Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-05-27
Castle Hall Dedication.

On Wednesday evening last the men,
bers of titz James Lodge, No. 90, X. of
F., had arranged to dedicate their new
Castle Hall and with that end in view
issued invitations TO the members of
both st. Louis and Ithaca lodges. They
were disappointed however in the dedi-
cation as the Grand Lodge officers who
were to be present and conduct the cere-
monies, were unable TO attend and
the refore it took more of the form Of
initiating the new hall About fifty
availed themselves of the invitation eX-
tended and with the visiting Knights
from Stanton, Elk Rapids, Howell and
Grand Rapids formed a company which
from all Indications thoroughly enjoyed
the hospitalities of the occasion. Before
commencing the comforting of ranks,
Knight Geo. S. Aldrich, in behalf of ST..
Louis lodge, presented Fitz James lodge
with what he termed a former tried and
true knight, which was human skull
mounted on standard with the cross
bones placed in front, the whole enclosed
in glass cabinet upon which was a
neatly printed card bearing the follow
ing inscription:
Behold and see as you pass by
AS you are now so once WAS /.
AS am now so you must be:
Prepare to die and follow me
"A BRAVE X Z.
compliments of
St LOUIS Lodge. No; 40. X, p,
May %, lS9S.'
After the presentation of the above
the rank of Knight was conferred on
Jno Knoertzer and the rank of Esquire
on f. G. Torrey.
While these ceremonies were in pro-
gress, the Rathbone Sisters, assisted by
the la ly relatives of the Knights, and
who are not members of the auxiliary
lodge, had prepared a banquet in the
rooms adjoining the lodge room and the
guests were invited TO partake of the
sumptuous repast the ladies had pre-
pared. After all had been satisfied that
without the ladies the entertainment
would not have been entirely successful
several were called upon to respond tc
toasts, which they all did in most en-.
tertaining manner. Lack of space for.
bids our giving list of the speakers and
their toasts which we very much regret
The crowd adjourned to their several
homes in the short hours of the morn
ing, ali feeling that this had been one
of the pleasantest events of their lives
and wishing that many more such occa-
sions would occur. The members OF
Fitz James lodge are very proud OF
their new quarters aud well they may
be as their furniture aud furnishing are
the finest of any lodge room in the
county. A fine emblematic carpet
covers the lodge room proper, and the
furniture, consisting of the setees and
officers chairs, is all leather upholstered
and finished in mahogany, the reception
and ante.room covered with fine grade
steam and lighted by electricity through.
out. The lights are controlled by dim.
mer for the purpose of effectively using
them for workin & the ranks and as this
is the only lodge room hereabouts fitted
I'm this manner, many were the words
complimentary as to the efficiency of the
arrangements. IL. NJ Cowley OF this
place done the electrical work and II
does him much credit, All Of the fur
niture and carpeting were purchased
through Dean & Hollenbeck, the furni
ture dealers of Alma, and is assurano,
of the high class Of goods handled by
this firm.