, 1890-05-01
.COLFAx TO THE FRONT
A Description of the New
Fraternity Block.
BEAUTIFUL AND MAJESTIC.
The Finest I.odgorooms in the
State for Masons and Odd
Fellows.

CoLFAx, Wash, April 70. There are
few things necessary to building up .
large city. Among them may be men
toned. good newspaper, a good hotel,
or a few good substantial buildings from
timc to time TO give IL stimulus, rs IL
were, and to choke or the chronic
growier who is continually whinins
about the bottom falling out or the
whole thing coming down with a crash,
etc. Colfax has all Of these qualtica-
tons. and Is adding fresh latrels to the
wreath OF Improvement until she now
ranks as first on the list as having thu
iihest fraternity block In the state.
This building erected by tho Masons
and Odd Fellows. has frontage OF 10
fcot ON Main street, and was handed
over by w. White, tho builder, the ct her
day. II is built of brick with granite
trimmings, three stories high. sur.
rounded by u large gothic tower, the
whole being 40 feot high, making IL
very attractive building, and costina
over $4,000. The first floor Is divided
into three large store rooms, ninety feet
deep. with iron fronts and large piafs
glass windows. One OF tho stores is
occupied by the Bank OF Colfax and an
other Is rented. Tho second floor IA
divided into very neat and convenient
suites OF OH CO rooms. n nu. .nbcr ofwhich
are occupied, while tho upper floor 1,
devoted TO tho use OF tho two sociotie,
for lodge rooms, and although under
one roof and broad stairway,
finished In hard wood, rassiti1
up through the entire building
still each society owns its own build
ing respectively. tho Masons having ID
by ~ and the Odd Fellows 30 by % ieet
The lodge rooms deserve moro than q
passing glance, especially the Nrasons',
as IL certainly Is ono of.the finest OF III
kind in the state. Besides the larg
lodge room, which Is handsomely paint
cd and frescoed, there Is q large banquet
ing hall, Kitchen, visistors' room, ana
rooms for other purposes, and nun,
ber Of large, deep closets. The paintinf
Is fine. and shows the good taste OF tn,
artist On the walls, In panel aud gilt
are nne landscapes, views la the Hob
Land, and others emblematf
of the order. whilo tho ceilinf
is pain ted light blue, with tho moor
and stars in gilt, representing thu
3275. The floor will be covered with
handsome brussels carpet at a cost Oh
$500 and besides tie furniture, which
Is very handsome, now being used In tha
old lodgeroom, $1,000 additional will DO
expended on new furniture.
The fraternity deserves a great deal OF
credit and Colfax may feel justly proud
Of having the handsomcst place OF finuct-
ing In the state. II VIII be dedicated by
the grand master, May -, when an In
yitatton WILL ba extended 10 AT Mnatcr
MnsOns 90 De prcsens.
Tho odd Fellows hall II the SHINE IN
size and appearance as the Masonic,
but has no banqdeting hail. TIL.
will also be handsomely painted
a little later on, as they found the walls
were not dry. The floor will be covered.
with handsome brussels carpet, and to-
gethor 1t will be very attractive lodge
room. The furnishings will eost about
$50. The stairway leading To these
rooms is broad and massive in appear
ance, the carving on the posts giving IL
% decided finish. The whole building
will be lighted up with sixty incandesecnt
electric lights OF sixtecn-candle power
each. The brilding is very striking in
appearance, and in every respect %
credit to these societies. Its the hand
somest and mosl substantial building iI
the city. Delightfully."- situated, II can
not fail TO attract the attention Of the
visitor at once.