Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-22
ODD FELLOWS DAY.
A Mighty Host Gathered in
St. Louis.
THE PURPLE PLUME WAVES.
At Least Fifty Thousand Members of the
Order Already Present.
A Grand Parade Through the Principal
Streets Reviewed by High Officers
of the Order and Mis-
souri's Governor


ST. Louis. Mo. Sept al-The first day
of the seventy Conciave of the SOY
ereign Grand Lodge. |. .. O. F.. opened
with heavy mist envcloping the city. The
hot weather of the past week gave place
TO somewhat cooler atmosphere,
To the great relief of the Odd Fellows
who participated III the parade this
afternoon. and they passed Il pleasant
breeze Sprang up aud, settling the mist. We
yealed a heavy bank of clouds which Oh
secured the rays of the sun and relieved in
Il great measure the oppressive heat
which has prevailed for several days
past. The reception committee was at the
Union depot early this morning, and the
large delegations arriving Were promptly
received and escorted 10 their assigned
headquarters in the most expeditions man
uer Many of the railroads ran special
trains bringing i'll cantonS and lodges
from within 100 to 200 miles distant.
1t is estimated that 10000 Odd Fellows
ana their families are in the city, besides
many others VINO nave come as spectators
of the pageant and TO see the exposition.
The streets presented = lively ami
animated spectacle. Everywhere and in
all directions could be seen golden
braided uniforms and waving purple
plumeS of the CantonS and regalaS of the
lodges. From Clark avenue and from
Fourteenth street To Fourth street the side
der. Many We're reviving old acquaintanccs
and others We're making new ones. while
not Il few were simply sightseeing and be
inc escorted by various committees to
points of interest about the business por-
lion of the city. BY l o'clock those who
were to take part in the parade proceeded
TO their assigned places from which they
tue street crossing Lucas Place AT and west
of jefferson avenue. There was little dc
lay il the formation of the line but shortly
after o'clock the column began to move.
The procession at first made its way but
slowly down the avenue. owing to the i'm
mcnse crowds of people which had gathered
To witness the parade. Thousands upon
thousands of citizens and visi-
tors lined the sidewalks and filed
every available space, and it was with
great difficulty that an opening could be
made through the wall of humanity that
literally packed the street. The
line of march WAS as follows:
On Lucas place. from jefferson avenue
east to Fifteenth street, north to Washing
ton avenue. east 10 Broadway, south TO
Chestnut. west 10 Fourth. sOutn to Walnut.
Yves, TO Fourth. north to Market. west to
Sixth. north 10 Olive and west to the expo
sition building, on Fourteenth street,
al which point the line was broken
At Twelfth and Olive streets
tit pa was IVNltNttl lIpHi IL
stand erected at that point. On the stand
We're Deputy Grand Sir DR.. G. 5. Camp
bell of London. Ont: Lieut.. John c. Tn
dcrwood and staff, many of the
grand officers, Governor Francis,
Mayor Noonau, the city fathers. the
president Of the board of education, three
division commanders headed by Maj.-Gen
G. NJ. Sloan and staff, and Mrs +, NJ
Rhea, past president of the national con-
yentlOn Daughters of Rebckah
The grand encampmcnt of the sovereign
grand lodge was opened by Grand Sire Dr. f..
c. Campbell. in Masonic hall, in this city, to-
day. Grand Chaplain j. W. Nenable of New
York opened the proceedings with PRAYER.
invoking the divine blessing upon the order
The report of the committee on credentials
was then presented and adopted, after
which the deputy grand sire made his re
port. which was received with tumultuOuS
applause The report referred to
the accident that had befallen the
grand sire OF the order
Charles NJ, Busby of Kentucky, and to the
that surrounded his own
temporary accession TO that position.
y dead silence reigned when the past
grand sire, John G.. Underwood. arose TO
speak. He referred tCUchingly 10 the sick
ness of Grand Sire Busby and moved the
adoption OF resolution of con-
dolence, and the motion was
L !
lie said, had been one of grace and blessing
TO Odd Fellowship. Friendship and truth |
had been, if possible, more closely recog-
nized, and the close of the year finds the |
star of Odd Fellowship in the ascendant
Stanuing committees We're then APP |
pointed. and after that was concluded the |
grand secretary, Theodore +. Ross, pre- |
sented his annual report.
The grand treasurer, Isaac Shep- |
herd of Philadelphia, reported the |
financial status OF the order |
aud commenting upon the figures |
said they showed an increase in receipts |
The number of limitations last year is !
shown to be $1,000, net increase in the
United States and Canada during the past
twelve months is 1900. Total membership |
j13, 229. Revenue for lS90-9l is 1924, 221
The pecuniary benevolence distributed was
81, 000.00O. New England lodges have been
formed in the Indian Territory. Cuba and
Japan. He also referred to the growing
of the degree of Rebekah, which /
now numbers 10. 600 ladies.
After some routine business the session |
adjourned to give the grand officers time to
prepare for the parade.