The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-10-16
MANKATo FREE Press.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

The l4th anniversary celebration of
Blue Earth Lodge, No. 80 of the
Ancient Order of United Workmen,
held at the opera-house Thursday
night, was complete success.
The committees who had the mat
ter in hand, spared no pains to pre-
pare a program that was interesting,
entertaining and instructive. The
stage setting was tastily arranged, as
was the draping of the stars and stripes
on each side of the proscenium and
also the background. The Germania
orchestra rendered excellent music
and was enthusiastically applauded.
The following gentlemen occupied
seats upon the platform: Presiding
officer. Judge ]. E. Porter, p. NJ. W.:
Joseph Eckerstein, P. M. g.: Geo. n.
LANG G. NJ: VIM. II. Barnes. Barnes,
California: p. III. Jourdan, M. w: Dr.
Merritt, G. NJ. D.: D. Ramally,
Sterhen Thorne, Geo. H. Clark and
VIM. Young.
When Judge Porter introduced Mr..
w. II. Barnes, of California, an audi
ence that filed the lower part of the
house, he was warmly received. In
his opening remarks he told his hear
ers that he did not propose to give
them dry, statistical, CHASTITY, home
ly lot of figures, and he kept his word
In quiet, earnest, but firm man.
ner, he drew simple sketch OF the
Order, from the day of its birth, traced
its infant career through to manhood,
and then went on to point out some of
the obstacles that had been overcome
on the pathway. As he went along
step by step, touching upon one branch
here, and another there, his apprecia-
tive audience eyinced their approval
by applauding.
"Our work is not to give an amount
to member himself" said he s'but to
those he leaves behind when he cross
es the ruin Of Death
He carried his listeners to the high
est peak of laughter, and in twinkling
he would bring them down to the deep
valleyof silence, pointing out the duti-
es every husband, every father owes his
children: and every child owes it's
parents. Turning to the portraits
hanging on either side of the Ameri-
can colors, he paid glowing tribute to
the memory of John r. Upchurch,
who performed yeoman service, in his
life, for the cause of cooperative as
sociatiOns. In bright, clear and
able manner he referred to the work
of the past, and spoke encouragingly
of that which is to come. He COM
plimented Blue Earth, No. 80, and
urged them to be faithful to their
families, their country and their God.
Words flew thick and fast, and he
waXed eloquent as he drew near the
end Of the chapter. AS Mr.. Barnes,
who is reputed to be one of the silver
tongued orators Of the Pacific coast,
took his seat the applause was deaf
ening.
Mr.. George NJ. Laing, Grand Master
of the State OF Minnesota, was intro
duced, and briefly drew the outlines
of the work Of the Order in this State.
His words were few, but they were
full Of telling facts. As he took his
seat, Mr.. Barnes was called upon to
render several humorous selections of
old plantation songs, and they were
admirably received, especially his rem
dition on the piano Of RAILROAD
Engine While the orchestra was
playing. those who had tickets adj
jOurned to the banquet tables in the
basement. About go persons had the
pleasure of partaking of a bountiful
repaSt, and those present declared
that f. G. Heinze surpassed all previ-
Gus efforts in getting up such an elabo-
rate spread. The tables were ladened
with meats, fine coffee and choice
fruits, besides many other palatable
dishes. Those who were present at
the lecture and banquet, will carry
pleasant recollectionS of the event for
years to come The fraternal asso-
Citations are doing good work in
southern Minnesota, as well as else
where. and to them we say God speed.