The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-05

twenty-five years is q faivly good
age for any lodge TO continue i.s ex-
istence from its organization and few
lodges on this side have such an en-
viable record. One there is which has
passed through many severe trials dur
ing Its life and is stronger numerically
and financially today than two-thirds
of its sister lodges of similar or kim
dred orders.
That lodge is Washington Camp, No
liS, Patriotic Order Sons of America.
In December, 1872, the camp was or
ganized by a party of men, many OF
whom still belong and are connected
with the business and political life of
West Scranton. Organization was eff
fected at Hari Carl hall on North Main
avenue. State President NJ. Alexander
state Secretary II. j. Steiger and State
Master of Forms w. L. Nunemacher
were present and assisted in the install
lation ceremonies. About thirty-five
charter members were enrolled.
The first set of minutes have Seen
mislaid and ii is almost impossible to
obtain accurate information concern
ing the first few years of the camps
history. Its first set of officers We're:
President. NJ. G. Branning, vice-presi- =
dent. II. G. Hinman, master OF forms,
i S. Fahringer; recording secretary
j. w. Lewis; financial secretary. D.
w. Moser: treasurer. J. II. Mills
paugh conductor, ]. NJ. Schenck. in
spector, Lewis Moser: outside guard
Alfred Klotz; trustees. John w.
Coons, II. G. Hinman and D. w. Moser.
CHARTER MEMBERS.
Among the charter members in ad-
dition to the above officers were J.
f. Wood, G. Allspaugh. s. S. Goodrich
Thomas Houser, Morgan Lesser. Rich
ard Brader, F. Washburn, James Barr,
r. II. Cook, August Reed and J. p.
Hausman. Out Of the charter MEM
bers who still live here, six are ac-
tive members of the camp. They are
II. G. Hinman, Thomas Houser, u. W.
Moser. Alfred Klotz, G.. Allspaugh and
August Reed. d. w. Moser was treas
urer with the exception of the first
term and last two terms. John w
CoonS died while still q member in
1886.
During its existence the camO has
frequently figured in public affairs of
different kinds. One thing the camp
did which is fondly remembered by
those who are members now. When
the camp was about seven years old
disaster overlook it and it's elimination
seemed certain, II. c. Hinman, j. w.
Coons. A. w. klotZ. D. w. Moser and
few others practically kept 1t alive
for over a year. In sheer despera-
tion an issue of bonds was made These
bonds We're rated at seven per cent.
and the difficulty was settled.
Today the camp is worth in the ag-
gregate $4,000, over and above its or
dinary running expenses. This valu-
alton is classified as follows: Real es-
tate, $3,400; building and loan shares,
$1,000 camp paraphernalia, 500; bal
ance in treasury at last report, $500.
This state of affairs is due to the
continued careful and conservative
management and efficiency of it's Off
GERS throughout the twenty-five years
of it's existence. Only once did an Off
Ger prove unworthy and that was when
treasurer j. II. Milspaugh, who was
then city treasurer. departed. carrying
with him much of the camps funds.
Up to September 10, last, 595 mem
bcrs had been initiated The present
membership is 270 and nearly every
two weeks a member is added to the
rolls. During the twenty-five years
the camp has been called upon to
mourn the loss Of twenty-three of it's
members.
NUMBER INITIATED.
ha al nf laanneaI