The Florence daily tribune., 1902-07-07
History of the Elks.

VIOLENT and Protective Order of Elks is
taken from souvenir program of
the First Annual Benefit Entertain
ment of North Adams, Massachusetts
Lodge No 4S7 1t is published for
the benefit of local members and for
those who are interested in the work
of fraternal organizations
A little over quarter of a century
ago, the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks was instituted in the
city of New York by a few generous
hearted, whole-souled gentlemen of
the theatrical profession, who with
many doubts and fears as to its feast
bility, founded an organization de-
signed to be charitable and protective
in character, and which should in
clude in its ranks the brain workers
in the literary, dramatic, and musical
professions, while at the same time
the door was not closed to conjenial
spirits in other walks of life who
should be in sympathy with the OBJ
jects of the fraternity.
Each one bearing i'll mind or hand
A palm of the dear Bohemian land. "
In the year 1867 Charles Algernon
Sidney Vivian, the son of an English
Clergyman, arrived in New York City.
He was ballad singer and two
days after landing obtained an engage
ment at Bob Buffers American
theatre. Vivian boarded ut Mrs,
Geisman's, Elm street. AT one of
these convivial gatherings Vivian pro-
posed that permanent social organ
ization be formed. The suggestion
was favorably acted upon and early
in the winter of the same year the
organization was formed, with thir-
teen members, and called the Jolly
Corks, " Vivian was the first I'm
perial Cork as the presiding officer
was officially designated. The organ
ization was patterned after the ''Buffa-
loes, social order then popular in
England to which Vivian belonged.
The organization was success from
its inception, and soon the parlor of
Mrs. Geisman's boarding house was
too small to accommodate the mem
bers who met every Sunday afternoon.
New quarters were secured at Paul
Summers in Delaney street. The
"Jolly Corks" grew in numbers rap
idly and it was at Summers place
that reorganization was effected and
the name changed to that of The Be-
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
This important event took place on
Sunday, February 10, 1868 The
selection of new name was left to a
committee of five. number of the
members this committee, happen
ing to meet at "Barnum 5 Old Mu.
scum were favorably struck by the
appearance of a fine elk's head, which
was suspended in conspicuous place,
and the name of ''Elks'' was selected
for the organization.
The first constitution of the grand
lodge of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, gives Charles Vivian $
name as the presiding officer.
The preamble of the constitution
recites that: ''The undersigned, mem
bers of the theatrical, minstrel, musi-
cal, equestrian and literary profess
sions, and those who sympathize with
and approve of the objects in view,
do hereby organize an order to pro-
mote, protect and enhance the well
fare and happiness of each other. -
The thirteen original jolly Corks"
comprised the charter members of the
first lodge of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks. The first rit-
ual, fashioned after the English order
of "Buffaloes, called for but one
degree. Later another degree, CON
tanning the lectures was added.
Vivian was installed as Right Honor
able Primo, and presided at one ses-
sion of the lodge, comforting the first
degree upon several candidates, Bro
ther George W. Thompson being one
of the number. Vivians' vocation
necessitated his absence to a greater
or less extent from New York City.