Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-30
nth ANNIVERSARY.
Odd Fellows from Stevens Point,
Plover, PittsvilIe and Nekoosa
Joined in the Celebration.

every train during the forenoon and
escorted the visiting br shern to head
quarters at Odd Felloss hall in this
city. Large delegations came from
Stevens Point, Plover. Pittsville and
Nekoosa-in all about 400 people. The
business houses were all suitably
decorated with flags, bunting and ever
green's.
The main street was spanned in two
places-near the city hall with an arch
Of evergreens and bunting from which
was suspended the word Welcome"
and the three links; also across from
the post-ofice. These decorations were
fine, pretty and in good taste the work
of local artists.
LINE OF MARCH.
AT 2:30 O'Clock in the afternoon the
procession was formed at the Opera
house, under the direction of A. B.
Crawford, with Twin City Band in the
lead followed by Patriarchs Militant,
members of Stevens Point Lodge,
Plover members and lodge of Rebekahs,
Nekoosa members, Pittsville members,
then the local lodge members. Thus
organized they paraded the principal
streets of both cities
OPERA HOUSE.
At $50 o'clock the anniversary
exercises were held in the opera
house DR.. G. F. Witter, Noble Grand,
presiding. After an opening selection
by the band, Mr.. J. W. Cochran was
introduced to the audience and welcom-
ed the visiting brethren in his usual
easy and pleasing manner. He referred
to the early history of the order in the
twin cities and reviewed it with interest
to his hearers. His remarks were
appropriate and fitting to the occasion
and were we'll received. The Italian
string orchestra then supplied one of
their choice selections after which the
regular annual ritual service was carried
out.
Rev. j. W. Fisher, Grand Chaplain.
was present and delivered one of his
forcible addresses with telling effect.
He is very easy and pleasing talker
and his address left a favorable
impression with everyone The M. E.
Church choir lead by Mr.. Chas. F.
kellogg rendered several selections
during the afternoons program which
were we'll received.
The opera house wa. artistically deco
rated for this occasion in good taste,
with evergreens, flags, bunting and
pyramid of flowers adorned the center
Of the stage. The afternoon exercises
were instructive, entertaining and
pleasing throughout
PoMAINvILLE HALL.
At the close of the afternoon exercises
the Odd Fellows, their wives, daughters
and sweethearts repaired to the Pomain-
vile hall, Centralia, where a banquet
was given them. DIR. Wltter was
toastmaster and called upon several of
the visiting brethren who responded to
subjects assigned them. This part of
GIIC udgo Ndo dulOuS Gll6 ulOSG
enjoyable and everyone present appear
ed to make the most of the occasion.
The refreshments were excellent and
many compliments we've paid the ladies
who had charge of this part of the
days doings.
DANCE AT OPERA HOUSE.
1t was just nine o'clock p. m. when
an orchestra of ten pieces selected from
the Twin City Band struck up accord
ant musical sounds in the Opera House.
which announced the beginning of the
end of this merry celebration event.
The crowd that came to take turn in
the tempting maze of the dance was
very large merchandising Isl
couples, besides gallery and stage we'll
filled with spectators. The grand
march was headed by the Patriarchs
Militant, Of Stevens Point, in full dress
uniform, under command of Captain
B. H. Kohorn. They executed a
number of sword and military drill
movements while on the advance, and
the extended line of followers wound
around and about the hall in measured
step forming many pretty pictures for
the onlooker. '''Twas a long, majestic
march"
Twenty-four numbers were on the
dance program and the 18th Ami
versary of Odd Fellowship had spent
itself we'll into Tuesday morning before
was heard that restful tune ''Home
Sweet Home" A midnight supper
was served at the ice cream parlors of
Geo. W. Davis. The Stevens Point and
Plover lodges departed for home by
special train at 1:40, speaking good
words for our cities and our citizens,
the members of I. O. O. F. No. 81, and
especially praising the work of the
several committees who had in charge
the decorations, entertainment and
general arrangements Of this celebra-
ton.
A word of commendation must be
given to the boys of our cities who have
membership in the Band for the
splendid service rendered. Their first
appearance under the present organi-
zation was praiseworthy one and the
music given was what is termed in
common parlance "all right" This
good word includes the orchestra
efforts in the evening as well. It is
| hoped that this musical COMPANY will