The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-24
Visiting Lodges From Watson.
Vile and Sequel Unite in
the Ceremony.
VIEW AN IMPOSING SPECTACLE.
Assisted by the RebekahS, the Grand
Lodge Concludes the Day With
Feast.

SANTA CRUZ, CAL, Nov. 23.-To-day
was a memorable day in the history OF
Odd Fellowship in this county, the occa-
sion being the dedication of the fine new
hall of me order.
The entire city was given over the mem
bers of the order. There are 600 members
in the lodges of this city, and these with
the Rebekahs and members of the order
from the lodges at Sequel and jacksonville
made the streets quite lively. The mem
bers of the Santa Cruz lodges met at $3.50
o'clock this morning and in body
marched to the depot to receive the visit
ing brethren from the lodges in Watson
Vile and Sequel.
On the arrival of the train the visitors
were greeted with music and then the pro-
cession formed. 1t was quite an imposing
one, with the members in their bright re-
gala and with the gay banners and flags
floating.
J. C. Collins was grand marshal. The
procession was formed with the City Band
at the head, followed by the color bearers
and the lodges in the following order: San
Lorenzo Lodge No. 147 of Santa Cruz,
with banner; Branciforte Lodge No. 96 Of
Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz Encampment No.
3d. Isabella Rebekah Degree Lodge of
Santa Cruz; Martha Washington Rebekahs
of Sequel; Paradise Lodge of Rebekahs of
jacksonville; Ell Pajaro Lodge No. 90,
I. O. 0. F., of Watsonville, with their
beautiful silk Odd Fellows flag, and Sequel
Lodge No. 1877, /. 0. 0. F., with banner.
The long procession filed up the avenue
and on nearing the hall formed in open
order so as to allow the grand officers to
pass through. The beautiful new hall had
been decorated in very artistic manner
with flowers and ferns, there also being
many symbolical pieces of the order and
of the Rebekahs. The hall was crowded
at the time for the commencement OF the
dedication services.
Grand Master Gosbey of San Jose gave
the opening address, which was followed
by the opening ode from splendid choir.
Grand Chaplain West then offered prayer.
That impressive and beautiful portion of
the ritual, the building of the altar, was
conducted by Acting Grand Marshal
George t. Shaw, with C. d. Hinkle, +.
Burns, N. Knapp and Milton Besse as
heralds of the north, south, east and
west.
Responsive readings followed and Past
Grand Drullard, president of the building
committee, handed to Grand Master Cos
hey the keys of the hail. The grand mas
ter then formally dedicated the building,
and the dedication was carried to the four
corners of the earth by the heralds. The
keys were then returned to representatives
of Branciforte and San Lorenzo lodges.
The ceremony was brought to an end by
an interesting historical address by Past
Grand Duncan Mcpherson. The mem
bers of the order and their families then
formed in line and, to the music of the
band, marched to the carnival pavilion,
where grand barbecue and banquet were
held. The tables were handsomely dec
grated.
1t was estimated that about 1000 people
partook of the hospitality of San Lorenzo
and Branciforte lodges. There were 500
pounds OF beef and 300 pounds of pork,
which was barbecued in pit back of the
pavilion, besides all the good things that
were provided by the Rebekahs. The
hour was one of festivity, feasting and
social reunion.
This afternoon the Grand Lodge held
session and fifteen members received the
past official degree. The grand officers
who took part are: Grand Master Gosbey,
Deputy Grand Master J. P. Maher, Grand
Secretary i. L. Fargo, Grand Warden
Warboys. Grand Chaplain E. S. West,
Grand Treasurer B. c. Gadsby, Grand
Herald A. P Murgotlen, Grand Guardian
II. K. Pearce.
This evening the grand officers visited
Sequel Lodge, and the days celebration
closed with grand ball in the Pacific
Ocean House hall.
The new hall is in three. story brick
addition to the Odd Fellows building,
43x100 in dimension, and is one of the
tinsst and largest in the State outside Of
San francisco. Particular attention has
been given to the ventilation, which is
perfect. The carpets and furnishings har-
monte with the tone of the walls and the
painting OF the woodwork. Santa Cruz
County, which ranks at the head of the
list in possessing the largest number of
Odd Fellows in proportion to her voting
population, has every reason to feel proud
of the new lodgeroom.