Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1890-05-01
NO22I5
list ANNIVERSARY.
THE ODD FELLOWS GALA
CELEBR RAEION.
They Celebrate uhe 71sG Annlyer-
sary OF the Institution OF the
Grand Order.

The list anniversary of the Instittl-
ton of the grand old order was cele-
brated Thursday night, in manner
that did credit to every member of the
local lodges.
1t was generally known that the ar
rangements made were quite elaborate
but few had any idea that the demon
stration would be anything compared
to what was shown the people.
The public who enjoy demonstra-
tions and parades, were much disap-
pointed yesterday, when the rain be-
gan to fall, and at night, while the
rain had ceased falling, the streets
were very muddy and few had any
idea that the members would march
through the damp streets.
But they knew not the men.
Promptly at seven o'clock, the City
Cornet Band was upon the streets and
shortly afterward the line was formed,
and several hundreds of Odd Fellows
from the local lodges were in line. And
the entire route was marched over,
every member pluckily remaining in
the ranks.
Deputy Grand Master Harry Grouse
was marshall Of the parade, andi for
his aids: Messrs. V. d. Fisher, G. E.
Corey, William s. Fithian and Richard
Trenchard, were mounted upon horses.
After them followed the City Cornet
Band, and the members of Cohansey
Lodge, in full regalia, followed, with
T. Bellas. Commander. The Cohansey
Lodge had a float, upon which was a
victim of the initiation up tree,''
while below, waiting for one more
bump, was their terrible goat. A long
line of small boys also carried fl
The Bridgeton Lodge came after 10
Cohansey, with Capt. Murphy in COM
mand. The officers appeared esl j.
tally well in their handsome regalia.
The veteran lodge, Cumberland No.
80, brought up in the rear.
All along the line rockets burst ia
the air, showering their brilliant stars
in the sky, while red fire blazed every
where. Those in line were frequently
applauded by the hosts of people who
witnessed the parade. .....
At Grosscup's Hall, where the exer-
cises of the evening were to be held,
there was presented a brilliant scene.
Ladies and gentlemen crowded the
large room, and waited in eager ex-
pectaney for the members of the lodge
who we're to participate. and about
half-pasG eight the marching hosts en-
tered the hall and were seated in the
space reserved for them. The hall was
beautifully festooned, hung with dra-
perry, gay bunting and flags. The
names Cumberland, Bridgeton"
and "Cohansey" were suspended over
the front of the stage.
District Deputy Grand Master H j.
Grouse presided, and the invocation
by Rev. John Handley OF Central M.
E. Church, was FIRST given. He was
followed by the orchestra playing an
overture, and quartette was beauti.
fully rendered by Mrs. Janvier, Mrs
Robeson, Messrs. Janvier and ShulL
Miss Mary Janvier accompanied the
quartette upon the piano.
This performance was heartily en-
joyed, and followed by the address of
the evening, by A. A. King, OF Pater-
SON. The gentleman is d polished
speaker and interested his auditors
from the beginning. He directed the
attention of bis audience back to
seventy-one years ago, wnen O.u Eel
lowship was first formed. He pic
tured graphically the bitter struggle Of
the men who had formed the organiza-
ton, to keep it intact against the as
saults of the people, who thought
they saw the organization of great
evil. But, like all other good things,
Odd Fellowship grew, and one by one,
the almost insurmountable barriers
placed in the way of its progress by
the people, were removed, its ene-
mics were convinced that their hostility
was mistake, and one by one
even those who were bitterest in
their opposition joined hands with
those who had taken the solemn obli-
cation, and to-day Odd Fei.owsS.n
stands alone as q great power for good
In the opinion of the speaker, the or.
ganization was help to Church and
State. Men whose passions turned
their thoughts ia directions unseemly.
had been made better by Odd Fellow
ship, and the State had gained good
citizens and the church hearty CO.
workers. He urged upon the young
men to take advantage of the oppor,
tunities offered, and become members
OF such a grand organization. The
address elicited the heartiest interest
and proved to he one of the most
pleasant features of the demonstration.
The sanse quartette previously men,
TONED, san9 sanother'selection, andtf
1