The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-27

The S0th anniversary Of the founda-
ton of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows was celebrated yesterday in
Anaconda in a manner which was in
all respects appropriate to the occa-
sion. The Importance of yesterdays
exercises in this city was enhanced by
the fact that an epoch was marked in
the history of Odd Fellowship in Mon
tana-in Anaconda in particular. 1t
was the occasion Of the laying of the
cornerstone of the new Odd Fellows
and Masonic temple, whose stone crest
ed capitals will soon rise high above
it's unpretentious neighbors in West
Park avenue in this city.
The ceremonies incident to the laying
of the cornerstone of what will within
a brief period of time be one of Ana
conda's most magnificent buildings
were participated in by the I. o. o. F.
lodges of Anaconda and Butte. The
latter city sent to Anaconda a hand
some delegation, 700 strong, The COM
bined lodges of the sister cities took
part in what is certainly a most men,
orable celebration. Not alone did Butte
send her officers and lodge members to
lend additional Importance to the ded
ication of the new temple. Other cit
ies-Missoula, Helena, Great Falls,
Bozeman and the rest of them-were
represented at yesterdays eVentful ser
vices.
The celebration began early. The 10
o'clock train from Butte brought 500
added
half as many more. A most magnif1-
cent parade took place shortly after
noon, in which 700 men in uniform took
part. The procession was a grand
pageant Later the ceremony OF
laying the cornerstone of the temple
was conducted by the grand officers,
Grand Master r. w. Neill of Helena
being the chief figure in the services
After the laying of the cornerstone the
exercises at the Margaret occupied the
time for the balance of the afternoon
In the exercises at the theater Massena
Billiard, venerable in Odd Fellowship,
delivered an address which probably is
the greatest speech ever delivered by
an Odd Fellow in Montana. The cele-
bration concluded in the evening with
a grand ball at Turner hail. the most
successful social event of the kind ever
held in Anaconda.
Taken all in all the day was a glor-
ious one-not alone for the Odd Eel
lows and the Daughters of Rebekah
but for the citizens as well. Never in
the history of Anaconda has more
successful celebration been held here.
There have been larger crowds; there
have been more demonstrative eXer-
cises and ceremonies, but never has
there been a celebration here of more
Importance to those participating in 1t
than that of yesterday. 1t was day
that will long be remembered in Ana l.
conda, one which will be indelibly fixed
in the memory of this city's people.
The day dawned yesterday with but
scant promise of encouragement of fine
weather. The skies were gloWerinG,
overcast and gloomy; every indication
pointed toward a disagreeable day.
Happily, the weather failed of the pro-
phecies which, in the morning, bade
fair to mar day when all should be
bright 1t is true that hurries of snow
and a disagreeably cold wind had a
tendency toward restraining people
from leaving their homes who would
under different conditions, have partic-
ipated in the celebration. But not
withstandng the crispness of the air
Anaconda turned out magnificently to
do honor to her visitors. The throns
was plenty large-in some instances toe
much so. Had the day beamed bright
err the crowd would have amounted tic
a lam and a crush, with its consequent
disagreeable results. When all is con-
sidered, therefore, Anacondas people
and Anaconda's guests have cause alike
to congratulate themselves upon the
successful celebration which was held
yesterday in this city in honor of the
S0th anniversary of the foundation OF
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows