The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-22
ODD FELLOWS IN SESSION
The Seventy Second Annual Con-
clave at st. Louis Draws a
Great Number.
More Than Fifty Thousand Mem
bers of the Order and Their
Families Present.
Meeting of the German IN ericnn Clerical
Union -Switchmen at Phllad alpha
@ American Mechanics.

ST.. Lours, Sept. 2l.-'rhe a-st day OF the
seventy-seoond conclave Of tho Sovereign
Grand lodge. I. .. Q. f.. opened cool and
pleasant, much to the delight and comfort
Of thousands who participated In the par
ado md many thpusands more OF persons
Who are here to see it.
It is estimated that over $4,000 Odd Fell
lows and their families are in the city, be-
sides many thousands of others who came
simply as spectators. Everywhere n in
all directions could be seen the uniforms
and regalia of the lodges.
Shortly after two o'clock the column be-
can 10 move. First came the grand mar
shal, Past Grand Master Woodward and
staff; then Major General Sloan
and staff. commanding the di-
vision Of the Mississippi; Lieutenant
General Underwood and staff, commanding
the army of patriarchs militant; Bripadisr
General Cadle and staff, commanding the
First brigade, department. of Missouri. The
frst division was under the command Of
Colonel Harris, composed OF Missouri can
tons. Colonel Abercrombie commanded
the second division, made up of cantons
from Missouri. Ohio and Kentucky. Tho
third division was under the command of
Brigadier General Croker, composed OF the
cantons from Chicago, Peoria, Springfield
and Decatur, Ill. In the fourth division
were cantons from different parts of In
diana. Then came Assistant Grand Mar
shal Vonderfehr in command OF the civic
divisions, and then followed members OF
the sovereign grand lodge in carriages.
The procession at first made its way
slowly between the immense crowds gath
cred TO witness the parade. Thousands of
citizens and visitors lined the sidewalks.
and filled every available space and it was
with great difficulty an opening could be
literally packed the streets, the limo of
march was through the principal streets to
the exposition building, in which was con-
Quoted the exercises OF welcome. These
consisted of cordial addresses by Gov.
Francis, on behalf of the state; Mayor
Noonan, on behalf of the city; Key: j.. s.
Jewell, grand master and grand patriarch,
on behalf of the order; and replies by the
deputy grand sire, and others. At Twelfth
and Olive street. the parade was reviewed
from a stand erected at that point. On
the stand were: Lieut.. Genl. John c. I'm
derwood and staff, many of the grand
officers. Gov. Francis, Mayor Noonan, the
city fathers. the president of the board of
education, three division commanders. and
Mrs. Rea,' past president of the national
convention of the daughters of Rebecca.
Tho seventy-second grand enoamnment
of the sovereign grand lodge l. 0. O. T..
was opened by Deputy Grand Sire DR.. c. I.
Campbell. Grand Treasurer Isaac A. Shep-
pard, of Philadelphia, reported the finan-
cial status of the order, and commenting
upon the figures, said they showed m in
crease in receipts. The number of initia-
lions last year is shown to be $4,000. The
total membership at present is 672 ,339. The
~oru f,r 1904 al a 30 CT oCfdCJ The r.
cuniary benevolence distributed was $4,-
GOO. 600,