Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-19
FIFTY YEARS AN ODD FELLOW.
An Interesting Semi-Centennial Celebrated
by the Order Last Night.

by the Order Last Night.
| Last evening the Odd Fellows Of the District,
| with their wives and daughters, turned out en-
masse TO do honor to Past Grand Master and
| Representative Oliver Dufour. The occasion
was the fiftieth anniversary Of Mr.. Dufour's in
itiatiOn in a lodge of Odd Fellows. From $50
| until IL o clock his resid nee, 202i street. was
crowded with callers.
| A committee representing all the lodges and
branches Of the order in this District, of which
Past Grand Master Coledge was chairman,
Past Grand Randolph secretary, and Grand
Representative Rev. Frederick A. Stier spokes-
man.. att O'Clock presented Brother Dufour
with an appropriate address, handsomely en-
crossed and framed. The emblems Of the va
rious branches Of the order and pen portrait
| of Mr.. Dufour added to the effect of the work
and made beautiful testimonial. floral
| piece composed of a crown, the three links, n
| sword and shepherds crook. wrought OF flow
ers, representing the various colors OF the ORDER
! was beautiful tribute from Past Grand Master
| James A Watt OF Friendship Lodge. No. II. A
headrest Cthe handiwork of Mrs. John Flem-
ing), with the three links and FIT. in the
center and on tine reverse side the three pillars,
| with F.H.C, all embroidered in appropriate
cOlors, fittingly representing the Daughters of
Rebekah. subordinate lodge and encampmcnt
branches Of the order, was presented on behalf
Letters and kilograms from members Of the
! order from all parts of the country expressive
Of their love for and wishes for his continued
health and happiness were read by Chairman
Colledge, the most noteworthy of which were
messages from the Grand Lodge Of Indiana,
signed by all the officers; from Dufour Lodge
of Indiana, which was instituted by him when
grand master in 1858; from Grand Secretary
Ross of Columbus, Ohio; Past Grand Sire and
COmmander-in-chief of the Patriarchs Militant
John C. Underwood and Past Grand Sire and
Grand Secretary of Pennsylvania James b.
Nicholson. Mr.. Dufour was much affected by
the reading of these testimonials of esteem.
Mr.. and Mrs. DufOur were assisted in receiving
their guests by the members of his immediate
family, the Misses Dufour of Louisiana, Mr..
Stier. Mr.. and Mrs. Colledge, Mr.. and Mrs.
Fleming and Mr.. Seiffert. Animposing feature
of the reception was the arrival Of about fifty
members of Grand Canton, No. ], Patriarchs
Militant, in full uniform and headed by a
band of music. They made q street parade
from the hall on 9TH street and presented a fine
appearance. Mr.. Dufour is in his seventy
second yea. and during the last fifty years has
been an earnest and enthusiastic Odd Fellow
He has received all the honors that the order
can bestow upon him except that of grand
sire. He was grand master of the state of In
diana in 1851 and 1852 and in 1858 was elected
to represent that state in the Grand Lodge of
the United States. where he was a colleague of
the late Vice President Colfax. Removing to
Washington he became a member by card of
Washington Lodge No. 6. and Columbian
Encampment. No. 1, and has represented the
Grand Encampment of this District since 1885.
Owing to failing health he will not be csndi-
date for reelection at the coming session in
July.
MIR. Dufour will leave for the south tonight
to spend a few months in hopes of regaining
his health in milder climate. and his many
friends hope to see him return much improved