The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-06
Annual Meeting Of the Grand
Body Today.
Odd Fellows Hall the Scene OF Con.
siderable Activity.
Reports of the Grand Patriarch and
Grand Scribe Officers Elected.

The 47th annual meeting OF the Grand
!, Encampment of Odd Fellows of the state
was held in Odd Fellows Hall, Weybosset
street, beginning at 10 o'clock this
morning, when about one hundred and
fifty past chief patfiarchs, representing
>; the various encampments, were present.
Grand Patriarch Joseph Cough presided.
After certain formalities OF opening, about
sixteen new members we're admitted and
instructed and then the reports OF officers
were presented.
Grand Patriarch's Report.
Patriarchs- meet today under sor-
rowful circumstances. He TO whom one
year ago was intrusted the general super
vision of the patriarchal branch OF our
order throughout this Jurisdiction, has
bean called from this terrestrial sphere
and has joined the "great majority"
few months after Grand Patriarch Crigh-
ton had entered upon the
duties of his office, he was pros
Grated with illness, from the nature
of which we had little hopes OF his re-
covery. He gradually failed until tired
Nature became exhausted, when he
yielded up his life at his home in this
city, on the 2Sth day of November, 1894.
His funeral was solemnized on Sunday,
Dec 2, 1894, in Unity Hall, South Provi-
dence, under the auspices OF Unity
Lodge, No. 20, j. o. o. f., of which he was
an honored member, aud was attended oy
a large concourse OF sorrowing friends
and brethren.
Seventeen years have elapsed since the
occurrence of the death of grand patri-
arch while in office, in this jurisdiction,
and while we bow with submission to the
<,f ho
but feel that in the death of the late chief
executive of the encampment branch our
ordsr has met with a loss which has been
keeniy felt by the entire membership.
BY the demise of the grand patriarch,
and in accordance with the constitutional
law of this Grand Encampment, the re-
sponsibilties OF this Office devolved upon
the Grand High Priest.
By reason OF this mournful event, this
report must of necessity lack that COM
pleteness it might otherwise have had
From the memorandum kept by Grand
Patriarch Creighton, 1 am enabled TO sub
nit the following report Of the work per-
formed by him:
March s, 1894, / issued the anniversary
proclamation:
ssThe following encampments were
officially visited: June 10. Uncas;
June "a, Mantle; July 8, Weetamoe;
July 16 Palestine; July 2I, Massatuxet;
August 3, Aquidneck; Aug. g.,
Awashonks; August %, Wampsnoag."
During the illness of the grand patri-
arch, and since assuming the duties OF
this Office, have, in company with one or
more of the grand representatives and
other officers OF the Grand Encsmp-
ment, officially visited the following
Fraternity, Blackstone, Manchester,
Minnehaha, Plymouth, Narragansett,
Woonasquatucket, Mazcppa. In each
instance we were received most cordially.
The patriarchai branch OF our order APP
pears to lie under a deep lethargy which
will require q great effort to overcome.
As one result of this inactivity we are
obliged to again chronicle a numerical
decrease.
Patriarchs, there must be a reason for
al this, and 1 believe this grand body fully
competent to divine the cause and to apply
the remedy as well. Personally, am of
the opinion that the patriarchal branch
should be maze distinctively social, and
that 1t would accrue TO its advantage were
the benefit system eliminated therefrom,
or at least the subject matter left TO he
control OF the several grand encampments.
As this matter is 10 come before the
Sovereign Grand Lodge for action at its
next session, would recommend that our
grand representatives 10 that body be in
structed to vote and use their influence to
have the payment of benefits by the SUBJ
ordinate encampments LETT to the control
otttc various Grand Encsmpments.
The district deputies have performed
the duties assigned them in a jealous and
paihstaking manner for which my thanks
are due, and are hereby extended.
Since our last session the following es-
teemed members of this Grand Encamp-
ment have died.
Caleb Il. Allen, OF No. II; Jarvis II.
Arnold, Of No. 8; Charles +. ID. Briggs, of
No. IL; William Creighton, OF No. 12;
Silas c. Field, OF No. 6; Ira B. Handy. of
No.2; John Halfway, of No. 8; Thomas
w. Hedly. of No. 16; William n. Hill, OF
NOS; John S. Littleield, of No. s; John ID.
Pike, Of No. 8; George b. White, of No. IL.
would recommend the appointment OF
\ committee TO consider and report at
this session upon the advisability of this
Grand Encampment arranging, in the
near future, for an exemplifcation OF the
ritual work, by one or more of the en-
campments TO be specially invited Tor that
purpose.
Patrisrchs, before surrendering to my
successor this most honorable trust, so
unexpectedly placed upon me, 1 wish to
thank you, one and all, for the generous
support and encouragement you have
given me. During the brief period OF my
succession 10 this responsible office, |
have ondeavored TO the best OF my ability
to 40 conduct its affairs as TO merit your
esteem and appreciation. IL have failed