, 1896-07-18
Laramie Lodge No. 2. the pioneer or

Laramie Lodge No. z, the pioneer Or
g~anization of Albany county, contin-
ued to flourish from the date of its
birth in a that surprised ever
the most sanguiEe members Of the or
ganization. In 1874 its membership
had grown to such proportions that it
was decided to organize a second lodge.
This was consumated on March 25th,
1874. when Albany Lodge No. Z was
brought into existence. This has
grown in power ever since. Today it
enjoys one of the largest memberships
in the state, there being SO Odd Eel
lows in good standing on the rolls. Ac-
cording to the last report of the grand
lodge, Laramie Lodge No. 2 has a
membership of II.
From these two lodges has grown
Wyoming Enoampment No. /, with a
membership today of SO. Another aux
iliary to the |. O.. o. F. which is gain
ing strength every day is that known
as Rebekah Degree Lodge No. l, which
is an organization made up of the
wives and daughters of members Of the
order here.
The Odd Fellows Of Laramie have
had a trifie more Of troubles to contend
with than has been their just share.
In the fall of 1894 they moved into a
beautiful hall in the Trabing block
which they fitted up in so magnificent
a name that 1t easily carried the
palm as the finest meeting place of the
kind in Wyoming. They were destined
to enjoy this honor for a short time
only, however, for on March 18th, 1895,
less than six months after they had
taken possession Of the new quarters,
the hall was destroyed by fire. Every
thing that the lodges owned went up
in smoke. including fixtures and para
phernalia valued at thousands Of dol
lars and what was even a greater blow,
every record and every valuable docu-
ment pertaining to the order was des-
troyed. The loss was irreparable.
Not daunted by this the Odd Fellows
have never ceased in their efforts to
prove themselves strong enough to
overcome the great affection with
which they had been visited and to-
days ceremonies shows how well they
have succeeded. Their new building
when completed will have cost nearly
$1,000 and will not only be a credit to
the order but an ornament to our city
as well. 1t may be added that there
will be nc finer building Of the kind in
the state, something that makes lis all
feel proud.
GRAND OFFICERS PRESENT.
Among the representatives OF the
grand and subordinate lodges present
were p. G.. NJ. R. A. Proctor Of Chey-
enne, P. G. NJ. R. w. Rich of Cheyenne,
Grand Treasurer Dillman OF Chey-
enne, Grand Warden J. NJ. Startzen Of
Rawlins, P. G. James Vidal of Fremont
Lodge No. II, P. G. Matthew Borland of
Lander. H. T. Witt, w. G. Messersmith,
Harry Brown, John Volk, John w.
Popp. all of Cheyenne Canton No. 1,
and also P. G. w. E. CcCann Of Lander.
CONTENTS OF CORNER STONE.
In the corner stone were placed the
constitution, bylaws and roster of
membership Of the following societies.:
Laramie Lodge No. 3, A. F. ga. NJ;
Damon Lodge No. 3. X. Of p; Black
Hills Lodge No. SO, B. of l.. F.; Lara
mic Lodge No. l, Daughters Of Re-
bekah; Cactus Loyal Orange Lodge
No. 2S2; badges of Laramie Lodge No.
4, A. o. U. W.; Hope Lodge No. l, De-
gree of Honor; Gem City Lodge No.
10. A. o. U. W., badge; Custer Corps
No. /. w. r. c., regalia; Buffalo Lodge
No. IA. l. o. o. F.: Rebekah Degree
Lodge Of Lander. Cheyenne Lodge No.
l, l. o.. o. F.; Laramie Lodge No. 2,
Albany Lodge No. 7. Wyoming En-
campment No. l, Wyoming Canton No.
l; copy of Laramie Republican,: copy
of Laramie Times; copy OF Laramie
Boomerang.