The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-11

In our own state
Speaking further OF the demonstration of
Odd Fellows. Mr.. Leedy said: Il have been
warned by representatives Of both the hit
ncis and Ohio jurisdictions that we OF In
diana Will have TO look out for our laurels
else they will be wrested from US. AS in
ducements for a great demonstration we
are offering larger cash prizes in the
Patriarchs Militant drills than have ever
been offered before with one exception,
which was ten or twelve years ago in Chi
cago. In addition, we are offering some
thing that has never been offered before
S2.5e in prizes for degree work. This is
done with a double purpose, first. in order
that the highest grade of dramatic work
may be presented 10 the members who shall
come TO the meeting, and second. for the
entertainment of those members. The indi-
cations now are that this work will be Of
a very high order OF merit. Each one of the
degrees in the order will be ~exemplifed by
the very best degree stats and under the
most favorable conditions. This feature
alone will suffice to draw thousands of odd
Fellows to indianapolis
AMUSEMENT FEATURES.
On the subject of amusements Mr.. Leedy
said: THE means of affording amusement
TO visitors has been a great problem to the
committee on arrangements, but we believe
We nave solved it and that no one who
comes will regret having spent a week
here. In addition TO the degree work we
will have a number Of side attractions. the
grand parade Tuesday. Sept. II, and then
there will be the Indiana state fair with
It's accompanying features and the prize
drills Wednesday. Thursday and Friday.
We have no doubt we will make every one
who comes feel that he has been enter
tanned in royal Indiana style"
Another of the mulitfarious details
which the arrangements committee has
been obliged to look after is the providing
of places for delegates and visitors to find
board and lodging during their stay in In
dianapolis. 1T is amusing as we think it
over" said Mr.. Leedy, that some of our
friends who have been away from Indian
apOlis for a number of years, or, in fact,
some who have never been here, have very
little conception Of the capacity of the city
TO entertain visitors. They wondered how
we would undertake to provide accommo-
dations for such a vast host as will De here
liz September. The real fact is that this has
been no problem to us at all. practically,
and for the simple reason that we have
made a thorough canvass of the city ard
have found that we can provide comfort
ably and economically for every one who
may come. The committee has been pleased
TO find that there is no attempt at all on
the part Of anybody, hotel keepers or 9TH
ers, to raise rates for the occasion, not
withstanding that they know fun well the
city will be crowded with visitors. The
widespread announcement of this fact will
bring 10 this city not only the members Of
our lodges, but as we'll the distinguished
men from all parts of this country and
Canada who have done so much TO give
the order it's present large proportions.
The names OF many of the men who COM
pose the grand body are household words
in the homes of Odd Fellows, and it will
be of nc small interest for the members
here to meet these distinguished men.
Altogether" continued Mr.. Leedy, 81
am very greatly pleased with the condi-
tions that confront us at this ~time-within
a few weeks of the event. We are taking
every precaution in arranging preliminary
details and L am inclined to believe that
when the time shall roll around it will be
found that all the little things that go to
make a successful meeting of this kind
have been attended to with the utmost
care. and that very few indeed will have
cause to be dissatisfied with the atten-
tion they will receive"
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
Another thing which makes this meet
ing of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd
Fellows unusually appropriate for Indi-
annapolis said Mr.. Leedy. lis that this
year is the fftieth anniversary of Rebekah
Odd Fellowship. This degree was adopted
in 1851, when Schuyler Colfax. from this
Jurisdiction, was a member of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge. He had been appointed on a
committee to report upon the ACCESSIBILITY
of establishing the Rebekah degree. The
committee consisted of three persons, two
of whom made an adverse report, but Mr..
Colfax submitted a favorable minority re-
port. Almost singIe-handed and alone he
secured the adoption of the minority for
the majority report and was then directed
TO prepare the degree. which he afterwards
did. Few if any Indiana names are more
familiar than that of Colfax, but his con-
nection with this work in the order makes
his name particularly revered among its
members. This reverence is evidenced not
only by the statue erected to his memory
in University Park. in this city, but in
tNOy thN ROccloiC way MS maine ana
memory are honOred. The Grand Encamp-
ment of Indiana is now composed of sew
eral hundred members and no session of
the grand body is held without an attend
ance of from 400 10 900. At the time Brother
Colfax was elected grand representative
which was at the first session he attended,
the Grand -Encampment of Indiana con-
sisted of only seventeen members. These
facts will suffice to show the wonderful
| growth of the institution
Mr.. Leedy said hat Schuyler Colfax was
not the only distinguished man to whom
the order lays claim. Oliver p. Morton. In
diana's great war Governor, was grand
master of Indiana Jurisdiction I'm 1854. and
remained until the day of his death an
earnest, sincere Odd Fellow, always attend
ing the sessions of the Grand Lodge and
doing everything possible to advance the
interests of the order. II is related thai
when he and Colfax were in the United
States Senate. Colfax as Vice President OF
the United States and ex oficio president
of the Senate. and Morton as a senator. the
senator's would remark jocularly whenever
the Grand Lodge OF Indiana Odd Fellows
was in session. the United States Senate
Is now meeting in Indianapolis" These
two distinguished Odd Fellows invariably
came home TO meet their brethren at the