in the main,
passed from the present stage of life.
Some Of us, who were then enjoying,
unheeded, the bright sunlight of the
morning of life, remember them as
men in their prime, engaged in those
arduous, active duties which constitute
the life-mission Of the individual as a
factor Of community and State. A
very few OF them now live to verify the
remembrance of many events that
seem, viewed through the vista of
time, like thrilling scenes from the
pages of romance.
At the date Of organization, Olympia
lodge met in an old building owned by
G. A. Barnes, Esq, on First street,
near the spot where Etheridge's boat
house now stands. The first officers
were Victor Munroe, N. g.; J. L.
Head, V. g.; d. C. Beatty, r. S.; VIM.
N. Ayers, T.. Samuel Davenport, C. ;
r. P. Smith, w., and David Kizer, o.
S. Victor Monroe was District
Judge, and one of the most talented
men ever detailed by any Administra-
ton for judicial service. He was a
victim of smallpox, few years later,
and his remains were. buried on the
point that juts out into the bay about
midway between this city and Tum-
water, but were afterwards removed to
Masonic cemetery. J. L. Head died
several years ago in Portland, after a
residence of score or more of years
il this place. He was q carpenter by
trade, and one Of the best-hearted OF
men. As watcher at the bedside OF
suffering humanity he had no super
Tor, and his memory is embalmed in
the hearts Of all who knew him. w
N. Ayers remained but a few years in
Olympia, and is known only to the
oldest residents. The same may be
said Of Kizer. Both returned East
and the latter died there. ;, :,
At the first meeting George Blank
enship and d. c. Beatty we're admitted
as ancient Odd Fellows. The fee wa,
fixed at SIS, with SIS additional for thu
degrees. which ranged in price from 5!
for the first to 81 for the fifth. Thu
night of meeting was on Fridays
DR.. G. X. Willard was the first initiate
on the evening Of July q, 1855. Ed
ward Furste, editor of the Pioneer an,
Democrat, was the second initiate, tn,
succeeding session, and Geo. A. Tyke
the first member admitted by card
Further on we find the names of J. NJ
Hawk, w. w. Miller, ]. K. Hurd, Jos
Walraven, VIM. Wright, A. M. Poe
Isaac Dofflemire, Francis Lindner, w
F. Sealy, A. J. Kane, C. Crosby, ST., S
ID. Howe, w. P. Wells, J. X. Hall, 10.
Kirtley and ]. N. Lowe, all of whom
joined the order in the SOS and ar
now sleeping in the silence of tn
grave. Contemporaneous with thes
were Oliver Shead, Wesley Goenel, A
J. Linville, s. Rosenblatt and otherl
who still survive. Among the oldes
Of the present membership are J. N
Swan, whose name first appears on tn
records of February 7th, 1857, S. W
Percival on those of the 21st Of tn
same month, and VIM. Packwood G
December 9th, in the same year.
1t seems that the enterprise now TN
dertaken was no new project of tn
fraternity. At the meeting Of Decem
Der 9Th, 1855, a committee was appoint
ed to consider the propriety Of build
ing hall. After the first month, tn
lodge had leased the building, still
standing in the rear of Young's Hotel
next door west from the Office of tn
Territorial Auditor, but the aspiration
OF the new order reached out, If no
for better quarters, for a lodge-roon
they could call their own. The com
mittee lie heard from once or twice il
the next six months, asking for further
time to report, but it seems the matter
was finally dropped sans ceremonie. Ii
October of the succeeding year, thu
subject was revived and committee
appointed to confer with the projectors
of the Puget Sound Wesleyan Insti
tute for the erection of building fol
joint ownership and occupancy. After
considerable negotiation, the record o.
December 9th, 1856, states, in laconie
form Of expression that indicates that