The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-05-08
ODD FELLOWS CELEBRATE.

The Odd Fellows OF the State cele-
brated the SEVENTEEN anniversary of the
order at Detroit, on the 26th ult.
The celebration consisted of n street
parade, a meeting Mt the Detroit
Rink, and IA ball mt the same place. 1t
was just seventy years ago, in the city of
Baltimore, that Thomas Wildey founded
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The lodge thus formed still fourishes in
Baltimore, being known as Washington
Lodge No |. The order of Odd Fellows
is supposed to date back to that time
whereof the memory of man runneth
not to the contrary" There were several
unions in England at the time Wildey
founded the /. O o. +. in this country. The
Independent Order of Odd Fellows is in
reality seeding body. The anti-BIitish
feeling was then strong, and the secession
was probably largely caused by it, Since
1919 the l. o. o. f. has steadily increased
until it now numbers over half a million
people in this country. The anniversary
was celebrated in every city of the Union.
Some 600 or 700 Odd Fellows paraded in
Detroit. The procession consisted of
twelve lodges, four encampments. and
the Detroit Canton, which is the only
uniformed body in the order. Hudson's
band split up into two sections, so thst
both ends of the procession could have
some music by which to march. The
parade was a long and imposing one.
The officers of the grand lodges and those
who were to speak at the meeting occu-
pied the carriages that brought up the
rear. They were as follows: p. G.. VI.
Gen. Oscar A. James, of Hillsdale; p. CT.
Vi. McIlvee, p. G.. NJ. Jones, of Mime
sota p. q. n. ~ II. Martin, of Chatham,
Ont: Past Grand A. w. Brooks, Mai.
James Deem, Past Grand Herman Lip
pold. Hon. c. j. Reilly, ID. 5. Freeman,
George McAllister, Past Grand c. p.
Collins, and Grand Walter Beckwith.
Following is list of lodges and en-
campments in the procession: Olive
Branch No. IS. Western No. $40, Michi-
gan Encampment No. |, Columbus No.
2l5, Riverside No. 303, Detroit No. l2S.
Wayne No. 2, Michigan No. /, Washing
ton No. "a, Amity No. 333, German En-
campment No. IS, First French Lodge of
the West No. li7, Eastern No 3s7, In
gersoll Encampment No. %, Sides No
l55. AT the rink large American flag
was suspended overhead. Arranged
after the manner of footlights on the
front edge of the platform were nineteen
circular shields bearing the names of tine
twelve lodges, four encampments, the
two lodges of the Daughters of Rebecca
and the Detroit Canton. The gallery
front was decorated with small flags and
shields of stars and strips and emblems
OF the Order of odd Fellows. At the
conclusion OF the overture Hon.
G. ]. Reilly delivered the address
of welcome. lie alluded briefly
to the early history and struggles
of the order in Michigan. The princi-
pies Of the order" said Judge Reilly,
are such as upbuild the character Of
man. Judge Reilly, who acted as Chair
man Of the meeting, then introduced p.
q. NJ. Gen. Oscar A. James, of Hillsdale.
Gen. James said that he was pleased to be
with the Odd Fellows on such an occa-
sion We feel proud of the order be-
cause Of its rapid growth, said Mr..
James. 1t numbers over $50. 900 in this
country and lC0 900 in Europe. He who
enters our ranks becomes virtually a
shareholder with us In the dark hour
of gloom the honest grip Of an odd Fell
low will cheer the heart. The sentiment
upon which Odd Fellowship rests is the
principle of the brotherhood After the
band had played Hail Columbia" in pa
triotic fashion, Judge Reilly introduced
the next speaker, p. G.. NJ S. T. Jones.
of Minnesota. Mr. Jones filled the place
of Judge Gartner, whose name appeared
on the programme, but who was unable
to leave his court. Mr.. Jones said: "One
thing that odd Fellowship has failed to
do in the last seventy years is to die.
1t has failed to let brother 60 un-
cared for. 1t has failed to let q broth
er 90 unburied or widow uncared for.
am glad to belong to an organization
that has so many failures tell you,
brethren, am chuck full of Odd Fellow
ship. If any of You ever come to Min
nesota we'll extend 10 You n warm wei
come in St. Paul" Z. G.. NJ. Rev. N. II.
Martin, of Chatham, Ont, was then in
troduced by the chairman Rev. Mr..
Martin said that that son of the Emerald
Isle probably spoke the truth when he
remarked that Adam was scarlet" men,
Der of the Odd Fellows. and Eve Daugh-
ter of Rebekah laughter Mr.. Martin
alluded to the founding of the order by
Wildey in Baltimore seventy years ago.
He also briefly pointed out some of the
strong points of Odd Fellowship. It's
age was one of its principal strong points.
Another thing like about this society,""
said Rev. Mr Martin, is that it does
something for man while he is alive.
IL you have a kind word or kind deed
for brother do it while he is alive. |
like the SOC city because it exemplfies the
brotherhood of mankind. / remember
seeing French cpitaph which read. He