The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-05-14
FIFTY YEARS OLD.
Salem Lodge, l. U. O. F. Celebrates Its Semi
Centennial With An Interesting
Program.

Salem Lodge, No. 60, Independent Order
OF Odd Fellows, this city, celebrated its semi
centennial on Wednesday evening in their
hail. The audience included some members
of other dodgers, and number of ladies and
other guests.
The exercises of the evening were held in
the lodge room, in the third story. The WIS.,
itors were received by George A. Miller. Ivan
L. Hoff, c. H. Manning, James S. Baer, Jr.,
Basil Crawmer and Dohnea Nygren. B. F.
Grouse was master of ceremonies, and at 8. Is
he raped for attention, and announced that
the program would open with singing of the
Opening Ode, inviting the audience to join
the members. And they did, and the Ode
was perhaps never sang louder and better in
that room. Rev. P. H. Miller, pastor of
Grace Lutheran Church. offered prayer, and
DR.. j. W. Herring, who has been member of
the lodge for the past forty-three years, de-
livered an address on the principles and prac-
tees of Odd Fellowship. The address was
entertaining and instructive to those not of
the order, and he was given close attention.
The Doctor, as usual on such occasions, threw
in a little humor, which was much enjoyed.
Following Dir. Herring came part not on
the program, but was none the less enjoyed.
1t was q recitation by Jimmy Stoner, aged
seven years, son of Mr.. James NJ. Stoner.
The little orator spoke distinctly, gracefully
and well, and was enthusiastically npplauded.
His nertormonce was very remarkable for one
SO young.
A very interesting part OF the program was
a history OF the organization and progress of
Salem Lodge, made by a committee consist
ing of Rev. VIM. A. Grouse, John Bernstein
and Washington l.. Brown. and read by Mr.
Grouse.
Following is the chief part of the report:
First, we note that on the memorable 18th
day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1849, the
of charter having been granted
by the R. w. Grand Lodge Of Maryland a
deputation Of members from that honorable
body, consisting of B. F. Zimmerman, R. W.
G. Warden; G. W. Tewksbury, G. Secretary;
John w. Walker, R. W. G. Marshal, met in
the room of the Sons of Temperance, at the
corner OF Main and Court streets, in West
minister, when the following named brothers
who had previously been initiated into the
Order, by other Lodges, were organized into
a body to be known as Salem Lodge, No. 60,
|. 0. 0. F., C.. w. Webster, Joshua Wing
ling, John w. Durbin, Richard A. Manning.
G. A. Pool. C. \. Smelser and Josiah l..
Baugher.
Then an election was held which resulted
in the choice of Joshua Yinging, for n. G.;
Josiah l.. Baugher, Y. G.; John W. Durbin,
R. S. and Richard A. Manning, T., where
upon the ceremony of installation was per-
formed by which the elected brothers were
indicted into their respective Offices for the
ensuing term, Wilhelm those days-was
three months. Thus the organization was
and the good work begun.
Then, the names of fifteen persons were
l,o,,- { Il, AL
whereupon the Lodge resolved itself into IA
committee of the whole. and reported favora-
bly, on the application of William Wolf, John
NJ. Yingling, John Matthias and F. A. Sharrer.
The Noble Grand ordered ballot to be taken
which resulted in the election of the before
named candidates, all Of whom presented
and were regularly initiated, and
thus gained the right to be hailed as Odd
Fellows
Thus the work auspiciously begun pro-
crossed, and other names were rapidly added
TO the roll until up to the present time we
can count 525 names which by initiation, and
depositing OF cards have been connected with
Salem Lodge. OF these, 10 have died as
benefciaries, and a number that we are una
BILE to state accurately have withdrawn to
connect themselves with other Lodges more
convenient to their place of residence. At
the present time there are 10l members in
good standing on the roll of the Lodge.
Finding the place in which the meetings
were being held too circumscribed and in
to accommodate the large num-
Der of members who regularly attended the
meetings of the Lodge, it was determined to
provide more commodious quarters, which
determination resulted in the erection of the
capacious and imposing structure which it is
now our pleasure to own and occupy.
The Records do not furnish data from
which we can give report of the date when
the foundation was laid nor Of how much
time was consumed in the erection of the
house From brothers who were connected
with the Lodge at the time We learn that the
whole cost including ground, building, and
furniture was about SO, 900. In reference to
the completion of the work of building, we
find ourselves able to give more satisfactory
report, since in this matter the Records show
a definite and full account OF the event.
From these we learn that on the 9th day of
November, 1853, Joshua Fansant, G. NJ; w.
H. Young, D. G. NJ; Richard Marley, g.
T.; Jas. B. Escaville, G. s.; William G.
Sharrer, G. W; James johnson. Master of
Ceremonies; A. BossennaM, G. Herald, A.
Burdett. G. Chap; Benjamin Daffin, AsSiS-
tant G. Herald, did dedicate the Hall of Sa-
lem Lodge, No. 60, /. 0. 0. F., to the pur-
pose of Odd Fellowship. and the diffusion Ofthe
principles Of Beneyelence and Charity. The
expenses attending the dedication amounted
to the sum of Sl743 30, which amount was
covered less $3.50 by the proceeds of two
given by the Independent Blues
Band, of Baltimore city, of which Captain
Holland was the leader.
We find nothing else of u historical charac-
ter that we deem necessary to present here
until we come down to the Iii ght of April 20,
1894, at which time a tornado swept over the
Hall, carrying away the root and demoliSh
ING part Of the wall This occurred just
about the time the Knights of Pylhias, who
occupied the hall on that night. had closed
their session. four of the officers however,
were still at their desk who were saved, as
we believe, by Divine interposition from be-
ing crushed to death by the falling wall.
To these was gladness joined with sorrow,
and now we look upon, what then, we re-
garded as Il calamity as not altogether an M
mixed evil, for without doubt some good has
resulted from it, for in repairing the damage
a number of desirable improvements were
made so that we regard the building as more
and also more lasting. Thus the
Lodge feels they received substantial value
for the 81, 300 expended for repairs and i'm
of the house.
Now we come 10 give Il statement or the
receipts and disbursements Of the Lodge
from the date of its organization to the close
of the first quarter of the year 1898. In this
paper we give only the gross amounts ia each
case, referring any brother who so desires to
examine our itemized accounts.
The gross receipts have been 1857. O28:
Of this amount S. 94O so have been received
from other Lodges to reimburse Salem
Lodge for benefits paid to sick aud needy
members Of these Lodges placed under our
care. For our own sick and disabled brothers
there has been paid in weekly benefits the
sum of S21 ,O7924. Death and funeral bene
fits paid S1l, 55867. Paid to brothers whose
wives have died S1200O0. Paid as capita
ton tax to the Grand Lodge of Maryland,
So, 424 624.
At the close of the exercises, which ended
with the Closing Ode, ice cream, cake and
other refreshments were served in the main
hall. During the evening music was dis
coursed by the Westminster Orchestra, which
added much to the enjoyment of the evening.