Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-01
A. 0. D. v. Anniversary.

Il. u. u. III. IlIIlJlvLllUllIlI.
Local Workman Have a Notable Cele-
bratiOD.
Past Supreme Master Workman
Tate, Of Nebraska, Delivered an
Eloquent Address to Large
Audience at the Opera House.
An Excellent Literary and Musi-
cal Programme Also Rendered.
Past Master Tate Speaks of the
History and Achievements of the
Order-A Reception and Banquet
at A. o. U. W. Temple.
The twenty-ninth anniversary of the
A. O. U. w. order was appropriately
celebrated last evening by the local
lodges Of the city. The principal eX-
ercises took place at the Opera House,
which was filled by members of the
order and their friends and relatives.
On the stage were seated prominent
local members, officers and the guests.
The stage was tastefully decorated for
the occasion with portraits of the
founder and organizers of the order.
Past Supreme Master Workman j. G..
tate, OF Nebraska, was the guest of
honor, and delivered the principal adj
dress, following a musical and literary
programme of high merit. Introduce
tory remarks were made by Grand
Master Workman Samuel R. Nuzum.
The Philharmonic Quartette, Mrs.
Flora Williams, H. w. Hughes, and a
vocal quartettd consisting Of Mrs.
Flora Williams, Mrs. PEBBLES Tatum,
Messrs. Hughes and Day, rendered Sc
lections that were all much appre-
ciated. Mrs. Ella Dillon Martin gave a
recitation in a natural and pleasing
manner that won her much applause.
Past Supreme Master Tate, of Ne
braska, was introduced by Brother
Frank Cruise. Mr.. Tate delivered a
very eloquent and pleasing address,
full Of convincing facts and brilliant
and forceful illustrations. The speak
er complimented the high quality of
the musical and literary portion of the
programme that had been redered.
He spoke of the A. 0. U. W. order and
referred to the time of its organization
thirty-nine years ago, when John Cor
don Upchurch formed the first lodge
of Mechanics in the town of Meadville,
Pa, with thirteen members. The
founder of the order never dreamed of
its possibilities and never thought
that it would be known outside of
Pennsylvania. John Gordon Upchurch
the speaker termed as the uncrowned
king of the nineteenth century.
Passing into something of the his
tory of the A. 0. U. W., the speaker
mentioned the fact that the order had
established thirteen camps in the thir-
ty-nine years of its existence. To give
some idea of the membership, he said
that a new column of a thousand men
could march down the streets of the
city each day for a year and not eX-
haust the membership of the order.
Forty thousand, just about the num-
Der of people in this city, is the num-
Der of families that the order has pro-
tected from poverty and want, and
LOO,OOO 10 pIC CoJdl IuIlbCl vi pCoplC
that it has protected. Although there
is not dollar in the treasury, as no
dues or assessments have yet been
paid, yet $4,000 have been paid for
the dead and $4,000 to the sick. This
order has 10000 men whose only aim
is to give protection to the home and
assistance to the widow and the or
phan in time of sorrow and need. This
is better defense to our country's
flag than standing armies and floating
navies. The history of the order from
it's inception shows that two million
OF people have been directly and in
directly under its control. If the Yec-
ords of every county in the United
States and of every province in Cam
ada were examined, not a single in
stance could be shown where any
Workman's widow or orphan had
lived in a poor house.
The speaker answered some of the
usual objections that are made and
have been made against the organiza-
ton. He said that it's death had been
repeatedly predicted by 'old liners"
yet it continued to exist for years be-
yond the time allotted for its decease.
Its newness could not wear off and the
order perish, as had been often prophe>
sled, for it had brought good to men
and could not die. 1t was made up of
manhood, honesty, integrity, heart
and brains. with the single purpose to
deal honestly with the public. Epi-
denies might threaten, but history has
shown that these cannot frighten or
shake the stability of the organization
Past Master Tate closed with a bril-
liant peroration and an eloquent ap-
peal to members to work with greater
zeal for the success of the order.
After the entertainment at the
Opera House, reception and banquet
in compliment to Mr.. Tate was given
at the banquet hall in the Temple
Covers were laid for about seventy
five guests. The committee in charge
was composed of one representative
from each local lodge, and they left
nothing undone to insure the enjoy
ment of the party. The menu was
elaborate, embracing all the seasons
delicacies.
The postmaster was Mr.. Charles
Brilles. He presided in very grace
full manner, his witty illusions to the
different speakers keeping the audi
ence in continual good humor. Sam
R. Nuzum, Grand Master Workman
e., irio aoltnd