Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-20
BIG ELK WELCOMED HOME
Omaha Gives Enthusiastic Reception to
Grand Exalted Ruler Oronk.
THlRTY-NlNE HOLDS A JOYFUL SESSION
Judge VinsOnhaIer Expresses senti-
ment of Home Lodge, Mayor
MoOres Speaks for city ana
J.. n. Fisher for East.

Hundreds Of omahans filed the Burling-
ton station last night to welcome home
George P. Cronk. the newly elected grand
exalted ruler Of the Elks. The welcome ac-
corded him was b%ehtting the high ONCE to
which he was elected. With the crowd was
the Twenty-second Infantry band from
Fort Crook, which accompanied the Omaha
delegation to Salt Lake City, where the
meeting Of the grand lodge was held.
After his arrived Mr.. Cronk was escorted
to the Elks' club rooms, where an informal
reception was held, at which addresses were
made by Judge Vinsonhaler, Mayor Moores,
Jerome B. Fisher Of jamestown, N. Y, past
grand exalted ruler, District Deputy Funk
houser. w. r. Bennett. d. H. Mercer and
Mr.. Cronk.
The train bearing Mr.. Cronk and party
arrived at 7:45 from Lincoln. As 1t drew
up to the station the band started the
Omaha Elks March," which was drowned
out by the cheering Of the hundreds as
the familiar figure Of the grand exalted
ruler appeared upon the platform. The
crowd made a rush for him. He was taken
bodily from the train. People iostled and
pushed each other to touch his hand. w.
R.. Bennett and Dave O'Brien placed him
upon their shoulders and amid the wild
shouts OF the multitude carried him into
the station, up the stairs and out onto
the viaduct. Here he was placed In a car
rage, together with District Deputy Funk
houser, Past Exalted Ruler vinsonhaler and
Jerome B. Fisher, and the march to the
club rooms was begun.
Procession to Lodge Rooms.
First in the procession came a detail Of
police under Sergeant Davis, the the
Twenty second Infantry band, playing mar
tial music, followed by the members Of
Omaha lodge No. 80. B. P. o. E., four
abreast. As the procession moved west on
Farnam street 1t gained recruits, and by
the time the band stopped In front of the
Elk rooms at Fifteenth and Farnam streets
the crowd numbered thousands.
Past Exalted Ruler Vinsonhaler presided
at the reception at the club rooms and in
his address Of welcome paid Mr.. Cronk
many compliments. as he did also lodge
No. 80. This lodge has reached its hey
dey Of happiness" he began, Gin the election
Of George P. Cronk as grand exalted ruler.
Those not present at the meeting cannot
appreciate the honor that has been dom
this lodge. From the time the gavel fell
1t was the supreme thought Of every one
that the man elected to this position should
stand for citizenship and character. Since
~ VIBduiIaNiou u thS iouB6 IL HAS Dtcu
the s!G2 &c have quality and net quantity
in It's membership" Referring. to Mr..
Cronk, Judge v~insonhaler said; THE
grand lodge selected for its grand ex-
allied ruler a man as we'll If not better
fitted for the. position than any of his pre-
decessors. No member stands higher with
the lodges of the country than does Cronk.
He will carry into the grand lodge the
same enthusiasm that he has shown here.
He will fill the position WE'LL
while No. 80 and all the lodges Of the
state were in the front rahks Of those
working for his election" continued Judge
Vinsonhaler, land while we feel 'chesty'
that he was elected. our greatest work was
keeping out Of the way Of one George P.
Cronk. whose election was due more than
anything else to his own fitness for the
place"
Mr.. Cr0nk Responds.
II have faced many trying situations"
responded Mr.. Cronk, but not one that
impressed me with my utter incapacity
as this one does. 1t has been said that no
word has ever issued from mouth as sweet
as home. This is my home; L have re-
ceived inspiration here; l have received
sympathy, and this, my lodge, has done
more for me than l can ever thank It for.
II / have added one jewel to the crown Of
this lodge I am happy for it. / cannot
adequately thank you, my brothers, for this
great honor you do me-"
Mr.. Cronk then introduced jerome B.
Fisher, past grand exalted ruler, who said
many nice things of the western Eiks and
OF the new exalted ruler. Happy, indeed is
the lodge that has Cronk," he said. 1.-THE
east is happy in his selection. We know
him as a business man, a man true to his
friends. He is loved throughout the
breadth and length of Eikdom."
Mayor Moores then welcomed the new
exalted ruler on behalf Of the city. He was
followed by short talks from d. H. Mercer
and w. r. Bennett. Music for the occa-
sion was furnished by the Elks' quartet
and the band. Punch was served,
Mrs. Cronk, who was with her husband
in Salt Lake City. remained in Denver for
a visit to friends. Mr.. Cronk, in company
with Mr.. Fisher. will go to Philadelphia
tonight. Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Cronk
was rendered a reception in Lincoln and
u - So a. Aw