Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-14
0DD-FELLOWS MEET.
FIFTY-FoURTH SESSION or THE
GRAND LODGE TO OPEN TO-DAY.
Business of the Body--Grand-sIre Busbee
to Speak To-Night-Many Dele
gates Already Here.

gates Already Here.
For the next two days Richmond win be
agog with 0dd-Fellows and the ceremonies
incidental to the'meeting of the fifty-fourth
annual session of the Grand Lodge Of the
State Of Virginia.
The conclaye will consist of one hundred
grand officers and representatives, who will
meet at Veterans Hall. on Broad between
Sixth and Seventh streets. this morning at
10 O'clock, and will be called to order by
Grand Master w. F. Larrabee. of Hamp-
ton. Va.
After the appointment Of committees and
the reading of the report of the Com
mlttee on Elections and Returns the
body will give consideration to the
financial condition of the order IN the
state, which will be stated in detail by the
report OF the Financial Committee. The
next question considered will be the
strength Of the order and whether there
is any increase or decrease. Next the dis
cussion and selection of q meeting-pla
Tor the next annual meeting of the
Grand Lodge, then the consideration of the
widows and orphans endowment fund.
This will be followed by the election OF
offcers for another term and their installa-
tion, after which the Grand Lodge will adj
iourn.
MUCH INTEREST FELT.
The meeting of the Grand Lodge has
created quite a ripple of excitement In the
world Of the order in the city. and resident
Odd-Fellows are putting forward generous
and hospitable efforts in order to secure
for visiting members q cordial welcome
and happy soiourn during their stay in the
AfVpna - ,NUtNf Nfs=a
citizens. including the Mayor of the city.
are members of the brotherhood and take
great interest in all that concerns its we'll
being.
The length of the session of the body
will not overreach two days and in fact,
some OF the representatives think that 1t
VIII not be busily in session that long. The
list Of officers was published in the DIs-
PATCH of Sunday. IL seems TO be
Of Staunton, will be the new Grand
Master and that Grand-Warden d. II.
Stansberry, of Alexandria, will be Deputy
Grand Master The only contest will be
over the post Of Grand Warden.
THE FITzHUdH MONUMENT.
One Of the most interesting questions TO
outsiders, and one that will excite general
consideration on all sides, will be the
action of the Grand Lodge in the matter of
the purchasing of an Odd-Fellows' section
in the beautiful new cemetery.
River View. Mayor .Ellyson some
time since succeeded in getting the
Committee on Cemeteries TO recommend
TO the Council the sale of section in
River View at so per cent. less than the
price agreed upon, provided that the Odd
Fellows would rear upon the section pur-
chased by them a monument TO a deceased
brother. Judge Edward III. FitZhugh,
Chancellor of Richmond. As soon as the
wishes Of the Odd-Fellows can be known
concerning this matter the city is pre-
pared 10 act
MANY HAVE ARRIVED.
Almost all Of the delegates from a dis
tance reached the city yesterday and last
night. The late contingent will be de-
liyered here this morning. Most of those
who have arrived are at Ford's, the Hotel
at the last-named are Messrs. W. +. LARA
bee, grand master. Hampton, Va. G. NJ.
Kendler. grand herald. Staunton, Va; G.
G.. Wheat, grand district deputy. Staunton,
Va. James G. Blanks, representative TO
the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Petersburg.
Va; w. A. Compton, Front Royal; John
$. Scoggin, Front Royal; Edgar Lyles
Alexandria; A. b. Bowering, Fredericks-
burg; g. ID. Dewitt, Salem; A. ii. ID. Ben
ming, Roanoke; r. +. Whitehead, Suffolk;
T. J.. Spellman, Warrenton j. T.. Cassudy,
Norfolk Past Grand Master j. B. Lee and
A. Il. Burr, Danyille; Il. Sherrard. Win
chester; ID. II. Stansburry, Alexandria;
Messrs George w. Hill, of Washington
Lodge, No. Z; III. V. Vail and A. j. White
Chiler, of Vandalia Lodge, No. ~. Norfolk,
Va; W. w. Sherwood, grand scribe of the
Grand Encampment; and James b. Ley,
of Danville, past grand and representative
to the Sovereign Grand Lodge.
VISITORS AT RICHMOND LODGE.
Last night Richmond Lodge, No. /, held
an interesting meeting at Belvidere Hall.
The visiting brethren were present in force
and had the pleasure of witnessing three
members initiated. After this work or INTRO
duction TO the mysteries Of the order. the
Odd-Fellows enjoyed such refreshments
as the season suggested, and having sOlaced
themselves TO their hearts content betook
themselves to their resting-Places for the
night, from which they will sally forth this
morning prepared for the duties that will
lie before them as representatives of the
Grand Lodge.
Interesting addresses were made by rep
resentatives from various sections of the
State. At the conclusion of the session
the members of the Grand Lodge were es-
corted to the American Hotel, where they
we're rendered a banquet. Past-Noble-
Grand James C. Blanks, of Petersburg.
offered the blessing. While the eating
was in progress Professor Stems orches-
ira materially assisted in adding charm TO
the occasion. A banner over the main en-
trance to the American bears these words:
" Headquarters Richmond Lodge, No. 1,
/. o. o. Il. Welcome to ALL"
A large American flag was placed across
Main street yesterday by Mr. Chris. Even
sen from the hotel TO his place next door
to the DISPATCH Office.
THE GRAND SIRE TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
The Grand Lodge will have the honor of
a visit from the Grand Sire of the Sow
ereign Grand Lodge of the United States,
Hon. Charles NJ. Bubee, Of North Carolina.
He will arrive in the CITY this afternoon
over the Richmond and Danvllle railroad
at 4 o'clock A committee consisting of
his Honor Mayor j. Taylor Ellyson, Major
A. K. Courtney, George f. Bowden, John
s. Bethel, j. W. White, T.. Wiley Davis,
John W. Ferguson; q. l.. Hewitt, George
Past Grand Master l.. F. Mason. Of Aurora
Lodge. who takes the place of Past.Grand
j. W. White. will meet the Grand Sire at
the train and escort him to Ford's Hotel.
Tonight Mr.. Busbee will deliver a lee
ture or public address at the Academy OF
Music, his subject being the objects and
principles of the Independent Order OF
Odd-Fellows. Mayor Ellvson will preside
and extend the distinguished visitor a
hearty welcome TO the city. Governor
Mckinney has also accepted an invitation
TO be present and deliver an address OF
welcome on behalf OF the State Of Yir-
ginia.
This meeting will be under the auspices
of the lodges of Richmond and Manchester,
and the public is invited 10 be present.
Major A. r. Courtney will act as master
of ceremonies. The musical programme
Is in charge of that veteran musician, Past
Grand John Boucher. He will have an or
chestra of seven or eight pieces, and
quartette will furnish vocal harmony.
There will be attentive ushers, and every
thing will be done TO make the meeting q
signal success.
TO CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY.
Grand-Master w. +. Larrabee has issued
a proclamation in reference to the celebraE
tiOn of the intrOductiOn of Odd-fe Fellowship