The Washington times., 1894-04-29

gallant men and handsome women, many of
whom tripped the proverbal "light fantastic toe
TO their hearts delight under the inspiration of
the music furnished by the Marine Band orches-
ira. The entire programme from beginning TO
end was not disturbed by any break or inter-
ference or mishap. Everybody seemed pleased,
and the Seventy-ffth anniversary celebration
OF American Odd Fellowship in the District of
Columbia was concluded with credit TO the order
and qualification 10 its many friends.
The nestor of the order in the District of
Columbia is Colonel James A TAFT, who is the
Oldest initiated Odd Fellow in this Jurisdiction,
having joined Washington Lodge, No 6. Decem-
Der 20, 1863 nearly sixty years ago, of which lodge
he is still an active member. The lodge at that
time met in a room over Walker Il kemble's
stable, on street, where Havenners bakery
now is, and afterward room in the City Hall
was occupied, from whence it went to Seventh
street hall, its present location. Brother TAFT
has acquired distinction not only in the order,
but he also did active service for his country dur
ing the recent war and participated in several of
its important battles Previous to the late
struggle he commanded three companies of the
old national guard. For a long time he
was clerk in the Quartermaster Generals
Office, where he remained until appointed magis-
trate and notary public. which position he has
held for number of years. His ill-health pre-
vented his participating in the celebration of
Thursday.
Among the veteran Odd Fellows in the Dis
trict of Columbia is P. G. NJ. Daniel, who has
been a member of the order some fifty-four
years. He is still an active member of "old"
active interest," and is held in high esteem, not
only by the brethren of that lodge but the gen.
eral fraternity He is the popular and we'll
known music teacher in the public schools, and
was greeted by many of his pupils along the line
of parade
When the biography of Grand Marshal Thomas
y. Jones comes TO be written there will be
counted with distinction the fact that he stood
side by side with the twenty-fourth President of
the United States at the White House and re-
viewed the passing procession commemorating
the seventy-iith anniversary of American Odd
Fellowship
Quite a feature of the parade was the large
number of carriages which contained the officers
and past officers of this grand lodge, grand en-
campment and some of the veteran members
who were unable 10 march in the procession on
the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows
Grand Representative d. r. Stansbury, of vir-
ginia, was one of the well-known figures in the
line of parade, and was also present at the after
noon meeting.
Hon. James A. D. Richards, of Ohio was an oc-
cupant of the carriages, and was an attentive
the day
While some of tho lodges did not appear in the
parade as an organization, their members were
largely diffused among the other lodges.
1t is needless to say that throughout the entire
day and evening the members of the fraternity
deported themselves in a manner which elected
general commendation.
The radiant smiles which beamed from the
genial countenance of Grand Marshal Thomas j.
Jones as he stood in close juxtaposition to the
President of the United States as he reviewed
the passing pageant betokened the fact that
after all there are some compensatirg periods in
the history of the order for services rendered
Grand Conductor J. X. Dawson filed the ofice
of grand marshal of the grand lodge pro tenn
pc re on Thursday.
The anniversary ycommemmorating the seventy
fifth year of.American Odd Fellowship was duly
celebrated throughout the length and breadth
of the land on Thursday last in a manner ap-
propriately befitting this gracd historic event
In the city of Baltimore, "the cradle of Odd Fell
lowship,' there was splendid parade of the
order and the military, and among the speakers
OF the day was Hon. James G. Mcguire, grand
representative from California.
compiled statement of the important sew
enty-ffth anniversary proceedings throughout
the country would form an interesting compen-
dium.
The following visitations will occur during the
coming week: Ruth (Rebekah degree) Lodge,
No 2, on Tuesday evening, May /; Mount Pleas
ant Lodge, No %, Wednesday evening May 3
Doth IN the Seventh street hall; Covenant LODGE
No IL, Thursday evening, May 8, West Washing
ton.
Visitations will occur next week as follows:
Langdon Lodge,No. &c, Tuesday, May 8, at Lang
don; Oriental Lodge, No 49, Thursday, May TO-
Seventh street hall; Mechanics Lodge, No 49,
Friday evening, May II, Our hail." West WASH
ington.
The committee in charge Of the ARRANGEMENTS
for the anniversary is entitled TO due credit for
the complete arrangements on Thursday last
1t is due the editor of the column to state that
the full account Of the grand lodge visitation to
Central Lodge, No. i, was not an omission on
his part, but was crowded out at the publication
ofiice by reason of want Of space.
Fred. D. Stuart encampment was visited by
the officers OF the grand encampment on We'd