Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-11-14

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lJames B. Nicholson, p. C. $. Grand Lodge.l |
The dedication of the handsome $50, coo
hall of Eden Lodge Thursday will form
red letter day in the history of Odd
fellowship in Delaware and of Eden |
Lodge in particular. The completion |
and occupancy OF the new building
makes distinct epoch in the progress Of
the order in this city and presumably in
Delaware. 1t ia the dividing line be-
tween the self satisfied complacency Of
the past and the ambitious efforts Of the
future. The infusion OF young blood
into the several lodges in thia city seems
to have imbued the order mere with new
life which promises TO carry the three
great wstch.words OF "Frienjship, Love
and Truth" to many more Wilmington
tires!deB.
The preparations for the event have
been elaborate and conceived on n lavish
scale, and the members OF the order have
been on the tiptoe OF expectation for
weeks to psrticpste in tho celebration.
The day dawned beautifully and has re-
mained perfect for On outdoof demon.
stfation. The streets we're alive early
with passing bands, and uniformed men,
and the strains OF martial music, tho
floating of flags in the breszes and the
crowded thoroughfsres give the city
general gala appearance. Soma of tho
decorations Rre on an elaborate scale and
everybody seema to breathe spi,it OF
welcolne. The hospitality for which
Wilmington has become noted seems to
permeate the air. Although there are
400 or 800 visitors present ample pro-
vision has been made for all. Not only
do these inspiriting sights breed I'm en-
thusiasm among the members OF the
order, but the crowds of lockers on
manifest an interest that in many cases
ia more than superficial, and the grandest
demonstration of Oddfellowship that
Wilmington has ever seen should result
in some material benefits to tine Order in
this city.
; The members OF Eden Lodge and
J Canton Delaware reported h-Ight and
early at Odd Fellows Hall, the general
trysting place. Here they remained until
the arriving trains began to bring She
visitors from otheE cities. Eden Lodge
| met South 1'fenton Lodge of Trenton,
N. j., at sha Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
, Company's Market street station. The
J visitors arrived here about 10. 6 o'cock in
special train which left Trenton shortly
: utter 9 O'clock. They numbered 106
men under command of ID. L. Mulfoyd,
/ marshal, and Charles II. Giants, Samuel
: Smith aud John q. Davies assistants.
. They were accompanied by Wink
: ler's famous band Of 25 pieces.
3 The two banners inscribed s'Jer
Ens, u
+ Chickens" )" carried in the ranks, testified
: to the good fellowship existing between
, the members of the two lodges while the
air of "We've both been there before many
3 time" by the band, resurrectei zecollec
tions Of the good times which the two
Q lodges have enjoyed on various occasions
q in the nenr pGst. Headed by Eden
+ Lodge, 60 men, in command of Captain
n Edmund Mitchell and accompanied by
0 the First Regiment Band, the two lodges
l. marched up Market street to Tenth ant
s then TO Eden Gali, where the dedication
I took place immediately afterward The
I members OF both lodges wore dark suits
Q high hats, butf gloves, regulation regalia
/; Oantcn Capital, city OF Trenton, n. j..
: abOut 90 men, Captain Reppsrt in com
It mapd arrived over the r., w. u B. rail
road at 10 O'Clock. They wera received
n st the station by Canton Delaware o
4. this city headed by Ayatt'a Military
Band. Accompanying them was BrigGdies
general Mutt and staff Of New Jersey.
National Lodge OF st. Georges, abou
rs men arrived asre during the morning
some on horseback aud others in Car
= riages. Canton Bssndywins of Wes
= Chester, Is men, commanded by s. Is
y Russell, arrived in carriages about l.
- o'clock.
= Oantons Zimmerman and Monumental
y aud Chesapeake Regiment, Patriarch
- Militant, from Baltimore, arrived at tn
=, Delaware avenue staticn OF the B. IL D
, railroad on the train which ghould reacl
% here at 1926 O'clock hut it wa somewha
' late. They were met at the station b.
- Canton Delaware and Hyatt's Band ant
~ ~ escorted 10 the new hall. Tho Gran
~ Canton Washington from the Nationa
i- Capitol arrived shortly after noon.
20 Past Grand Sire james b. Nicholson O
Philadelphia, arrived during the mornin
Y accompanied by his staff and party 0
~ ladies, who were driven to the Hote
Central. The three Pnilalslphia canton
a. came down at O'clock, in time for Ga
A formation of the parade.
re THE pEpIoAToIY CEREMONIES.
|
Il, siys dedicatnry ceremonies were pel
"A formed, presented charming appear
- arce. On tho floor wes II Brussels cai
pet in moq1et design and bright color
The curtains at the windows were draw
n. and illumination was furnished by ele,
,e tfic lamps on tho walls and fifty .cand
ns power lamp in the centre of the ceilini
4 The chair of the noble grand in tii
an south eld CT the room, WAS under
nr canopy Of scarlet cloth. The pedestal
et front OF the noble grand's chair VII
a. decorated with wreath of fragrant On
as pretty roses. The vice, grana's chair, at ii
,eI north end, was under a cauopY of BIZ
,ia cloth. Tho chAirs of the past grand au
nd the chaplain were respectively on IL
in east and west sides. THE chairs are
MI antique oak and heavily covered with Il
emblems ot the orGer. The pedesials
tie offieers' station are of carved an.iq'
co oak and carry 2avel and marble bloo
ek Abont 900 people were present. Eide
an Lodge and the visiting bodice oocupit
or seats or stood upon the platform exten,
il. ing around the sides of the room. Mar
DC ladies we're present aad they and the
spnra cd rlosa f, ftnnf ne Ia