The times., 1894-04-27
odd Fellows Parade. Dine and Dance


The celebration of the 75th anniversary
of the founding of the Independent Ordef
of Odd Fellows was accomplished in grand
manner in Owosso yesterday and by fine
body of 500 representative citizens from all
n arts of this and the surrounding counties.
Considering the fact that there were 20
other celebrations in different parts of the
state, some on very large scale, the at
tendance was more than satisfactory.
The morning trains brought crowds from
st. Johns, Ovid, Lansing, Howell, Pontiac,
Ashley, Flushing, Vernon, Laingsburg,
Durand, Corunna and various other cities.
The visitors spent the forenoon in looking
over the city and the business places and at
900 formed in line on Michigan avenue
led by the city band, Canton Semper Fidels
Patriarchs Militant and the ST. Johns Can
ton following. BY threes following in line
were 400 members of the order, while a
large number did not participate. The line
of march was on Main, Washington, Ex-
change, Water, Oliver and Mason. AT the
armory where the afternoon exercises were
held over 1000 Odd Fellows, Rebekahs and
citizens gathered and the exercises were
exceedingly interesting. DR.. c. Mccormick
presided in a very able manner, introducing
Stsnley e. Parkill who in behalf of Mayor
Dawes made welcome the guests on behalf
of the citizens. He spoke of the different,
bodies, state and local, that had been enter
tanned and that Owosso was always ready
to give welcome and were made twice happy
by the fact that they always received in
proportion to what they gave. He said
Owosso was city filled with music-the
music of wheels i'm many factories. A city
of nature in its name, and city always
ready to welcome the men who in their
lodge work represented so well the common
brotherhood of man.
A. l.. Chandler, Of Jrunna, replied in
witty vein and pleased the audience. He
was sorry the mayor had sent substitute
but he was glad so good an one was found.
He appreciated the welcome but he
hardly knew for whom he was
speaking; thought he was in the
same condition as the dog which was sent
by express and after going part way chewed
off his tag. He paid fine tribute to the
order in closing.
In behalf of the Odd Fellows of the city,
Hon. Geo. M. Dewy gave a pleasant and
we'll received welcome. He told of the
growth of the order from five men in 1919 to
S25, 900 in 1884,. while in the state the order
numbered 25, 600 and 5000 Rebekahs. The
organization was not founded on new prin-
ciples but on the old ones of friendship. love
and truth. 1t was brotherhood-united
the relief of the distressed, for the educa-
ton of the orphan and the elevation of hu-
man character.
Hon. John Northwood, of New Lothrop,
responded making noble appeal for the
RebelSah branch of the order and the work
they had accomplished since the foundation
of their branch of the order by Schuyler
Colfax in 1857. He claimed that the order
was not secret order but merely an organ
ization with secrets. The secrets were only
few signs, grips and passwords and used
merely for protection. 1t was simply fol-
lowing out Christ's manner of work. His
chosen twelve he taught in secret that they
might teach better in public.
Rev. w. B. Matteson was called upon for
prayer and he earnestly asked for Divine
blessing on the work of the Odd Fellows.
Mrs. ID. M. Christian sang "Just as of
Old" elegantly and was loudly applauded.
Miss Maude Gates recitation "The Jiner''
was very appropriate, well delivered and
much appreciated.
Rev. ii. Renshaw, of Alto, spoke on the
purpose of Odd Fellowship, what it had ac-
complshed and what 1t vas accomplishing.
He told of the noble work of the order in
different sections of the country during the
distress of last winter-n0t an Odd Fellow
being reported to the general relief commit
tees. He gave many instances of the great
good accomplished in all directions.
Miss Belle Preston, of Detroit, recited in a
pathetic manner one of the Cape Cod stories.
She is an exceedingly well trained recitation
list and made good impression on the many
hearers.
Mrs. Chas Allen sang Dear Heart in a
superb manner and was enthusiastically ap-
plauded.
Gen. Willet, of Flint, commander of the
Patriarchs Militant was called upon and told
few good stories closing cthe afternoon
program in a pleasing manner.
The 500 visitors were then invited to at
| tend banquet served by the wives and
daughters OF the Owosso Odd Fellows. IL
was good meal, served In good style and
everybody spoke in the highest terms of the
effort of the ladies. The literary program
following the banquet, with DIR. Mccormick
as toastmaster, was one of the most interest
| ing parts of the days program. Speeches
were made by Gen. Willett of Flint; Otto l..
Sprague, Geo. M. Dewey and 8. II. Smith.
| The ball at the armory in the evening
was, In numbers, the largest ever held In
the building, and the evening was one high
ly enjoyed by the 150 or more couples on
the flcor. The dancing was kept up until
2 o'clock.