The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-05
WILL HAVE HOME
FOR AGED ELKS
long-Nurtured Project Realized
In All Its Fullness.
LOCATED AT BEDFORD CITY
Institution Was Erected Twelve Years
Ago as Summer Hotel, and is 10 Be
Opened Next Winter-ls Well
Suited for the Purpose.
LOCATED AT BEDFORD CITY

when the officers and members of the
Grand Lodge OF the Benevolent and Pro-
tec:ive Order of Eiks assemble in con-
rention at Salt Lake City in a few days,
they will learn that a fond dream of
many years has been realized, and that
the order has al last splendid home for
Its aged and INDECENT members.
Every step Of progress made toward the
esta hlishment of this home has been
watched with deep interest by the Balti-
more members of the order, and it has
been source of pride to them that a
leauing Baltimore Elk-GrandTrustee Hen
ny w. MearS-waS one of the committee
intrusted with the selection, and that he
has been most energetic and enthusiastic
In the work. They are also pleased 10
know that the home Is located in an
adjoining State. at a convenient distance
from this city.
The National Elks' Home, it will be
known from now on, is at Bedford c'ty'
Va nesting cozlly at the foot of the pe'ah-
tiful Blue Ridge Mountains. and almost
within the shadow of the famous Peaks
of Otter. IN country that refects liie
most slluring smiles OF nature anu
breathes the life-giving ozone OF Virginia
hills.
It is natural that an order whose very
foundation rests upon the twin pillars Oh
brothcrly love and charity should warm
iy appreciate the necessity OF proVlolns
comfort and cheer for those of its mem
bership who. through age or misfortune
should need helping hand. The IDEA
of a home for the aged and INDECENT is
NOT of recent conception. 1t had been
thought of and nursed for long time.
but the movement took definite shape
only three years ago at a meeting of
the Grand Lodge held in ST. Louis
THE FIRST STEP TAKEN.
Then and there, the first step was
taken, and the movement began with an
enthusiasm as remarkable as II ha9
proyed lasting The great convention.
including members of the order from all
1,arts of the country. resolved that Ma
tional Elks' Home could and would be
provided The proposition swept on IN
a hurricane of heartiest approval. IN d
little over an hour $4,000 had nee'i
pledged in subscriptions. and the 9uhliant
Elks in a mighty chorus. sang .,s A.ra
Lang Syne,'' and congratulated them
selves and the order that splendid
start had at last been ma de-
The initial movement was taken charge
Of t,y a committee of earnest workers,
and during the ensuing years gratifying
progress was made. The cooperation ana
sYr!pathy of subordinate lodges every
where were enlisted, and when the next
Grand Lodge assembled-two years ago
the supreme body felt justified in looking
around for a suitable site and the acaui-
sition in fact of the home or former
fancy.
This most important work was entrust-
ed to a special committee OF TOUT mem iI,
hers of the Grand Lodge. together with
the board Of grand trustees and the exalt-
al ruler These gentlemen. who VIII
have the pleasure at the coming Salt
/ axe City convention OF reporting a most
gratifying success, are Judge Nface u
Dcrweiler. chairman. Harrisburg. "a
Judge Jerome e. Fisher, Jamestown, n.
Y: George 2. Cronk. Omaha Neb.: w.
Nell bremen. Mayor of Birmingham.
Ala. composing the special committee;
Grand Exalted Ruler Charles Z. Pickett,
OF Waterloo. Iowa, and Grand trustees
joseph T. flaming, of indianapolis. Ind;
John D O'Shea. of Lynn. Mass, and
Henry w. Mears. of Baltimore, Nd.
INITIALS WITH DOUBLE MEANING.
II has been declared that the initials of
the order B. P. 0. E. also stand fer the
Eynonymous term. Best People on Earth.
a title claimed for the Elits. When the
committee got fairly to work on the big
propositon confronting it its members
concluded that another meaning was about
due. and that they could claim the title,
''Busiest People on Earth The details
ot investigation, inspection and travel
We're enormous. Offers of sites and prop>
os.tions Of various kinds came from every
oTnrter thick and fast. Many of these
wer at once rejected as inpracticable.
while others were Investigated. In addi-
ton the committee. in part or as a,whole,
visited and inspected proffered sites at
Springfield. Ohio. where two locations
were to be had: Chillicothe. Ohio. where
a tract of 2S5 acres was suggested; Hills
toro. Ohio; Colorado Springs, Col. where
the national home of the printers is To-
Gated; Waukesha. Wis: Cody, Wy. where
Colonel W. #. Cody. Buffalo Bill de-
sired the Elks to locate, and Fauquer
White Sulphur Springs, Va.
II was thought that the committee had
reached the promised land at the last
named place as ti:s fine hotel property
offered there seemed well suited in every
way for the purpose, and its owners made
a very satisfactory proposition. Unfortu-
rately, in short time the property was
destroyed by fire. The committees at
tontion was next directed to the Bedford
City property. then in the hands of re-
ceivers, and 1t was shortly afterwards
bought at public sale.
Bedford City Is on the main line of the
Norfolk and Western Railway, nearly
midway between Roanoke and Lyncfburg.
L has about 5000 inha bitants. The Hotel
Bedford which will be the Elks Home
Of the future, is about three-fcurths of a
mile from the town, and about 400 yards