River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-05-02
The Odd Fellows Celebration at
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Iltc WI
The Ellsworth Lodge of /. o. o. f.
extended a generous invitation TO all
lodges in Pierce county to unite with
it in celebrating the seventy-sixth
anniversary of American Odd Fellow
ship on Thursday of last week.
Although the weather was not
peculiarly favorable a large concourse
of visiting brothers gathered at an
early hour round the fine hall belong
ing to the Ellsworth Lodge and
promptly at three O'Clock P. NJ. the
procession was formed and took up its
line of march east on Main street
turning south at the Moody corner
and thence by the school house
grounds where it turned east again
and then north passing the house of
Brother Kimball who through age
and bodily infirmity had been pre-
vented from taking active part in the
celebration. Brother Kimball and
family were assembled on the porch
of his residence to greet the brethren
and the procession halted, and the
Ellsworth Band serenaded the aged
brother the Odd Fellows joining at
the end with hearty cheers for one
who has been Unidentified with the
history of Odd Fellowship from its
infancy in the county.
From the residence of Brother
Kimball the procession marched
directly TO the fair grounds where the
speech of welcome was given by
Brother Weld of the River Falls
Lodge.
The brethren then returned to the
hall where at five o'clock they with
great vigor filled the inner man with
bounteous supply OF good things
supplied by the good sisters of the
Ellsworth Rebekah Lodge.
Some idea may be formed of the
broad and generous hospitality of the
Ellsworth brothers from the fact
that a most excellent supper was
furnished for at least three hundred
people, the large theatre of the lodge
being filled with tables which were
reset several times.
After the supper quite a lengthy
program was presented and responses
made to toasts given by Bro. +. A.
Severance who acted during the day
as Grand Marshal, toast master and
general utility man, all of which
varied occupations he filled to the
entire satisfaction of every body
except the victims who were called
upon for responses to quaint and
humorous subjects, and they forgave
him because he was SO extremely
complaisant about it.
Bro. White was eloquent in his re-
Spouse to the address of welcome, Bro.
Ashley was humorous In his medical
response, Bro. Johnson severe upon
short folks while Bro. Haverlandt
gave him Roland for his Oliver in
reply. Brief statistics were given OF
the condition of the various lodges by
members of the same.
About ten O'Clock the speeches
we're over, the band began to play, the
boys and girls went round, the floor
was cleared and from that time full
attention was given 20 the poetic art
of motion.
Ellsworth proved itself an ideal
place for such celebration.
1st. 1t has the most convenient
hall in the county if not in the state
I'd. Ellsworth has first-class band
who never wearied in well doing.
Sd. Its Rebekah Lodge can't be
beat for good cooking and attentive
serving.
4th. Its brothers are broad guage,
generous and loyal to their order.
5th. Bro. Severance is host him
self and though he did excite the
fears of the visiting brothers lest he
should roll off his very fat pony, he
didn't do it put won his bet and
carried of a good many Of the honors
of the day.
If your correspondent has omitted
any details which should have been
mentioned, Mr.. Editor, please at
tribute it TO the fact that since that
supper he has been too full for utter
anee.