The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-07-29
GERHANlA LODGE, l. Q. 0. F.
FIFTEENTH ANNIVERsARY VAS
 CELEBRATED YESTERDAY.

SIX Hundred Germans from All Parts of
 Ihe State in AtteBdance-speech by
 Grand onicors, Mayor studiey and President Gensbauer-spIendId Ban. quet-Dancing Concluded the Fes- ttVItiss.
 The exercises attendant upon the fif- tieth anniversary of Germania lodge No. IS, I. O. o. F., were opened in Mu- sic hall yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the presence of about six hundred persons. There was very large at tendance of the members of the lodge and the number of invited guests from out of the city and in the city who at- tended was very surprising.
 A solemn lodge session marked the opening and after appropriate remarks yb Fest President J. Anugust Gens- bauer, prayers were said by eX-Chap- lain Gottfried Lehr. An address of welcome was then given by his honor, Mayor John P. Studley. IntermingIed with these exercises were several selec- tions. by an orchestra of fourteen pieces stationed on the rear of the platform. The historical address was delivered by the secretary, George K. MeiIer, which was followed by addresses by i the following:
 ! Grand Master Frank B. Upson, Depu- I ty Grand Master c. s. Davis, Grand Warden Sidney W. Challenger, Grand Secretary Frederick w. Botsford of this city, Grand Treasurer Marigold, Grand Representatives William P. 1 District Deputy Grand Master George
 H. Rudolph of Meriden.
 | Addresses by noble grands of the fol- lowing lodges: s,.. Goethe lodge No 79 of Middletown, Steuben lodge No. S3 of Bridgeport, Humboldt lodge No. 91 of this city, Schiller lodge No. 92, Leasing lodge No. 94 of Bridgeport, Teutonia lodge No. 95 of Meriden, Gerstaeker lodge No 96 of New Britain, Noble grand of Deborah lodge No. IA of this city, Chief patriarch of Aurora encanpment No. 27 of this. city, Captain of Canton Aurora No. F of this city.
 This part of the programme was com pleted about ? o'clock and the invited guests and Odd Fellows then regaled themselves with one of the finest ban quets ever served.
 The tables occupied the entire length and breadth of the banquet hall, which is directly below the main hall They were very deliberately decorated and presented most animated appearance. Speeches were. made by most of the Grand lodge officers; also by Mrs. Hill- man, past president of the assembly of Rebekah, and several other prominent Rebekafs.
 The hall was beautifully decorated with palms and potted plants being used in abundance, especially on the stage, and there were festoonings of national colors and emblens of the or der everywhere about the room. There was a large banner with elconle" extending entirely across the stage and the emblem of the order suspended be- low it
 Following the banquet came most enjoyable dance of eighteen numbers, and all present participated In this DOT ton of the celebrations programme with enthusiasm.
 Too much credit cannot be given the fest president, J. August Gensbauer, for his untiring efforts in making this cele- bration one of the greatest in the his- tory os German Odd Fellows in the state. The entire affair was a great success and most of the planning and carrying into execution of the plans was by MT. Gensbauer.