The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-08
An Immense Lodge Scheme.


Members Of the various secret and
fraternal societies throughout the State
and beyond the borders of Pennsylva-
mia are deeply interested in move
ment in Johnstown, the famous Flood
City, the like Of which has never BE-
fore bcea attempted and Is regarded by
those who arc familiar with it a. the
most remarkable fraternal step ever
proposed in the world.
II Is the purpose 70 have mass meet
ings in Johnstown Of all secret and
fraternal soeieties in Cambria, Somer-
set, Westmoreland, Blair and surround
ing counties on Wednesday and Thurs
day, August Is and l6 next. Arrange
ments have already been perfected for
the mass meetings, railroad excursion
rates from various points are being ar
ranged for, the committee on speakers
Is perfecting program, the committee
on parade Is arranging details for
grand fraternal spectacle and the mer-
chants and business men are preparing
10 provide attractive decorations.
Among the various secret and frater-
nal societies that are active in the
movement aud are working 70 make
the meetings notable successes are the
Knights Of the Golden Eagle, the
Knights Of Pythias, the Independent
Order Of Red Men, the HeptasOphs,
the Knights Of the Mystic Chain, the
Junior Order of American Mechanics,
the Ancient Order Of United Work
men, the Independent Order Of Good
Templars, the Sons Of Veterans, the
Grand Army Of the Republic, the
Union Veteran Legion, the Royal Ar
eanum, and many other similar sOcie-
ties. The executive committee having
in charge all the arrangements i COM
posed of representatives Of all the lOdg-
es and invitations 10 lodges in Indi-
ana, WestmOreland, Somerset, Blair
and other counties have been sent tO
the various lodges urging them to take
part in the great demonstration, not
necessarily in a body, but as large as
circumstances will permit. There are
scores of secret societies i'm the terrific
~ named to which invitations have
not been sent, owing to the inability of
the committee % secure the proper
names and addresses. It should be un-
derstOOd, however, that every secret
Il -e..saf,. fy,a -fafa. 4. fnxrffsa1
to participate, that il Is not necessary
they should have official invitations,
and that the cooperation Of any lodge,
no matter where located, i earnestly
desired. In fact, the committees rep
resenting the above named lodges, a.
well As those representing the lodges
not enumerated, would be pleased il
the press Of the State would tender
through their columns an invitation 10
every secret society man 10 be present
on the occasion Of the great mass
meetings. Pittsburg lodge members Of
prominence and influence have sent
word of their intention 10 participate
in the demonstration and similar ad-
vices have been received from numer-
ous secret societies in Westmoreland,
Indiana, Somerset and surrounding
counties, thus indicating that all the
lodges viii be represented
One of the notable featurs Of the parade
that viii take place the first day Of the
meeting "Wednesday, August 81, will
be that all who fall in line will wear
only one badge, that of red, white
and blue ribbon, upon which the word
'Fnternity" viii be printed Rega-
lias and parade uniforms Of all lodges
are To be excluded, to the end that the
parade may indeed he a fniternal one,
and thus impressive on the public as
well a. remarkable in conception.
There will also be a banner division in
the parade In the division it il pro-
posed that each society - disposed
may show its banners and eolors. Old
Glory will have a conspicuous place in
the parade.
The President OF the Executive
Committee, Mr.. Edward III. Bailey,
would be pleased TO furnish any infor-
nation to any lodge in the state that
may wish to consider the advisability
Of participating in the movement.
Any letters addressed to him at Johns
town, Pa, will receive prompt atten-
tiOn.