The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1899-06-29
ST. JOHNS DAY.
Enjoyable and Appropriate Celebra.
ton at Klrksvllle last
Saturday.

Masonic lodges the world over, and
wherever it is convenient big picnic
and celebration is held. Several neigh
borhood lodges usually unite and have
one big gathering. Kirksville lodge,
No. 1873, decided to do the hOnors this
year, and the announcement was hail
ed with delight by surrounding breth-
rem. The day was beautiful one, land
the lovely woodland, opposite Bro.
Coy's just beyond Kirksville, never
looked more inviting. From LOCO to
1,5OO people assembled early in the
day. Some annoyance was caused by
the Lancaster band failing to show up
at the proper time, but when it did
arrive and the folks learned the delay
was caused by a sick horse, all EXTEND
ed the fOrgiving hand to the boys ana
proceeded to entertain them with
kindness the must ,ians surely appre-
ciated. A large stand was erected
under canopy of maple trees and
seats arranged far out on each side
for the audience. Bro. j. w. Moore,
Master of Kirksville lodge, called the
assembly to order and delivered the
address of welcome. Bro. w. p. Prev
tit, an exceedingly bright Mason, and
mighty clever man, introduced the
speakers. First came Hon. Grant f.
Lilly, of Richmond, who gave very
interesting talk upon Masonry and its
foundation. At the conclusion of his
speech. dinner was announced. Spread
upon snowy linnens beneath the state
ly trees, was feast tit for We gods.
Spring chicken, old ham, beef, NUT
ton. salads, all kinds of breads and, In
fact, everything that goes to make UP
first-clasS Kentucky dinner, was
there, and bOuntiful quantities OF it.
Sweet-faced girls and handsome wo-
men fitted to and fro, determined
that no one should leave hungry. 1t
WAS a dinner which a fellow enjoys
not one made up of knick-knacks and
| CrlSIl, DuU COllSlOCCi VI w
lightfully prepared solid food.
Dinner over, the crowd again assem-
bled about the speakers stand and the
band livened up things by few pa
triotic airs. Rev. Ira Parton was ther
introduced and made fOrcible an(
eloquent talk, which was greatly Ell
loved. He was followed by Hon. r
Fl. Tomlinson, of this city. The biz
dinner evidently set well with Bro
Tomlinson, as we have never heart
him make a better speech than he dit
there. He devoted most of his talk t
the manner in which the Masonic fra
ternity protected the widows and OF
phans, and his touching words brOugh
tears to many an eye. We have ha
!, the pleasure of attending quite mum
Der of fraternal gatherings with Bro
Tomlinson and heard him make man
talks, but his address Saturday was b
far the best we have ever heard mad
, by anyone. Speeches on such Occf
sions generally consist i'm brushin
cob-webs off the moon and pickln
stars from the heavens, but none
, the speakers did this Saturday, cOnS'
ouently the cold facts interested tn
people and will have good effect ft
thefraternity. Bro. A. j. Pike ais
made an interesting talk replete wit
Masonic history and other entertainin
9 matter.
1t was the intention to have son
children from the Orphans Home a
: tend the celebration, but their scho
was not closed and only two pref
little girls could be there. The mel
bers of Kirksville lodge will alwa
v have reason to feel proud OF the day
doings, and we can assure them the
g visitors will never forget the kind al
. hOspitable way they were received al
" treated. II. L.
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