Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-04-29
THE CELEBRATION.
The Odd Fellows Celebration.
A Grand Success.
Seven Bands Furnished Excellent
Music Thousand Visitors
In Baxter Springs.

bration of the independent Order
of Odd Fellows held in Baxter
Springs on Wednesday of this week
was a grand aud glorious success
in every way. The weather was all
that could be desired, the train ser
vice was excellent and the crowd
was here, not less than 5000 visit
ors being in town.
The specials from the north were
loaded down, while the regular
forenoon train from the east was
packed. Hundreds of Galena peo-
pie came in carriages and people
from the Indian Territory were in
full force.
The forenoon was spent by the
visitors in sightseeing. The parks
were viewed and admired and peo.
pie who never see a river except
when they come to Baxter lined the
banks of beautiful Spring river.
Promptly after dinner the parade
was formed at the city hall park
under the direction of Marshal of
the Day ]. p. Hartley and proceeded
east on Sheridan avenue TO Nickel
CHAN avenue, south on Mckeighan
to River street, west on River street
to Military street, north on Military
street to Sheridan avenue. thence
back to the city hall park, where
the program of exercises was faith
fully carried out. The parade was
over one mile in length. Seven
bands furnished music. and Mar
shal ]. P. Hartley, assisted by his
deputies, led the Odd Fellows
while Mrs. w. r. Archer, assisted
by Misses Nettie Doty, Lee Hogan
and Esther Harper led the Re-
bekahs.
At the park the vast assemblage
was called to order by the presi-
dent of the anniversary association.
A. L. Harper, after which the Odd
Fellows sung their opening ode.
The blessings Of Deity were in
voked by Rev. L. W. Foster, after
which music was rendered by the
band.
DIR. I. Z. Stryker delivered the
welcoming address, taking Mayor
Brewster's place. Mr.. Brewster has
been i'll for several days.
Mayor o. +. Allen of Galena re-
sponded in fitting manner.
Rev. NJ. E. Bramhall was then in.
troduced and made very pleasing
address.
More music was then rendered by
the bands, after which G. W. Brown
of Cherokee, Past Grand Of the Odd
Fellows, delivered a strong and
stirring address from an Odd Fell
lows standpoint. His address was
fine and we'll received.
The bands. of which there were
seven, rendered music at different
points in the city and Il was fine,
too.
In the evening the degree work OF
the Odd Fellows was exemplified at
the city hall by Kansas Lodge, No.
305, of Fort Scott and Franklin
Lodge. No. 400 of Mineral.
The Rebekah degree work was ex.
emplified at Cooper's hall by Fort
Scott Lodge, No. 2 and at Baldwin's
opera house by Banner Lodge No.
l31 of Pittsburg.
Everything during the day and
evening passed off without jar or
mishap, everybody had good time.
We doubt IL there was anyone here
Wednesday who will not want to
come again at the first opportunity.
There is no town in the South
west where people find 80 much
real enjoyment as in Baxter Springs
and the mere mention that some
thing is going on here serves to
bring thousands.
The various committees having
the celebration in charge have
everything to be proud of. Every.
thing was just right-nothing to
make people enjoy themselves was
lacking-and the visitors will be