The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-18


To order in the Convention Hall of the
jefferson yesterday, at 12 O'Clock, by
Grand Sire Albert s. Pinkerton, the dis
tnguished head of the order. who is
resident Of the rourik,ling little city. of
Worcester. Mass His function imme-
dfately followed a public reception held
at the Masonic Temple, where the body
was welcomed by. Hon. Hill Montague,
Chairman of the General Committee of
Arrangements. the Governor of Virginia,
the Mayor of the city. the Grand Master
of Odd-Fellows in Virginia, a representa-
tive OF The Grand Encainpment of the
Old Dominion, and Miss Laura Beeton,
President of the Rebekah branch OF the
order int this State.
Not in a good many years have the
members of this order gathered il a more
hpspitable city than Tins. and not in their
history have the Odd-F'eilows had more
generous expressions OF welcome than
they have here.
A State numbering 1900 wearers of the
fratsrr,al emblem opened its homes and
its hearts to its brethren and guests. and
right royalty were they received Bus.-=
ness houses and residences decorated in
Tags and bunting. bearing the colors of
the nation and the emblems of the noble
order bespoke the glad greeting which
all the good people of Virginia would
extend Virginia's hospitality was handed
an open palm by her nobsest sons and all
. were made to feel that they were among
friends Bands divided time between the
rendition of Yankee Doodle and Dixie,
MY Old Kentucky Home and My
Country 'Ts of Thee
At the jefferson. The gerferal head
quarters of the Sovereign Grand Lodge.
hundreds of Virginia Odd-Fellows assem-
bled TO make glad the coming OF their
brethren from Maine and from California.
from Washington and from Florida. Here
the Georgia wearer of the three links
cIasped the hand OF his own-tine adver-
sary from Massa ctusetts and told MIN
he was glad he had made such happy
entrance into the capital OF the Con-
federacy. It was all a glorious gathering
of brothers in Friendship, Love and Truth
and seetionahties only made the dearer
the ties of greeting.
When the martial strains called the Off
Gers and members of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge into line on the Franklin Street
side of the jefferson at $3.50 o'clock yester-
day morning, Chic and Alabama linked
arms and North Carolina and Minne-
sofa stood side by side
cises of welcome were held, the visiting
brethren, augmented by the sisters OF
the Rebekah found that old Richmond
was more than literally represented by
her citizens and her public officials After
4ile welcoming addresses the sovereign
Grand Lodge repaired to the convention
Hall of the Jefferson. wirere the seventy
sixth annual session of that body was for
,nally opened by Grand Sire Pinkerton.
Every Odd-Fellow in Richmond VINO Is
mot q resident here is glad that this meet
ing is being held In the famous city py
the James. Words hat only express due
appreciation of a hearty, friendly receP-
ton have been heard. The brethren IRON.
afar are more lavish in their praise OF
the CITY and its generous openhearted
neople than those who live closer anu
have known Virginian hospitality.
At $50 o'clock. the Sovereign Grahu
Lodge formed a column of twos on FRANK
Ain Street. opposite the Jefferson, ano'
headed by the Richmond Light lnfanty-
Blues Band, marched to the Masonic
Temple. where the column opened. ana the
Grand Sire and other officers OF the ooN-
ereign Grand Lodge marched through me
lines of representatives and LED the way
into the hall.
Most of the sovereigns were in their re-
gala and the Grand Lodge room presented
a pretty and animated picture, the back
ground of which was furn:shd by the Ia
dies of the Rebekah Degree, most OF whom
were clad in light materials of the colors OF
the Order.
SESSION OPENS.
AT nrecisely 10 O'Clock Mr.. Hill Montague,
chairman of the General Committee on
Entertainment. wrapped for order and the
exercises began. Chairman Montague. who
presided over the meeting, made an intro
ductory address, IN which he said 1t gave,
him great pleasure to welcome the Sow
ereign Lodge of Odd-Fellows TO Virginia
He spoke of the tenets and objects of the.
great Order of Odd-Feilowship. which he
declared to be, the greatest secret fra
ternity II the world.
"Au Virginia is proud to have you
with u.s. said Chairman Montague, we
didn't promise YOU much, and we maven
much to offer you, but a warm grasp ol
the hand and hearty glance OF the eye
which will make You feel: that you are
welcome in our midst Chairman Mon
tague also welcomed the visitors on be-
half OF the 1000 Odd-eFl!ows IN Virginia
and he introduced Hon. j. TAYLOR Ely
son. who. he said. would speak as chalr-.
man OF the local Reception Committee ana
introduce to the visitors the Governor OF
Virginia
Mr.. Eliyson said Virginia was never
happier nor prouder than when she Vas Vas
entertaining strangers within her sates.=
He esteemed it high privilege to stand
before such body. and welcome It 70
the capital city of the Old Dominion. II
anyone at this convention did NOT have
good time. Mr. Ellyson asserted tfatit
would be because he did not let his wishes
be Known. He said his Reception com-
1nittee of thirty-fiye, stood ready to serve
their guests at any and all times. and
that they were anxious that all the Odd
Fellows Hnd their friends who had come
TO Richmond on this occasion. might go
away feeling a deeper love and effection
for the city and her people than they
had ever known. and convinced that
there vas more in the noble motto of the
order than. the mere words. friendship
love and truth. =
Mr. Eiiyson then turned and in a few.
well-chossn words presented Governor J..
Hoge Tyler. who made the principal ad-
dress of welcome, As Governor I>yler
arose the band played Dixie. and the
crowd aroFe and cheercd for several min;
GovERNoRts SPEECH.
- sGovsrnor.s sreech was full Of good