The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-03

y pensation bears date March 10. 1867, but th
L, lodge waa not instituted until July Z, 1861
q At which time district deputy. Grand Sir
+ II. y. Noroom. made his appearance and !
I, due form organized Montana lodge No. ]
n. great and benctioent work of Odd Fellow
&. ship. The charter membership OF Mon
tana lodge No. was composed Q
y the following named persons: r !; WI
o. James Singer, Il Marks, ". j. Bauer, 4. s
re Mansfield, Zeno IIoyt and Nj. B. Edinger.
l. At the time of institution the following
T. named mcmhers were admitted on deposi
" Of cards: Louis Levy, David Hoover, Ed
10 Ter, Charles NJ. Jefferis and Samuel Sob
Is neider. The first officers OF the new lodge
were as follows. N. G., i. s. Mansfield: V.
G.. W. j. Bauer; secretary, NJ. b. Edinger;
treasurer, /. Marks: warden, Joseph Singer
conductor, Louis Levy; Il. s. N. G, Zeno
Hoyt; l.. S. N. g.. +. 4. Williams; I. G.
: Charles M. Jefferis; @. G.. David Hoover:
' Il. s., Christian Hehl; l.. s., Edward BEN
. son.
: time for its regular weekly meeting. aud
4 ever since that time has continued to meet
: upon the same evening of tho week. The
/ first man to receive the initiatory degree in
Montana was Jacob Loeb, who is now a
member of Excelsior lodge No. s, of Hell
, ena. The first four regular meetings Of
the new lodge we're held in Masonic temple
, on Broadway. The lodge paid $25 per
night as rent, the payment being made in
gold dust, which at that lime commanded a
premium over United States currency.
Currency was Il scarce article in Montana in
! those days. The new lodge sought by u
motion, to compel the payment OF all dues
and demands owing to 1t in currency, but
the members, fearing that there would not
be sufficient promissory notes of the United
States to go around, refused to sustain tho
motion, 30 that members we're required to
dust. After leaving the Masonic
temple the lodge held its meetings
in what was known as the Hancock build
ing, at the head OF Main street, on the Same
promises now occupied by the mercantile
house. of Mr.. Chas. Lehman. In 1869 their
meetings were held in the Magnolia build
ing, near the corne of Main and Edwards
street. now occupied by the Union block.
In 1870 their meetings we're held in the
Dunphy block. In 1879 the new lodge had
so far succeeded in aecumuiating funds as
to be able to erect the building since that
time and occupied by them.
From a charter membership OF nine this
lodge now has 1873 members in good stand
ing and has $29. 600 in its treasury. 1t has
furnished oards to hundreds of members
who have assisted in organizing other
lodges in the territory and state and l. is rec
ognized throughout the state as the mother
oAAo ~ AStAO"1 ~ QAoAtNuo. ~ U0S |
paid out Sc, o. 70 for relief of brothers,
81, lO9 in charity, $l,663 in the burial of
deceased members aud 1898 in relief of
distressed families; making a total of $10,-
O222. 70 paid out in charity and relief.
The grand lodge Of Montana was o gan
ICED in the hall Of Montana lodge No. /,
Helena. ON July 16, 1874. Four lodges were
then working in the state. of which three
were represented. There were eleven past
Rrsnds present. The following elective
officers were chosen: Grand master, d. H..
deputy grand master, L. E.
Holmes; grand warden, Joseph A. Hyde;
grand secretary, Arch Graham: grand
Edward Frank.
The entire membership Of the Jurisdiction ,
at that time was reported to be l65. The
meeting N 1876. we're reported at s SO .O5,
and the expenditures at $1.05.
Montana now has a grand lodge, a grand ;
encampment. forty-four subordinate lodges,
fourteen e~ncampments, six cantons, eleven
Rebekah degree lodges and a total men,
years that have elapsed since the organica-
ton of Montana loge, No. l. the subordi-
nate lodges of the territory and state of ,
have received as revenues 1921, ,
and have paid out in relief of its
members and for charity $500 0 u. They {
for 6.567 weeks. f
The great underlying principle Of Odd :
Fellowship upon which the institution was !
founded and upon which it has so securely /
rested is embodied in these wordss 1.-The ,
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of
man." l have referred to some statistios !
OF membership and finances, but how in !
slgnlhcant are these compared with other :
achievements. Who can estimate the in
huence which this great body of men and /
women have exercised and continue to ex- !
erclse upon all moral and social institu-
tons? What figures can represent the s
value OF the consolation and comfort which
has been offered to the sick and the dying?
lhe stranger in a strange land is taken
down with disease. He sees about him no !
faces that he has before beheld. If he has I
abundant means to provide for all of his
physical wants, yet ia his condition deplor- /
able. For attention without affection is the !
next think to desolation; if he be without .
means, then his condition ia indeed miser- t.
able. Such at least is his condition if he !
his bedside. But he ia an Odd Fellow. He {
- no longer a stranger in a strange land. J
The horrible vision vanishes. He IS a I
brother among brethren. He is at home.
The hands Of brothers smooth his brow. !
brothers minister to his wants. His hand
IS grasped with a pressure whose signif-
canoe he we'll understands, and though he :
may never before have seen these particular (
member of his household, they are 30 ia .
mlllar with the family affairs and have 80 /
many "reminiscences TO recall that he can Z
have no doubt of their relationship. They
are SO tender and affectionate, 80 replete d
with facts of the family characteristics.
that he gladly and confidently puts himself !
In their hands. He knows that they are .
tried and true, and that it he dies they will :
accompany his remains to their last resting {
place. He confldes to them his most secret +
and cherished wishes. and sends messages
to his loved ones in other lands. If he +
leaves a family he knows that they will not !
suffer, for these brothers will regard it az a a
sacred duty to support and educate those !
who may survive him.. This is not 4 fancy
The reality ia observed daily, The {
sick are visited; the dead are =
the surviving are cared j
for; the orphans are edncata a
Such are some of the CONCENTRATIONS in t
which we indulge upon the occasion of the c
anniversary of the institution y
OF Odd Fellows in Montana. The facts !
heretofore stated show that the progress of
Odd Fellowship in this Jurisdiction has a
been very gratifying. Let us maintain the +
reputation which our order has alresd es- l
for good works. Let us show to =
the community that integrity and benevo- \
!ence are the peculiar traits of an ODD Eel {
low. Let us guard our doors in the admis- o
SION OF applicants and 30 preserve the purity I
OF character in the lodge and 80 promptly
ourselves of the unworthy. when +
aver any such are found among us, that We .
snail demonstrate as a truth, that which wa -
teach at our altara. TINT IA ,aruor ~, -