Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1888-03-01
FROM DELAWARE.
The Grand Lodge A. o. U. w
WILMINGTON, Del. Feb. "a, 1888.


In company with one hundred other
representatives your correspondent
has been in attendance at the session
of The Grand Lodge, Ancient Order of
United Workmen, held in this city
during the past three days. This
Grand body sits annually for the Juris-
diction of Maryland, New Jersey, and
Delaware, and it is as fine looking and
intelligent Legislative assembly as
can be found anywhere. Grand Master
Workman William II. Verlnilye, of
Hudson county, N. j., presided. He
proved himself a very able and very
skillful parliamentarian. Many i'm
portant questions were submitted to
the Grand Lodge, all of which were
ably debated, and satisfactorily dis
posed of.
Many of your readers may not under
stand the object of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen, and for their
benefit will state that it is Life
Insurance Society, mutual in character,
which pays $4,000 on the decease of
any of its members. The Beneficiary
Certificate is generally made out to
the wife or family of the members, and
they come into immediate possession
of that sum as soon rs death occurs.
The Society is kept up by assessments,
each brother being assessed $10O on
the decease of member. The assess
ments and dues average about $1S 90
per year. 1t is one of the noblest and
best forms of insurance in existence.
In this Jurisdiction there are 5,206
members of the Order. Last year there
were thirty death claims paid, amount
ing in all to $6sOOO
Among the thriving Lodges of the
Ancient Order in New Jersey is Myrtle
No. 33, of Bridgeton, which now has a
membership of forty, Notwithstanding
it is barely seven months old.
On Tuesday evening the Grand
Lodge was rendered banquet at Odd
Fellows Hall In this city. Escorted by
the Wilmington Lodges and headed by
band of music, the Grand Lodge
paraded Market street and from thence
to the Hall, where three hundred
covers had been laid. Then there was
"a feast fit for the gods" After the
good things Grand Master V4rmilye
made an interesting address. Elk Con-
gressman Lore spoke for the State of
Delaware. and bade the guests vel
come. Representatives Walter H. Bar
rows. of Mount Holly, and l. r. Mich
OILS, of Bridgeton, responded for New
Jersey. The speeches were received
with applause. Among those present
at the banquet were two former
Bridgetonians, now residents and
business men of Wilmington, Meyer
Meyers, clothing merchant, and Gotlieb
Krautter, soap manufacturer. They
were much pleased to see the Bridge
ton representative, and paid him many
courtesies.
The Grand Lodge adjourned Thurs
day morning, after a most delightful
session. Previous to the adjournment
the Grand Master was presence with
Il large satin lined case which contained
a magnificent set of silver spoons,
(little aud by,) knives and forks, and
other table furniture of beautiful de
sign and finish. 1t was the gift of the
Grand Lodge to its retiring officer,
aud was one that must be seen to be
appreciated. Grand Master Vermilye
received it in a neat speech of thanks.
Wilmington is great nanufactur-
ing city. Piloted by Deputy Grand
Master Workman c. H. Davis, Of that
city, and Mr. w. G. Farra, Superinten
dent of the Jackson & Sharp Company.
we visited the great car works of that
we'll known firm. The buildings are
on a spur of land partly surrounded
by the Brandywine, and Christana
! rivers, and cover many acres of
ground. In these great workshops
one thousand men are continually EN-
plOyed turning out cars of every grade.
They manufacture an average Of II car
day the year round. ON Tuesday
last, the pay day, (Which takes place
once week,) the Superintenden in-
formed us that the firm paid to their
employees in wages $l070 Space
forbids US giving ii detailed description
of this great establishment, every de-
| partinent of which we were permitted
to visit by courtesy Of Mr.. Farra, who
is gentleman in every sense of the
word.
At the Harlan & Hollngsworth ship
| yards, we were shown the various
stages of iron ship-building. Eighteen
hundred inen are at work at this place,
and the sound of their many hah,iners
unakes the air resonnd with a great
business hum and stir, the like of
which is not often seen outside of the
largest cities. On one of the big iron
steamships just flushed We found
| Benjamin Gibson, a Bridgeton boy.
! welding the paint brush with his Old
time skill. He says work in his line is
plenty, and wages good.
Wilmington is a city of 60,G00,l in
habitants. 1t is located priheipaiiypssf
high ground from which spfehdid
views of the Delaware riverlare OBJ
tanned on clear days. ltr@is a we'll
built city, handsomely laid out, with
many beautiful public buildings and
private residences. The city has three
daily newspapers, and two weaklies,
the. most popular of which are the
Ece'y Ecsniny and the Morning Nnos.
Tue printing busincs is lively espe-
cially the job line Of work. Mr. H. G.
WhitQkQr VI cf all