The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-27

The Odd Fellows of the city celebrated
the diamond anniversary OF the lnstltu'
tion of the order in this country last even
ing in a manner worthy of the character
and dignity of the patrons of the triple
link.
Queen City Lodge /. o. o. T. and Odessa
lodge, degree of Rebekah. on East Douglas
avenue, were the host and hostess of the
occasion, and they did themselves proud.
Six other lodges were their guests and
they were royalty entertained.
Shaw's uniformed band was present and
discoursed some decidedly sweet music.
The two spacious halls and anti-rooms of
the order were crowded to their fullest
capacity, and among these present We're
noticed some of the best people OF the city.
The ladies had a splendid spread of
cakes, fruit and other delicacies for their
guests.
The principal event of the evening was
the address of Rev. y. L. Harmon on the
growth and progress of the order. Mr..
Harmon made most eloquent address,
and showed familiarity with his subject
that was noticeable and commented on
very favorably. His speech was chuck
full condemnation.
Ouo Zimmerman favored the audience
with whistling solo of more than ordl-
harry merit.
]. Z. McMillen recited poem on Odd
Fellowship that reflected much credit on
that gentleman as "A resder.
Miss Lot,le Parsons rrcited "tbe Snorer"
and 1.-The Chieftain's Daughter" in high
ty artistic manner.
A fine attraction was the dance by little
Edna Shaw.
CAPTAIN Burgess made a short address
that was met with hearty reception.
The regular program ended with an able
and interesting defamation by Hon. JOS
sph Rosenthal of Santa Fe, Kansas.
The old folks went home about IL O'Clock
but the young people danced to their
hearts content till l o'clock. About GOO
persons were present.
HISTORY OF THE ORDER
Seventy five years ago, on April 26, 1919.
there met at the house of William LuptoD,
The Sign of the Seven Stars," on Second
street in the city of Baltimore, a sextet,e
Of men who were the first members Of the
order of Odd Fellows in America. The
Iign of the seven stars was suspicious, Tor
avery star was lucky one, and from that
little gathering there have flown results
Of worldwide significance and importance
The six men who met in the house were
William Luptou, Thomas Wildey, John
Duncan, john Cheatham, John WEIGH and
Richard Rushworth. The meeting was
held in response 10 a public Invitation ex
tended through the columns of the Balti-
more press. The original intention in the
organization of the order was to operate
On the ancient plan of self institution.
This plan was abandoned as the result
IF visit at the time from Past Grand
John Crowdsr of Preston, England.
Washington lodge No. 1, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, had been establish
ed short time before this visit by the
gentlemen mentioned above. The duke of
York's lodge, Preston Manchester
Unity" by virtue of undisputed powers
granted dlspensation to Washington
lodge No. l, of t6is country, but as this
dispensation was received some time after
the establishment of the Washington
lodge No. l, though the charter from the
Manchester unity was accepted, yet the
order in Armerioa was kept separate and
independent of the order in England.
On Washington's birth day, 1921, two
gears after the establishment Of the first
subordinate lodge of the order, the first
grand lodge of state organization was
formed aud formally organized. Thomas
Wildey, who seems to have taken the lead
ing part in the formation of the new order
though William Lupton had issued the in
vitation for the meeting which resulted IN
the organization Of the order. was the first
grand master of the order. at this grand
lodge Washington lodge surrendered its
charter and in order TO form a legislative
body, received in return from the grand
lodge Il charter AS an operative body.
On Washington's birthday, 1926. four
years later, the grand lodge of the United
States was formed. The name of this
body has since been changed to the SOW
ereign grand lodge. The grand lodge of
Maryland surrendered its charter to the
grand lodge Of the United States. as Wash
Ia Il h.
grand lodge of Maryland. In return they
received q charter a state grand lodge.
April % 1925, the seventh anniversary
OF the foundation of the order, the reports
showed that there were in existence at
that time four state grand lodges and niue
subordinate lodges.
Five years later the number of state
grand lodges had increased from four 10
five, while the number of subordinate
lodges had jumped to fifty-eight, an in
crease in the five years of over 400 per
cent. At this time there were in the
United States only 3.036 members of the
Independent Order of odd Fellows. AT
l his time Thomas Wildey, who had been
steadily advancing step by step, had be-
come grand sire of the order In the United
States, the highest Office in the gift OF the
order.
Ia 1910 Benas B. Glazier, who was at
that time grand sire OF the order. reported
fourteen state grand lodges. 143 subor-
1inate lodges, all in the United States,
with twelve subord nate lodges under the
jurisdiction of the United States grand
lodge, located in other countries on the
continent. The order had at this time a
total membership of IL, loo.
The enormous growth of the order in
this country and the other countries in the
jurisdiction of the United States sovereign
grand lodge is shown by the report of the
sovereign grand lodge in January of 1892.
Tbi, report shows that there were in 1899
sixty-five state grand lodges, fitty-three
grand encsmpments Of the Patrisrehs Mil
itant, Q $50 subordinate lodges, SOB subor-
Ginate encampmeuts, 2,9l6 lodges of the
Degree of Rebekah.
The short change men had their trial
yesterday. +. Morgan WAS arraigned for
'oitrring and WAS released after putting
up SO for his appearance. Heironlmus
was charged with petit larceny and was
convicted. He WAS given SIS and costs
which all summed up TO $500. This was
paid and be was given his liberty.