The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14
ODD FELLOWS TO MEET
GATHERING OF THE PATRIARCHs
MILITANT THIS WEEK.
Grand Encampment VIII Also BE in
sessiOn-Points from Mr.. Boz
dimes Report.

Council of the Patrfarchs Militant, the mill
tary order of Odd Fellows will be held in
the Grand Lodge Hall tomorrow and on
Tuesday the Grand Encampment will be
held. Monday night the Patrlarchs Mill
tant will have a banquet and Tuesday night
there will be a public meeting in the Grand
Lodge Hall in celebration of the fftieth an
niversary of the organization of the Grand
Encampment of Indiana Addresses will
be made by prominent members of the or
der, and there will also be musical numbers.
J. Z. Bodine, of this city, is department
commander of the Patriarchs Militant, and
will preside at to-morrow's session Of the
council. His annual report will be the chief
feature of the days proceedings. He has
held his present position five consecutive
years. In his report he says that he per-
sonaly instituted a new canton at Lebanon
known as Boone Canton, in which work he
was assisted by his staff, under command
Of Col. w. H. Leedy and Canton No. AZ
under Maj A. L. Strong. The new canton
started out strong in numbers and with a
good hail. The department commander be-
leves it viii always be a pride to the order.
He also reports that a new canton is or
ganizing at NOblesville.
The report states that during the past
year the department commander has con-
ferred the decoration of chivalry upon the
following persons: Hattie Munder, Peru;
J. D. Allison, Logansport; Rudolph Berndt,
LoganspOrt; Barbara Henka, Logansport;
Brookfeld Gard, Fort Wayne; H. r. Wyson.
MunCie; John Springman, Charlottesville;
c. L. Langjahre, Lebanon, and Mary Frank
Boone county.
Attention is called by department COM
mander BOdine to the celebration of April
rs as the anniversary of the order He ex-
presseA hope that each canton will here
Lob no dow
manner. He also requests that Odd Eel
lows decoration day be more strictly adj
hered to and honored.. word is also said
in behalf of the Odd Fellows Talisman
the fraternal journal of the order, and the
report concludes by thanking everybody
with whom the department commander had
assistance
GRAND ENCAMPMENT.
J. Z. Bodine is also grand patriarch, and
will preside at Tuesdays sessions of the
Grand Encampment. This is an important
meeting and it is expected that large num-
Der Of officers and delegates, as well as
visitors, will be present. The Grand En-
campment is nearly fifty years old. At the
meeting of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows
of the United States held in September, 1S47
a charter was granted for the Grand En-
campment of Indiana, to have headquarters
at indianapolis. The Grand Encampment
Deputy j. f. Chapman. There are now GIG
lodges in the State and a membership Of
10 6y5.
Grand Patriarch Bodine will say in his re-
port that three special dispensations have
been issued during the year, and will recon-
mend that charters be issued in place of the
dispensationS. These are held at Pennville.
Williamsport and Boswell. At Shipshewana
there are seven patriarchS who want an en-
campment, and the grand patriarch refers
the matter to the Grand Encampment. The
charter of the encampment at jamestown
a Ian nm Etah Nhara rr111aka
of encampmentS which are delinquent and
there may be several charters revoked If
dues are not paid. Several charters were re-
fused by the grand patriarch because he
believed the number of members and equip
ment at hand not sufficient to justify the
issuance of charters. The names of the
places are not given, in order that the
cesSOr to the present grand patriarch may
not be prejudiced in case he should think
differently. EncampmentS at Oakland City
and Zionsville were resuscitated during the
year.
The report speaks tenderly of the resigna-
ton and death of Grand Treasurer John
Reynolds. On June ID he rendered his resig-
nation on account of his i'll health, and in
few days after its acceptance his death
occurred. A. G. Daily was appointed as the
successor of Mr.. Reynolds.
AT another place in the report the subordi-
nate encampmentS are criticised for collect
ing too much mileage in expenses for dele
gates. -Four encampments last year asked
for 400 miles more than they were entitled
TO. A word is then dropped IN the nope or
stirring up more enthusiasm for the good
of the order, and the report continues:
Il could not be true to myself or the order
should l state to you that the encampment
branch of Odd Fellowship in this State is in
excellent condition, yet it may be that my
ideal is entirely too high. Yet can say to
you in all honesty that believe patriarchal
Odd Fellowship in Indiana to-day is in ad-
vance of any other State of the Union
while we have some delinquent encamp-
ments. some still carried on the rolls that
are dormant and almost dead, some char
tiers that should be taken up, some where
iS oO
recognize the degree, others where the
ritualistic work is simply impossible without
the ritual to read from, on the other nand,
we have a large number of live, active
and enthusiastic encampments where the
work is given perfectly and the ritual UNI
known. doing the work with elaporate moor
movements, scenery and well-drilled teams
I'VE have others without floor work or
scenery but the ritualistic work is given in
such a manner as to make a deep and last
ing impression upon the candidates; announcer
class that is composed of splendid men ana
them; another, the dormant encampInent
If some one would give his time and en-
thusiasm it would be no trouble TO place
This | know from experience. Eagle En-
campment is a good example for you;
The wish I have is that | could have
commenced year ago with the knowledge
of what is needed so badly in the State as
it stands out before me to-day. yet IN years r.
to come / shall never relax my interest III
this branch of the order.
A BRIGHT OUTLOOK.
Ahead of us we have many things to,
encourage. The financial affairs of the
country are brighter. The reduction of fees
in the subordinate lodge has brought many
young men into the order. All they need
is to he encouraged and looked after little
and they will become good encampment
members, at the same time explaining to
them the patriarch militant degree that lies
beyond. with it's drill and display that all
young men love and even the older ones en-
JOY. Yet they must pass through the en-
Campment degree before reaching IT, Let us
drown the constant croalxer that is always
saying to others, Nothing worth having
above the third degree with the many
good things we have to tell OF the encamp-
ment and patriarch militant degrees.
The financial muddle in which the Grand
Lodge L o. o. F. found itself upon the death
of Grand Secretary B. f. Foster left the
Grand Encampment short by the sum OF
S526O This is still unsettled, and the re-
port Of Grand Patriarch Bodine turns the
matter over to the encampment for settle
ment.
Retired from the Stage.