Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-04-29
A'DAY OF THREE-LINKERS.
EIGHTY. FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF EsTAB-
LIsHNIENT IN AMERICA.
Celebration Of La Crosse Valley Association Holds
Its Meeting in Virodua- Good Gathering and First
Class Exercisss-Fine Parade, Election Officers
Union Sunday Service for Ode Fellows

Saturday last was truly a season in
| Niroqua given over to the three mixers,
| it being the eighty-fourth anniversary
| of the establishment of Odd Fellowship
| in this country, and the second annual
of the La Crosse Valley Odd Fellows AS
| sociation, embracing the lodges of Spar
! ia, Bangor, Tomah, Cashton and Viro-
qua. 1t is a day that should be made
memorable because of the good features
that developed and were reverenced.
Viroqua, as usual, displayed her good
graces in the matter of entertaining
guests. The threatening weather of Fri
day night undoubtedly persuaded many
at a distance from attending who other
wise would have been present. But
Saturday dawned pleasant and hence a
good spirited crowd Of visiting brothers
and sisters came by private conveyance
from the surrounding country, but the
greater number by rail The early
morning train dropped a goodly delega-
tion from Sparta and Cashton, but the
later train rounded mp with Bangors
full delegation and scattering fraters
from different lodges
AT eleven O'Clock the business meeting
of the association was called to order by
President Suttle A call of lodge roll
found all lodges represented, together
with the Rebekah departments, Encamp-
ments and Viroqua Military Canton.
The secretary and treasurers reports
showed the association gaining in men,
bership and financially on a sound basis.
The following officers were elected for
the association for the ensuing year:
President-J. ID, Vaughan, Bangor.
Secretary--O G. Briggs, OashtOn,
Treasurer-Mrs. LongweiE, Sparta,
Marshall. S. Hamilton, VirOqua.
Chaplain-Ever jenkins, Bangor.
Bango- was unanimously chosen as
the place FOR holding the annual meet
ing Of the association next year,
An adjournment ffcc-- Siuner was taken,
which was served in the best possible
style by ladies of the WoIlsn's Relief
Corps, who entertained their guests at
Post hall. Supper was also served at
the same place.
The parade in tGe afternoon was an
imposing one, headed by the city band.
The procession moved on different
streets about the city, and it was the
largest fraternal parade, and most i'm
posing one, this town has witnessed.
The march was concluded st the Opera
house, where the general program was
well carried through. The house was
packed with members of the order and
their friends After the pTeliminaries
the first thing was march by the band
finely rendered, the composition being
by Will E. LRwton, a member Of that
splendid musical organization Then
the ode Of the order sung by members,
after which Rev William Haughton,
chaplain of the association, offered a
feeling prayer, The mals quartette rem
dered a selection that Wa SO well receiv-
ed that the audience StSsid not permit
the gentlemen to retire withouta second
selection, which was on the humorous
order The Iembers OF the quartette
were Messrs. Silbaugh, Seyerson, Wood
and Lawton.
Mayor Coffland made happy address
of welcome, striking a vein that pleased
the visitors and audience. He r-cffered
the keys that unlock the hearts and
homes Of our city This was on behalf
of the city and her citizens. Captain
Silbaugh gave tho address for the four
local branches of Odd Fellowship, and
it was thoughtful and well-timed ef-
fort. He referred to the splendid work
Of odd Fellowship in Wisconsin, the
United States and abroad He said in
the year 1901 the ranks of membership
had been increased by 5j, 900, with $92
000, 900 distributed in charity. The or
der had spread he said to twenty two
nations and provinces. Captain recited
the good work of the order in Viroqua
ana the adversely days, but it had come
through and was the same hospit bic
society in its KINDRED branches, our.
neighbors had so long appreciated in us.
The response was by Past Grand Mas
ter Brant of Sparta, who paid a high
tribute to Viroqua odd Fellows and Re
bekahs as generous and thoughtful en-
tertainers, saying that all neighbors
must yield the palm to us in this respect
and as mindful workers for the order.
The annual address was given by Rev.
C. Z. Buffers OF this city, who felt she
said, that le WAS highly privilioed to be
permitted 10 talk to the assoc alton for
the grea- fraternal order of Odd Fellow
ship tHe feared, he said that he
would be the thinnest part Of the sand
wich, only the buffers Through
| out his address was crowded with pun
gent witty humor that brought its sober
counterpart in illustration. His subject
was the Ideal Odd Fellow. He por-
! trayed his ideal as the straightforward
man, doing his utmost to elevate his fel-
lows; not the man who attends lodge or
church oftenest and prays longest, using
| these institutions as q cloak for small
ness and personal selfshness. Such an
| ideal Odd Fellow must be symmetrical
! man, well balanced. of'right proportions,
q man imbued with the principles of
fraternity, possessed of great heart
measurement a litter and q goer An
| ideal Odd Fellow is a temperate u an.
| The address was pleasing departure
| from the average address on fraternity
novel, pointed, humorous and aboundiDg
| in thoughts that every auditor might
/ take nome and chew on.
/ Mrs. Jac kson Sifbaugh spoke for few
moments OF lady branch Of Odd Eel
lowship, reviewing the history Of the
protracted struggle for recognition.
( Step by step the reform came till now
I any honor able woman eighteen years of
J age can be admitted to q Rebekah lodge
Schuyler COifax sne gave credit for
much of the advancement Of the sister
cause in Odd Fellowship. Mrs. Silbaugh
/ said there IL no good work that woman
( cannot do. especially is sne looked 70
/ fer deeds OF charity, for her sympathy
I is gref ter than that Of mao The in
! terest II wife gnd husband should be
one give woman mental breadth and
/ she can do much more The mission Of
I brothers and sisters ia Odd Fellowship,
as all other avenues 0f life should be 70
/ elevate
Two wcl rendered vocal selections by
the young ladies club of the high school,
a band number aud benedic1iOn by TIE
chaplain closed a Uueh eDl5ye! after.