Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-01-13
Odd Fellows.


On Thursday night last the Odd Fellow.
of this city, consisting of Staunton Lodge ii
and Fidelity Lodge Ito, united in a joih
installation Of officers, under direction OF
Past Grands VIM. Larner and Herbert j
Taylor.
No. As installed Samuel ID. Gochenour
noble grand; E. e. Hardy. vice grand; e
E. Fretwell, secretary; W. Nj. Simpson
treasurer; A. j. Livick, chaplain.
No. 10 installed II. S. Radcliffe, noble
grand. Prof. F. r. Webb, vice grand; II
d. Murray, secretary; D. A. Butcher, treas
urer; Il. K. Hackman, chaplain.
This ceremony, which was in the lodge
room, was private, and was ended by 9.3(
o'clock, when the doors were thrown oper
and guests not Odd Fellows were admitted
VIM. A. Pratt. master of ceremonies and
POSTMASTER. as it finally developed. Their
took charge, and appointed Messrs. Fret
well and Simpson as marshals to form the
gathering in double rank and conduct it to
the banquet hall below. where past grand
i Louis Cohen had spread the festal boards.
There were covers for 1875 B. F. Hughes
asked blessing and without other formal
ity the feast began.
After the banquet toastmaster Pratt in
troduced Mr.. Herbert j. Taylor. whose
theme was Odd Fellowship in Staunton.
Mr.. q. q. Wheat was next introduced and
read poem appropriate to the objects OF
the order
| Mr. Charles Curry next responded to the
toast "Odd Fellows" in speech OF much
interest.
The Press was the next toast, and was
responded to by Mr.. R. d. Haislip of the
News, and r. S. Turk of the SPECTATOR.
Mr.. Alfred Jaffe then sang solo Loves
| Old Sweet Song" accompanied by Prof.
| Webb on the organ.
| The next response was by Mr.. II. Dunbar
Murray, to the toast ITO the Rebeccas of
| the order"
| Dr. D. A. Butcher in response to call
| read the poem s'Old Shoes" in his usual
felicitous style.
The Stonewall Band was present and
rendered some choice selections, and the
presence of large delegations from Plum
kettsville, Churohville and Greenville
Lodges, added to the interest in the occa-
sion.
Judge Homer A. Holt Dead.
Judge Homer A. Holt died at his home, in
Lewisburg, w. Va, on Friday. 7th instant.
Judge Holt was one of the most prominent
men in West Virginia, and was aged IS
years. For two terms he was Judge Of the
Circuit Court of the Greenbrier District
When Hon. A. q. Snyder retired from his
position as a member Of the West Virginia
Supreme Court Of Appeals. Governor Flem-
ing appointed Judge Holt to serve out the
unexpired term. snd subsequently be was
continuously elected until he desired to
selve no longer. During a part of the time
he was president of the Conrt, and was the
peer OF any man who has ever occupied the
bench of that State. As circuit judge he
was without superior. His decisions al
ways told an accurate knowledge of the
subject. they were particularly free from
bias or prejudice, full of logic and sound
ly polite courteous and modest one could
not be in his presence without respect, OF
know him without admiration. He leaves
a widow and three children, one son, Jno.
W. Holt. is prominent lawyer of Hunting
ton who was a candidate on the democratic
ticket for the position previously filled by
his father on the Supreme bench of the State.
but was defeated by the Republican candi-
date Hon. H. q. Now horter, the present in
cumbent, the other son is business man of
Lewisburg, the other child is daughter.
Judge Holt was educated at the University
of Va, and then began the practiceof law in
Braxton Co., where he married Miss Byrne,
sister of Col. B. w. Byrne at one time Super
intendent of free schools for W. Va. He
was man of means owning large and
valuable tracts of coal and timber land.
He was buried on Saturday in the cemetery
at LewiSburg.