The San Francisco call., 1896-07-01
An Event in Forestry Looked
Forward To by Many
Members.
COMPANIONS OF THE FOREST.
The Ladies of the Order Will Lend
Material Aid to Make the
Day a Success.

Inspired by patriotism, the Foresters
have concluded that the Fourth of July
would be the proper day on which to hold
their annual picnic. The particular picnic
in this instance is not one in which all the
members of the order of the State will
participate, but one in which the members
of the many courts in this City, in Ala
media and Contra Costa counties and the
counties bordering on the bay will take
part. In this outing they will have the
companionship of the circles of the ladies'
auxiliary known as the Companions of
the Forest.
Some time in March there was a meet
ing Of the various courts and councils,
some sixty in number, each being repre-
sented by properly accredited delegates.
The delegates resolved TO hold u picnic
and organized for that purpose, electing
the following officers to carry ont
the objects of the meeting: J. G. Florence,
president; Mrs. L. Ticoulet, first vice.
president; Emmett Hayden, second vice.
president; C. H. Bremen, treasurer; W. H.
Logan, recording secretary; and J. ].
Cordy, financial secretary.
J. ]. Cordy, E. Hayden, Mrs. Attwater
and j. G. Florence were appointed COM
mittee on grounds and transportation, and
that committee, after visiting number of
pleasure resorts, decided that Glen Ellen,
Sonoma County, was the most desirable
place for the purpose of the outing, and
that is where it is going to be on the ami
versary of the independence of the United
States.
The committee having general charge of
the affair has had several meetings, at
which all arrangements for the event have
been discussed and adopted. There will
be q number of games, for which prizes
will be offered, and these will be awarded
to the successful competitors. There will
also be music for those who may wish to
dance.
The order of Foresters has courts all
over the State of California, forty-two of
which are located in this City. OF the
many circles of the Companions twenty
are located in San Francisco
The order was originally instituted in
England in the middle of the eighteenth
century. under the name of the Royal
Foresters." This organization continued
until 1884 when on account of the arbi-
trarv measures adopted by the supreme
officers a secession took place and a new
organization was formed under the name
of the Ancient Order of Foresters," I"
which order was introduced later on into
the United States. Up to 1889 about 500
courts had been established, with a mem
bership OF about $1,000, when another Sc
cession took place, in which nearly all the
courts OF the United States took part and
reorganized under the principles of Ameri-
can fraternaI societies under the name of
An n Of 80 A
This secession was caused in part by
arbitrary measures adopted by the Su-
preme authorities located in Great Britain.
The immediate cause, however, was what
is known as the "Color Question" The
Foresters of America, having refused to
strike out the word white" from their
constitution, the various courts were sus-
pended and remained so until August 15,
1889, when, at a meeting held in Mime
apolis, Mimi, the order was reorganized
under the name above stated and thereby
severed all connection with the old order.
At the session of the Supreme Court held
in Cleveland, Ohio, in September 1895,
the name OF the. order was changed to
Foresters of America.
The purposes OF the organization, among
others, are: The mutual protection and as
sistance of its members in sickness and
distress; the burial of members and men,
bers' wives, and the relief of relatives left
unprovided for by the decease of a mem
Der.
The primary object of court (by which
title lodges are named) is to guarantee its
members:
First-An allowance to members In sick
ness not exceeding 81 SO a week.
Second-To furnish medicine and the
services of physician without cost.
Third-To seek the comfort of members
when sick or in affiiction.
Fourth-To provide relief in time of ad-
yersity and distress.
Fifth-To supply specific sums for the
burial OF members and members wives.
The Companions of the Forest, or ladies'
degree of the Foresters of America. was
originally organized in California. and is
now established in eighteen of the differ
ent States in our Union. In California
circles are located in Alameda, Chico,
Fresno, Golden Gate, Grass Valley, Los
Angeles, Marysville. Mountain View.
Nevada City. Oakland, Ocean View, Oro-
Vile, Petaluma. San Rafael, San Jose,
San Pedro, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara.
Sonora, Stockton. Watsonyille, Woodland
and Yuba City. This branch of the order
is rapidly growing, and its membership is
composed of Foresters of America and
their lady relatives and friends.