The Washington times., 1902-04-06
B. P. 0. ELKS.

Fleet Of foot and timorous of doing
wrong, avoiding all combat. except when
fighting for the female and in defence OF
young. the helpless, and weak
III Goldsmith's Animated Nature" and
Buhon's Natural History" the above is
given as a definition of the character of
the elk. And upon those sentiments is
founded the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, whose members are often
spoken of as the Best People On Earth
The order, which is based upon the
principles Of charity and humanity, was
organized in New York during the winter
OF 1867, On a Sunday afternoon. 1t was
then known as the Jolly Corks" A few
months later the name was changed to
that of the Benevolent and Protective Or
der OF Elks. The society grew slowly for
several years, its membership being close
ly confined TO actors. But gradually it
branched cut, until today its lodges are
10 be found in all the large cities of the
United States.
The order was founded originally for
the purpose of having a good time on sun
day afternoons in New York. where the
law regarding the sale of liquor was more
stringent than today. But as the order
grew in age and numerical strength its
name was changed. partially so its object,
and the humanity was incuicats5-nro-
tectins the female and extending help
Ing hand to fellow brothers who were in
distress
That latter feature of the order is the
secret of its success today. Although lit
tie more than quarter of a century old
not year has passed but what has seen
new lodges spring into existence the coun-
Try over and the charitable character Of
the order become a household word As
dispensers of charity il is doubtful If
there is another order in existence TODAY
In the country which does the good the
ElEs do. Its actual work is not we'll
known. except among the members, for
the Elks do not believe in letting the
right hand know what the left does.
Therefore the good it does in the com
mnnity where 3 lodge exists is usually
confined TO those who actually extend the
heiplng hand and those who receive the
benefits flowing therefrom.
There are very few peopIe who really
knew how the Eiks were organized That
Il likewise true of many of those who
wear miniature elk head on the lapel
OF the coat. The originator was Charles
Sidney Vivian. Ee came to this country
from England, landing at New York on
September 4, 1867. His father was a
Clergyman and he a ballad singer. The
vivian secured an engagement at Bob
Buffers American Theatre. 472 Broadway.
He boarded at Mrs. Giesman's, 11S Elm
Street, where a number of other actors
and musicians did. In those days the ex-
else laws of Gotham were very strict, and
on each Sunday afternoon many of the
boarders at Mrs. Giesman's, including
Vivian, were in the habit Of me3ing at
her house and having a sociable HIle 1t
At nF
suggested they form themselves. ipS n
regular social organization. T3lea
took, and that winter saw the fo5 ~
OF a society known as the Jolly Con
The presiding officer was called the -
perfal cork, to which position ViyianSa
elected.
When Vivian came over from England
there was an organization In that country
called the "Bufaloes." which was very
popular and to which he belonged. The
Jolly Corks" was organized along the
lines of that society. The charter mem
bers of the Jolly Corks'' were: Charles
Sidney Vivian, Richard R. Steirly, Will
liam Carleton, Henry Vandemark, Will
liam Sheppard, Edgar NJ. Platt, William
L. Bowron. Harry Bosworth, NJ. G. Ashe,
John T. Kent, J. C. Wilton, Frank Lang
horn. and John II. Blume.
The order grew so rapidly in popularity
and membership that the modest house of
Mrs. Giesman was no longer adequate as
a meeting place. and new quarters were
secured at the residence OF Paul Summers,
II Delaney Street II was at this place
that the Jolly CGrks" underwent a reor-
ganization and the name of Benevolent
and Protective Order Of Elks was chosen.
That occurred on Sunday February 10,
1868. To a committee of five was the Sc
lection of a new and more appropriate
name assigned, Mr.. Vivian being one of
the number. He suggested the name of
''Bufaloes." Nandermark. who was also
member of the committee, opposed the |
name on the ground that the society |
should have one distinctly American.
One day most of the members of the |
committee happened to meet at Barnums S /
old museum, and were favorably i'm /
pressed with the appearance of a fine |
slk's head which was hanging in a con-
spicuous place. The chairman of the |
committee looked mp the history of the |
ELK, and the definition of 1t given in the !
TWO authorities cited above SO impressed I
he committee that they decided upon the
name Of Elks for the reorganized society.
The growth of the order since 1874,
when there were but two lodges in the
country. with combined membership OF
bout 200. has been very rapid. Eight
'ea-s later there were fourteen lodges |
With 1896 dsyotees OF the antlers. The
lawn OF the twentieth century saw 760
odgss, each representing a city, the chain
xto nding from the Atlantic to the Pa
ifc. from the great lakes TO the Gulf of
seyico- On the roster of those lodge
looks are enrolled 10000 grand good,
oble fellows. whose highest ambition is
o relieve distress and promote happi-
less"
AS Halsey NJ. Rhoads wrote of the or
er: '-On the roll Of the membership of
he p. p. o. Z. will be found the names
( prominent officials, United States Sen
tors and Congressman. merchants, bank
RS. journalists. lawyers, doctors and
lany of the brightest lights in the world
art, literature, music and drama. Fra
ernal love and justice shine with char
~ in the crown of jewels each worthy
lember must wear. The charity of the
rder is proverbial. No sooner does the ]
~ of distress ring out upon the air of
orrow than the band of rescue reaches |
ut for the luckless brother or his strick-
n family. The Elks Dever pause to ask
,r creed, nativity or spiritual belief"
One of the most beautiful and solemn .
ceremonies of all Elk gatherings, whether
be in the secret session OF the lodge
r in an open -5cial is drinking the IL {
clock toast to the absent brothers,
hether they be on land or sea- and to
.parted brothers WHO have gone beyond &
,e great tideless sea of time. When the q
,ur OF II O'Clock arrives and the toast is
,lled all brothers within hearing drop