Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23
odd FELLOWS. ] Home /
FARM OF l41 ACRES NEAR LYNCH
BURG SELECTED.
IT WILL BE REMoDELLED.
The buildings I'm a Large Grove-A
Fine Orchard ana a Bold stream
Expected to. Dc Ready by SPRING
History OF the Movement.

The matter OF. establishing home by
the Odd Fellows Of Virginia for the orphan
children OF deceased members, and for ag.
ed and INDECENT members or their widows.
has been the subject of much discussion
In the Grand Lodge for many years.
More recently the matter assumed def
mite shape, and at session held In Roa-
noke in 1897, a committee was appointed
funds. This committee reported at the
1892 session. held In Portsmouth. sub
scrjptions amounting to about $4,000. Res
olutioEs were then prepared by Mr.. Hill
Montague declaring that such an institu-
ton should be established and maintained
uy the order in this State, They were
adopted. Those resolutions proceeded 10
carry out the plan by providing for twelve
trustees and levying a per capita assess
ment of 80 cents on the entire member
ship. to be paid out of the general funds
of the lodges. so
HAVE POWER TO TAX
Under the law of Odd Fellowship. the
Grand Lodges have the power to tax their
subordEates for such purposes. and they
must pay. The amount of the present tax
will be raised. If necessary, and is de-
signed for fund for the maintenance, OF
the homo. This is in addition to the build
IS|'N
seni-annually. The fist payment to he
made to the grand secretary on January
1st, next. At the present time this tax
will produce at least 5000 annually and
as the membership is increased at the rate
of more than 1000 yearly. the income Will
steadily increase.
DOARD OF InUSTEES
The following trustees were elected
Governor A. j. Montague, and Mr.. Hi
Montague. OF Richmond; Colonel William
Lamb. of Norfolk; Messrs. NJ. H. Bolton.
Lynchbu,g; w. T. Baldwin. East Rad
ford: r. l.. Brown. Big Stone Gap; Nor.
chester: P M. Bradshaw, Alexandria
Frank G. Newbill, Irving on; Colonel Z
e. Vaughan, Jr., Franklin; James Mitch
ell Hampton; w. d. Hill, South Boston;
August Benn.ng, Roanoke; and MIS-. Annie
Mccoy. Norfolk. the last three being mem
bers ex-oftlcio. by virtue Of their offices
as grand master. grand patriarch, OF the
grand encampment. and president OF the
Rebeka Assembly, respectively.
The trustees were directed to tncorpor'
ate the Odd Fellows Home of Vir-
ginia,'' and when that had been done. the
corporation was to take up and carry or
their work. lie Grand Lodge In the lu'
ture simply nomina ting the trustees anc
providing funds for the maintenance OF
the institution.
All tttse steps have been taken. The
officers are, Governor A. j. Montagus
president: Hill Montague, vice-president
p NJ Bradshaw. secretary Charles Poh
Zig, assistant secretary; and James Mitch
ell, treasurer.
SELECTED THE HOME.
After considering places at many points
in vi \ MIA, most of which would have
been suitable. the trustees decided tt
inspect properties at Lynchburg. Bedford
City and Salem. After doing so they he.e
a lengthy session in Roanoke on Noven1'
Der the 18th. and finally selected the farm
at Winners Siding. on the Southern rail-
road just outside of Lynchburg. contain.
ings. which will be remodelled for the
purposes Of the institution.
The building Is situated In large aoA
grove. and bold stream runs through the
farm. 1t has on 1t an orchard valued al
$1,000.
IL TITLE GOOD WILL BE PURCHASED
If the title to the property be found goot
the purchase price Will be paid IN cash
plans for the remodellng Of the building
made and the work let. 1t Is expected thai
the home will be ready for the occupancy
of at least fifty children in the early
spring, SO that when the Grand Lodge
in May. the representatives can adjourn
to the home for the purpose of dedicat
ing It.
At this time there are about 5000 Ode
Fellows in Virginia. Its growth has beer
rapid in recent year. There are nearly
1900 in Richmond alone.
HELD OFFICE NEARLY FIFTY YEARS
In connection with the order is fac'
worthy of mention. that the treasurer Of
the Grand Lodge, Mr.. John. w. Fergus
son. who has held his Office for nearly
fifty years, and is now in his sSth year. |:
in good health. During this time he hal
never missed q session OF the Crane
Lodge.
Mir. T. Wiley Davis. also a well-knowr
citizen of this city. has been grand secre
tary of the order for more than thirty
years.