Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-15


fixed home Of one of Americas great
est orders. He said the subject as
signed him would require Che use Of
mass of statistics, which he felt it
would be burdensome to infiict on
his hearers. The Modern Woodmen
was born In 1888 at Fulton. said
the major. The records were in q
chaotic condition When he was
placed at his helm in 1890. 1t took
much work to get things in proper
working order. and now, he said,
without egotism, he could state any
Information desired concerning the
affairs of the order could now be &c.
cured in one moment 3. the head Of.
fee. The Modern Woodmen is the lar
gest order in America doing business
under one roof. The business of 1897
will amount to nearly eS.OCO,O0). A
little over $9,000,0 900 has been dis.
bursed since the organizations birth.
The supply department will ship out
annually supplies amounting to 500.
900 to $4,000. The order owes not
a cent. All claims are allowed month
ly. The general fund OF the order
has balance Of e279,O0O. Ou, Of
this the building will be erected.
He said 1t afforded much pleasure to
state that the directors had invited
bids for the building of the woodmen
headquarters and dirt would be fiy-
ing down on Fifteenth street within
fifteen days and the structure COM
pleted before another year has passed
around.
What Removal Msaus."
William jackson in response to
the toast, what Removal Means to
Rock Island" said he saw before
him some OF the men who were pres.
ent at the meeting of the Citizens
Improvement association when the
removal subject was first broached
He did not believe anyone thought it
would require such long struggle
to secure the prize. But il is all
over now. There will be no more
injuncsions; no more battles. 1t is
five years since Rock Island began
its fight. The removal means to
Rock Island that our hopes are
realizsd. largely through the assist
ance Of the citizens of Rock Island,
who have always been in readiness,
each and everyone, to do his share.
II there is anybody we are under
obligation to 1t is to the mem bers
OF the board of directors. They
have been true to the trust from the
first which the order cobfided to them.
There will be great aud constant
material benefit to Rock Island
as result of the removal. Mr..
Jackson said 16 OF the clerks are
heads OF families. One Of the clerks
told him that each family averaged
three. In 1892 the clerks numbered
10. In five years 1t has increased to
~. The Modern Woodmen has O men,
bership Of 100000. The day will
come. as Gov. Nortboott predicted.
continued the speaker, in the next
five years when the order will enroll
in its mem b0rship 100000 men.
requiring 1S0 clerks to trans
act its business. 1t means to
Rock Island increased population
a population which we will be proud
Of. There will be paid out 10 sal
aries In the head office this year $25.-
900. This will be mostly left with
Rock Island merchants. With IN
cidentals the outlay will aggregate
S2S, 900. No wonder Fulton fought
for the office. We wonld fight for it,
too, but not in the manner in which
the Whiteside village did. Be it said
to Rock Islands credit, sorry ss we
would be to part with ths headquar-
ters, we would let them depart in
peace, and never raise hand against
1t or throw q rock. The Woodmen
order pays out annually for postage
$1,000. The order cannot longer live
in an attic or in a cellar. 1t ha.
decided to build home, one that will
cost e75, 900. This is a gift TO She
city. Ii the ratio continues tho new
members taken In by this order this
year will be 6s, ,Oe0-equsl to
the population OF the three
cities. Mr. jackson stated that
when he learned OF the indigni-
ties to which the clerks in the head
office were being subjected TO at Full
ton his feelings quickened with q
desire TO liberate them. In Rock
Island they will find they are among
their friends. We will take them TO
our hearts and 20 our homes. They
are an honest, industrious and sober
set of citizens. They will add q gre. {
moral influence to the city. Sixteen
OF them are married. The citizens
OF Book Island NAV we'll feel proud
that they are with us and are going
to stay with us. The clerks Con- go
out on the streets without fear Of
being pelted with rocks. Instead
they will meet . cherry salutation,
and when they shake the hand of q
Rock Islander they can feel that they
are meeting q friend.
The states Emergency Dosy.,
Director j. N. Reece- who is adiu.
tant general OF the state militia, was
next introduced. He responded to tho
topic, The States Emergency Duty"
IL is severe task to explain the
states duty in an emergency. said
the sdjutant general. But 10 view
Of q recent experience at Fulton. he
could say little something on the