The record-union., 1891-04-19

corner of Kearny and Clay streets. The
proprietor of the house, DR.. Z. P Jones,
was mainly instrumental in convening
the assembly-a dozen members at
tended. 1t was resolved to establish a
lodge, and measures were taken to carry
the resolution into effect.
One of the most active in bringing it
about was Samuel Brannan of San Fran
cisco. The following notice in a local
paper shows with what success their
efforts were attended:
I. o. of o. F.-The 1. o. of O. f. will hold
ing at the Portsmouth House. Brethren from
abroad visiting this place are respectfully in
vited to unite with them.
Dec. 18th. T ). g. 6. l., No. l.
California Lodge, No. l. continued to
flourish during the winter of lS47, until
May lS4S, when il was broken up by the
stampede for the gold mines. Its officers
were Z. p. Jones, n. c.; S. Brannan, Y.
g.; John Joice, Secretary, and other old
Californians, whose names are forgotten.
About thirty members were attached to
| it. A room was fitted up in a frame
building on Clark's Point, and suitable
regal1a made. This was afterwards de-
stroyed and the constitution and by laws
lost in the confusion incident to
THE EARLY GOLD SCRAMBLE.
There was no charter ever issued for
California Lodge, No. l. In the latter
part of 1913 another Lodge of the same
name was Instituted. and upon this was
conferred the first dispensation enjoyed
by California society. The day made
memorable by this circumstance was Jan
uary II, 1S49. The second Lodge in this
State was established in Sacramento.
The origin Of the order in this city is
expressed ina couple of paragraphs taken
from the Placer Times of September,
1849. The first, under date of September
lst, reads:
l. o. O. F.-A meeting of the members of
this benevolent order was held last evening
for the purpose of relieving the sick and dis
tressed in our vicinity. May Heavens best
blessings be with them in their noble charity.
And on the 18th of the same month ap-
peared the following:
ODD FELLOWSHIP, ETC.-This order, for
the want of q charter, have organized as an
association for the special purpose of relieving
the sick or destitute of the order. Many are
SICK, some have died, but all are provided for.
RELIEVING LOCAL DISTRESS.
1t appears that on the Goth of August a
general meeting of all Odd Fellows was
held in this city, to take measures for the
relief of the sickness and destitution pre-
valent to frightful degree in our midst.
The city government was powerless-
had, IN fact, scarce made an effort to do
anything. At the meeting the Chairman
informed the members that "bundreds
were lying sick rolled in their filthy
blankets" 1t was resolved to form an
association ''to relieve the dis
tressed and bury the dead" A. NJ.
Winn was appointed President.
Some sixty members were enrolled,
who, at large sacrifice of time, worked
nobly in the cause to which they had
pledged themselves. Their labor and self
denial, their kindly sympathies and ready
aid, form one of the few bright spots in
that era Of supreme selfishness and dis
order. An Odd Fellows and Masons'
Hospital was afterwards erected, which
cost S36,OO0. 1t is estimated that not less
than $500, 600 were expended in charitable
purposes during the year lS49 by mem
bers of the association in California.
THE NEXT STRIDE
Of the order was to Marysville. The
Huba Lodge was organized on the 9th of
July, 1910. Like its predecessors, it was
obliged to form without charter. It was
not until 1851, we believe, that the Sacra-
mento Lodge received its dispensation.
From Marysville it extended through
out the north. Stockton and Nevada
were early brought within the limits of
Odd Fellowship.
On the 9th of May, 1853, the Grand
Lodge of California was formed At this
time there were six working lodges in
the State, embracing 533 members. The
progress of the order may be Judged when
we mention that in 1861 it numbered
eighty-two subordinate lodges, 5000 af-
filiated members and according to the
statement Of the Grand Master) 10000
non-atfiliated members. The income in
1857 was S87 ,223 ST; expenditures, S2O,-
100 %; number Of members in good
standing, 3,310.
ITS WONDERFUL GROWTH.
Want of space will net permit the emu
meration of series of interesting partic-
ulars which might be introduced to show
the progress, the triumph, and the bless
ings which have crowned the good work
of Odd Fellowship in this country and in