Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-08-08
|. O. o. F. CELEBRATE.
Mt. MICA LODGE oeSeRvEs IT'S
TWENrY-FiFTh ANNIVERSARY.

xs Vs W H Ou1k1klxt<ll0 s
Mt. MICA LODGE oeseRvEs IT'S
rWgNrY-FiFTh ANNIVERSARY.
a Gala Day fsr sssth Parts. arand
Parade and interesting Exerctsss
Krns Decorations, anA = saccsssfa
AsAir ThrsasAsst.
August 5, 1874, Mt. Mica Lodge oil
Odd Fellows was instituted st South
Paris. Every year, or nearly every
year, since that time, the anniversary
has been celebrated In some way OF
other, usually BY an excursion. But on
this, the 18th anniversary, the lodge
made preparations for = more extensive
celebration appropriate to the occasion
and invited sister lodges Of Oxford Co.
to be present.
The various committees worked faith
Fully aud succeeded Ia entertaining the
visiting brothers In hearty way, entire
ly characteristic OF the order.
At $3.50, Mt. Mica Lodge, No. IL, and
Aurora Encampmcnt, led by the Mar
shall, A. ID. Park, and his aids, Geo. p.
Tucker and Frank Starbird, and the Nor
way drum corps, marched from the hall
In Market Square to the depot, where
the main procession was formed rs soon
~ the two trains came In, bringing Q
large number OF Odd Fellows from mp
and down the Grand Trunk. The pro-
cession formed In the following order /:
lst DIVISION.
A. u. Park. Marshal OF the Day.
Chsndlcr's Band. p. <. Robinson, leader.
Canton Ridgcly. No. l. Patriarchs Militant. Of
Portland.
Carriages containing members OF Grand Lodge.
Widely Encampment. No. 81. OF Norway:
Aurora EncAmpment, No. Is, OF South Paris.
West Paris Lodge, No. Is.
Mt Abrsm Lodge. No. 81. OF Bethel
Norway Lodge, No. 10.
ID DIVISION.
MArshars Aids.
Drum Corps, II. G. Howe, leader.
NJ Mica Lodge, No. IL.
Nesinscosi Lodge, No. io4, OF Buckneid.
Penacook Lodge, No. 10. Of Rumford Falls.
The procession numbered about 300
men besides carriages. The line Of
march WAS Pleasant Street to Skilllngs
Avenue, to Gothic, 10 Western Avenue,
to Pleasant, to Market Square, to High,
TO Porter, to Park, to Gothic, to Church,
to Market Square, to Main, to Stony
Brook Bridge; thence returning TO
I. O. o. +. Hall where bountiful din
ner WAS served by Mt. Mica, Lodge.
About 400 partook Of the bountiful
spread. Tables were placed in New
Hall, C. A. X. Hall, and In the Relief
Corps rooms so that there WAS ample
accommodation for all.
After dinner all adjourned to S. +.
Briggs grove on Pine Street, where q
stage and seats had been erected aud
listened 10 program OF many interest
ing things. Hon. j. 5. Wright WAS
and after fitting and grace
full welcoming speech, introduced the
speakers ss follows, after prayer had
been offered by Rev. II. A. Roberts Of
Paris:
Music Chorus.
Recitation, Mise Sadie barrows.
li-sory, M Mica Lodge, Hon. q. A. Wilson.
Music. Chambers Band.
Grand Representative, A. l. =. Pike, OF Norway.
Music, Master Ralph Penfoid.
Remarks, Hon. A. T. Herrick. Bethel
Nusic Hand.
Remarks,
Grand High Priest A. s. Kimbali. Norway.
Humorous Selections, A. y. Morse, South Paris.
Nu.ic Chorus.
Remarks, Rev. IL. A. Roberts
Remarks Rev. 4. W. Pierce. South Paris.
The speeches were interesting and the
audience showed It's appreciation by re-
throughout shower, followed
by excessive heat.
Master Peufold responded TO a we'll
deserved encore, and sang As though he
lad OF l3 years.
Mr.. Morse, as usual, was recalled en-
thusis sticslly, and responded with
telling hit upon the POSTMASTER.
In the evening there was band con-
cert In the square by Chambers Band.
Soue of the decorations for the occs-
sion were very beautiful. |. O. o. +.
Block was Hastily decorated with bunting
aud large banner containing the device
OF the order, and the dates 1874 aud
1899. Nearly all the places OF business
about Market Square presented decors-
tons with banners upon which appeared
the three links, and the words wei
come, Brothers"
l.. T.. Andrews store exterior looked
very fine In It's holiday attire OF bunting.
=. A.. Shurtleff & Co. had brilliant
displsy. Their gsrlspds Of colored cleo
trio lights upon the exterior looked es-
pecisllv fiue In the evening.
The residence OF Hon. O. A. Wilson
WAS one of the best examples OF deeors-
ton. The japanese lanterns gave the
grounds fine appearance In the even
ing.
Hon. J. S. wright's house on Pleas
ant Street was srtisticslly decorated
with several kinds OF bunting.
Along the line Of march were many
other houses whose owners siRuified their
LOYALTY to the order by decorations OF
many varieties. A. E. Shurtlefi's resi-
dence deserves especial mention among
the lis. Of decorations. IL was among
the best.
JUDGE WILSON'S HISTORY.
Twenty-Five years ago to-day Mount
Mica Lodge, No. IL, l. o. D. f., was In
stituted in this village, and the acorn
planted that has now grown into q
strong and vigorous tree, and which We
fondly hope, is destined to grow into &
mighty oak affording shelter and pro-
lection TO those sorrowing and suffering.
Quite q number Of the then young
citizens OF the town, attracted by the
grand principles Of the order, and hav-
ing known Of some Of Its deeds OF mercy,
which live undying In the hearts OF the
bereaved widow, the relieved brother
and the protected orphan, banded them
selves together 10 secure the establish.
ment Of an Odd Fellows Lodge here.
Having secured the promise Of charter.
several Of them went TO Bethel 70 join
the order and take withdrawal cards so
as to organize this lodge; and on the 9th
day of August, 1874, In the presence OF
the officers Of the Grand Lodge OF Maine
and the invited brethren, Mt. Mica Lodge
WAS launched on its career OF usefulness.
There were thirteen charter members,
and quite number were Initiated that
day. The exercises were held 10 Ma
sonic Hall, South Paris, where the meet
ings OF the lodge were held for the first
four wears of Its existence. The new
brothers were filed with srdor and
willingly consecrated themselves to the
lofty work Of the order. 1t was TO US
memorable day-one never to be forgot
ten.
Twenty-Five years ago! How lightly
the words fall from careless lips ant
pass UNDECIDED by thoughtless ears, but
how vast and wonderful has been theil
influence on the destinies OF the worlt
and the human race! Earth, air ant
sea. together with the mysterious forces
of nature have been made to do man.
bidding as IL they were things OF life ant
thought. The moral forces have dis
4 .,...S, a3v.pcod and the con victiOu ha