The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-24
A Gorgeous Ball and Sumptuous Han-
quet Conclude an Auspicious
Occasion. W

procession. Inc Sbr0eJS were CROWDED WIFI
people while the long procession moved and
on Broadway the Canton formed double
column with swords up. The other divis-
ions passed though this column and it was
fully five minutes before the end of the
parade was reached. The Odd Fellows
then marched to the hall where a brief bust
ness session was held. The order of the
procession was as follows
Platoon OF Police
Grand Marshal. Mounted.
Capital City Band.
Canton Wilaey No. l..
Canton Schuyler Colfax No. 2.
Officers subordinate Lodges.
Drum Corps.
Members Subordinate Lodges and Encampments.
Representatives of the Grand Lodge.
'''A 1 Officers in Charge. 'aA
Officers and Members of the Daughters Of Re-
bekah in Carriages.
pleasant feature of the day was the in
itiation of twenty-three Daughters of Re-
were interesting and beautiful. Captain L.
s. Booth and staf performed the exempli-
flying work of,the Rebekah degree. His as
sistants were: N. g.. Mrs. Carrie F. Ray;
v. g., Mrs. j. Malberg; chaplain. Mrs. Gill
lette; P. G., Mrs. Harrington; conductress,
others were Mrs. Estabrook, Mrs. Epstein
berger, Mrs. Wakeman, Miss McRae, Mrs.
Cliff. Mrs. White, and Mrs. MeikIeiohn. The
installation ceremonies occupied about two
hours and half. and were witnessed by all
the members of the grand lodge.
The event of the day and OF the present
annual meeting of tho grand lodge was the
ball and banquet which Excelsior Lodge, of
Helena, had prepared for the closing fea-
tuFe of the occasion. just as darkness
prevailed there was hurrying of cabs in
all parts of the CITY to the great armory
hall, which by nine O'Clock was blaze Of
glory. Every countenanoe gave evidence
of pleasure bent. Fully four hundred peo-
pie we're on the door to take part in the
grand march. Many strange faces were
to be seen. The Odd Fellows
were in full dress uniform and
led off the grand march. Gorgeous toilets
and bright, CHEEKY faces of fair women were
there in great variety and the spectacle of
the bright variegated costumes Of the ladies
and the gorgeous regaliR Of the Odd Fell
lows as they whirled around the spacious
floor, to the inspiration of Prof. Romandy's
superb orchestra, was truly grand. The
dancing card contained twenty we'll Sc
lected numbers, half of which were danced
before intermission.
It was midnight when the banquet was
announced, and carriages were on hand to
carry all over to Turner hall where VIM. F.
Mellen and corps Of sixtee polite attend
ant were ready to spread the feast. The
banquet board consisted of four long rows
of tables, which at first glance looked like
one great flower bed. Beautiful plants
adorned every table and bouttoneire was
found at each of the 800 covers laid.
The local brethren we're very solicitous
of the proper treatment of their
The tables were heavily laden with good
things. It was a collation. which the most
fastidious epicure would have admired and
included all kinds of game. relishes, del
icacies. fruits and desserts. During the
agreeable task of disposing of the collation..
At proper time ?. g. NJ, $. |. Stone intro
duced Past Grand Master, Massena Billiard
who responded to the toast 1.-The Grand
Lodge of Montana Mr.. Billiard
paid glowing tribute to the work of the
order. The grand lodge, he said, had just
reached the age of sweet sixteen, having
been organized July l6, 1874 The first
treasurer in his annual statement reported
the receipts of the first year $685. expendi-
lures $1.25. The speaker then reviewed the
condition of the order in Montana by COM
parison.. The first year it had l65 members
FIRST year it paid out for benefits $40; last
year $500 was the sum. Then it
had four lodges, three of which organized
the grand lodge; now there are sc
lodges in the state. The speaker thought
it a remarkable fact that every year showed
30 many new societies being formed around
it. The grand lodge had received from
subordinate lodges $4,000, $4,000 Of
which has been paid out for educating
orphans. alone. He said since its
s9s Of the S ods. had the
century of time III caring for the sick.
and asked how many thousand centuries
of time must the order at large have devOt-
ed to the worthy task of caring for their
brothers and sisters. The world was made
better for Odd Fellowship, as its purposes
are humane and benevolent.
Henry McMurphey, of Butte. made a
brief response to the toast, Subordinate
Lodges" Mrs. Carrie F. Ray. no.
BILE grand of the Daughters of
he eoal. IN. made response to
the entertainment and in behalf of her
sisters promised they would all do their ut
most to fulfil their obligations and to per-
form the duties laid before them. The
eloquent Robt. b. Smith was the next
speaker to toast to 1.-The good of the order"
the hall and he was listened to with rapt
attention. He took for his motto Love-
the keystone of the brotherly link and
the central figure. not only of the objects
and purposes of the order, he said, but the
central figure of the universe The one
grand thing that rules everything and that
lies in every breast. Friendship, Love and
Truth are the watchwords of Odd Fellow
ship. Love makes friendship stronger and
truth miRhtier and it is love that binds the
Odd Fellows together with merchandising
strength whether in distress or poverty, II
is love, he said. that accomplished all the
good done by the order, as it is the central
figure of all that is good and noble in hu-
mainly" >.
Mr.. Smiths tribute was beautiful, and
delivered with fervent eloquence tina,
went to the heart of everybody, and he wa
loudly applauded upon concluding.
Three cheers were given for Excelsior
lodge for its excellent entertainment. The
hundreds then returned to tn,
merry dance and enjoyed them
selves with renewed zest. It wa
gala oocasion-one that will long be cher
ished with happy remembrances by tn,
guests of Excelsior lodge. To Henry As.
mussen, John II. Biles and Louis Schott, of
the committee of arrangements. great
praise is due for the excellence of the entire
affair, which will be remembered as tn,
grandest Of the year.
Ladies' Underwear very cheap at The Bee Hive