Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-06
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
Doing Grand Work in Augusta Where Il Is
One Of Most Popular Of Orders.

Augusta has always been noted Cor
the number and the prosperity OF its
fraternal orga nizations. and il has
been said that il is seldom that \ man
is met upon the street WHO is not n
member OF at least one secret society.
OF course the older orders like the Ma
sons. the knights Of Pythias, and ;he
odd Fellows. which were established
III the city long ago. enjoy vigorous
growth ana a generally prosperous
condition, but still. when Il branch of
some new fratesnal orcaniZa ton is in
stitutcG. there seem to lie just IS many
citizens DESTROYS of becoming members
of it as If no such thing as q secret
society existed in town.
One of the latest Of the societies
above mentioned to be instituted in the
city is Camp No. 7iO0. Of the Modern
WCOdmen of America. This camp vas
organized. Dec. -. 1859. with SO charter
members, and although but little
more than Il year old, it now has
membership of 90 in good standing.
with number of applications which
will undoubtedly bear fruit.
On account of ,the phenomenal
growth of the order. not only in .Au-
gusta, but throughout the State. az
We'll as the United States. many ques-
tons are asked relative to it and its
objects. Briefly stated. they are as FOL
lows:
The Modern Woodmen Of America is
4 purely Fraternal Beneficiary Society.
designed to extend practical relief to
:t2 living and substantial benefits to
the widows. orphans. and other de-
pendants Of deceased members The
society has n distinctive American Tit
nal. teaching the lesson that labor is
honorable: that those who live by the
sweat Of their brow are the truly in
dependent. 1t teaches the cardinal
Christian virtues. yet comes in conflict
with no mans creed. It cndeavoIs to
cxcfnplify mans brotherhood in its
b! oadest, most liberal sense. Its meet
irgs are valuable schools of instruction
in parliamentary law and usage. Its
camps arc social c-ntcrs. and III thou
sands OF cities towns and villages they
performs TIE functions Of the clubs in
;he met opolis. They are. BESIDES, agen-
cies for the extension of true fraternal
ro'ief-not charty.as the term is today
understood by the world.
.tll llitHiDtiS vi zig s''tANig Aiie'-7S ~
of good character and habits. of sound
physique and unimpaired mentality.
and not engaged in any dishonorahle
or disreputable occupation. man
morally or physically tainted is not
eligible to membership. The soci"tys
fraternal benefits are manifold. IT 4
member is in distress, it is the duty OF
other members to extend him relief.
If he is sick. he is cared fo". II deSti-
tute and among strangers he is c.othca
ard his hunger appeased. All Wood
men are called ''Neighbors," and neigh
bors they are in truth.
The order was instituted at Lyons,
Clinton county. iowa. Jan. >. 1885. with
q members. During the Il years 81 it's
existence it has grown steadily ana
thrown its branches throughout the
Union. until. at the last report, Jan. l.
1901, there was q total membership OF
GCS. I61. while the total number of local
camps was $3.50. The total insurance III
force on that date was 1868. l53,aoo ana
the total amount paid during the /.
years was 1857 .2i9.3o.
No other society has as many of
Americas sturdy yeomen enlisted IL
it's ranks. It is the favorite society OF
the farmers. and yet it is most popu-
lar with the best classes of the cities.
Being popular with the people 1T mas
attracted to it's ranks the leading pup
lie men of America. Hon. VIM. j. irN-
m is 4 distinguished member of Wood
craft and has been delegate to lts
! national conventions. The Hon. George
d. Meil1lejohn, assistant secretary OF
war. is another earnest advocate OF
| Woodcraft.
The total membership of the four
leading fraternal beneficiary societies
on Jan. /. 1901, was as follows: Modern
Woodmen of America, 1858; Ancient
Order of United Workmen. 4li,A9l;
knights of Maccabees of the World.
2o3 So: Independent Order of Forestc:s
1854.
! A distinctive feature of the order Is