Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1901-07-17
GRAND LODGE
OF ODD FELLOWS
The Session Opened This Forenoon
in Masonic Hall Under Aus
picious Circumstances.
SANTA PE WELCOMES THEM
Mayor Amado 0haves Speaks Hearty Words
Of Greeting to Which Grand Master
Homer T. Unsell Responds Feel
ingly-Business Session.

The four days celebration of the
| semi-centennial of Trans Missouri Odd
Fellowship and the sessions of the
| Grand Lodge of New Mexico opened
very auspiciously this morning. The
weather was ideal, the citizens had
| responded literally to the call to dec.
crate their places of business and res
licences and San Francisco street was
a sea of flags, bunting and streamers
eighteen out of the twenty-five lodges
in the Jurisdiction of the grand lodge
had delegates present in addition tC
representation from different lodges ir
addition to the delegates and the
grand officers.
The public meeting was called to or.
der in the pretty Masonic hall on the
east side of the Plaza at 10 o'clock this
forenoon by Grand Master Homer Il
Unsell of Las Vegas Hon. AmadC
Chaves mayor of the city, made the
address of welcome that was roundly
applauded. He spoke as follows:
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY MAY
OR AMADO CHAvES.
Gentlemen: On behalf of the citizens
of Santa Fe, l extend you a most cor
dial welcome to our historic city. The
gates of the city are opened to you and
SO are our arms and our hearts I well
come you to our hospitable homes. I
welcome you gentlemen to Santa Fe,
the City of romance and the mother
Of western civilization, and the mother
of western Odd Fellowship. 1t was on
this historic and charming spot that
your brothers established the first
lodge of Odd Fellows in the year 1851
refer to Montezuma lodge which was
established in the month of July of
that year. Among the rolls of tho
past membership and among your pre- s.
ent brothers you will find the names of
many of our most illustrious citizens,
many of whom rejoice today in extend
ing to you a most hearty welcome.
There is in this city an old ceme.n.y
belonging to your order which con-
tained the remains of many OF the
lnCst distinguished citizens Of former
days and among others those of Gov
ernor Bent the first American COVER
nor of New Mexico. The name OF this
great pioneer recalls to our minds one
OF the most important epochs of our
history. 1t is now over fifty years
since New Mexico became a part Of
this great American Union. In that
period, under the protection of that
glorious flag which we all honor, love
and respect our people have enjoyed
perfect peace and happiness. AS there
are so many young men among you ]
will relate to you legend of the old
Spanish days. When New Mexico was
first settled by the Spanish conquer
ors all the principal families that emf
grated here from Spain and Mexico
made their first home in this city.
From here they gradually scattered to
all parts Of the province and formed
new settlements, Santa Fe was, how
ever, the principal city and contained
the most inhabitants. Numerous were
the young men who would come here
to hunt for wives among our charming
girls. There was belief among our
people then that whoever would drink
water from the Rio Chiquito was sure
to return, to make his home in Santa
Fe. One of the first things that the
girls would do was to see that every
promising young man who visited the
city was well supplied with water from,
that wonderful river. Once having
t,.s'ed that water his return was sure.
The force Of this legend is as true to-
day as it was then and I earnestly
hope that every one of you will drink
water from our enchanted river in or
der that we may have opportunities to
welcome you over and over to our soil.
While you are here gentlemen enjoy
yourselves to the utmost and I hope
that everyone of you will carry home
pleasant remembrances of your visit to
historic Santa Fe. Again gentlemen I
welcome you and wish you most en-
joyable time among your fellow citi-
zens of the Capital Of the future Sun
shine state of New Mexico.
RESPONSE, BY GRAND MASTER
UNSELL.
Grand Master Unsell responded In
dignified manner and was also ap-
plauded. His address was extempora-
neous. The following Is resume Of
his address:
Mr.. Mayor, Gentlemen: consider it
a pleasant duty. indeed, to respond to
the generous welcome so graciously ac-
corded the members Of the great fra
ternity that have the honor to repre-
sent. -
The well known hospitality of the
western people Is a household word
throughout this great country of ours
it is indeed synonymous with fraterni-
ty, cardinal principle of Odd Fellow
ship. We feel therefore that we are
welcome. yea, thrice welcome. hence
we come not through idle curiosity as
do the sightseers and pleasure seekers
of eastern states, but as your guests,
your neighbors and friends, to share
your hospitality. We have come for
business and for pleasure. Business
first, pleasure last. While we are look
ing forward with no little degree Of
anxiety to our glorious jubilee. day af-
for t0yr1arroyu aud the MANY p001