The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-15
MARK OF APPRECIATION
captain James NJ. Nc Gowan The Veteran
And Efficient Odd Fellow The Recipient
of handsome Token of Appreciation

Oh I1anuSoIuc ohch VI AppEcCIdttOh
The most widely known fraternal or
ganization mar in the city is Captain
James NJ. MCGOWAN.
Captain MCGOWAN is a member o.
about haif-score societies of this kind,
but his especial hobby is Odd Fellow
ship. He is never so happy as when
working in the interest of his order, or
describing, with that earnest fluency,
50 peculiar to him, it's great benefits.
That Captain MCGOWAN is charitable
and efficient is a we'll known fact, and
that the existence of three of the
lodges of Odd Fellows in this city is
due mostly to his untiring and Jealous
efforts is also we'll known. Oft have the
members of these three lodges n of
others shown substantially their ap-
preciatiOn of his work and their high
regard for the man.
Last night was the regular meeting
night Of Wilmington Lodge No. 139,
I. 0. o. F. and the out-turn Of members
was unusually large, and each wore a
look of pleasing mystery.
The session was opened at the
lar time, and the usual business of such
a meeting commenced. When that
portion of the ceremony entitled the
Good of the Order was reached, Mr..
S. H. Fishblate, a past grand in the
lodge, and one who has been an ardent
Odd Fellow for twenty-five years past,
arose and faced the desk Of the re
cording secretary, at which sat Cap
tain MCGOWAN, as he has done regular
ly once a week, with few exceptions,
for a umb of years past.
Mr.. Fishblate then, in a graceful
manner and with much earnestness,
addressed Captain MCGOWAN and the
meeting. He spoke of Captain Meow
ans lon and faithful service in the
Order. and the spotless record, second
to none, Which he had made. Right
eloquently and feelingly did he allude
to the kind disposition, charitable ma
ture and upright and hOnest character
Of Captain MCGOWAN, and concluded
by presenting him with a "Blick-
nder" typewriter, as a token
from the members OF Wilmington
Lodge of sincere esteem.
Captain MCGOWAN accepted the gift,
and did SO in a terse banner, making
many touching remarks.
TIL business of the meeting was then
resumed and shortly afterwards an
adjournment was taken. Then refresh
ments were served and congratulations
showered upon Captain MCGOWAN in
honor of the occasion, which was part
ly to celebrate Captain McGowan's
sixtieth birthday, which was last Mon
day.
The occasion was much enjoyed.
Mr.. b. w. Dunham was chairman of
the committee that selected the gift
presented to Captain MCGOWAN.
A RECORD OR HONOR.
markaIble and unusual and interesting
career as an Odd Fellow.
He was born in Raleigh on March
7, 1888, and when the Civil War broke
out he joined the army of the COnfed-
acy on April 4, 1861. He was in the
battle of Belmont, November Z, 1861,
and at the battle of Murfreesboro was
mad a captain, a position which he
CALAMITY filled throughout the course
of the war. Upon the conclusion of the
strife he went back to Raleigh, and
then his career as an Odd Fellow be
gan. There he joined Manteau Lodge,
and shortly afterwards he moved to
this city and became a member OF
Campbell Encampment. About 1913 he
helped to organize Orion Lodge No. 81,
and in 1892 he assisted in founding Will
mington Lodge NO. 139, and shortly af-
forwards, mainly through his efforts,
Hanover Lodge No. 145, was started.
Later a Mr.. S. Biggs, once a drug
gist in this city, but who was then re-
siding in Rockingham, wrote him about
organizing a lodge of Odd Fellows in
Rockingham. Captain MCGOWAN went
there and instituted a lodge, whose per-
sonnet is now one of the finest in the
state.
He afterward went to Rocky Mount
and Wallace and help to organize
lodges there.
Captain MCGOWAN is a Past Grand
Marshal of the Grand Lodge Of North
Carolina and was the first to represent
Orion Lodge at the Grand Lodge. He
has continuously been in the service of
the Odd Fellows, and is at present
filling a position which he has held for
many years, that of recording secre-
tary of Wilmington Lodge No. 139, this
city.
Several times has he been a repreSen-
tative of Campbell Encampment.
Charged With Allowing Convicts to