Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1900-1903, 1903-02-21

N%Sf$# IElO the OeTallS OF the organ
VI SgM ization and development of
SS&a. - the Patrons of Eusbandry in
M an exhaustive manner, but
CO \ rather in superficial way,
to give some ideas concern
ing the characters of the men who
were its founders and of the manner
OF its development as well as its diff
cultles through which it has passed.
The idea of this order originated in
the head Of Minnesota farmer, o. H.
Kelly by name.
The seasons of '62 and '63 were ex-
ceedingly dry in Minnesota, causing
Mr.. Kelly to turn his attention to
other channels than farming for sup
port. Accordingly, he laid down the
shovel and hoe and took up the pen.
His articles were received with favor
IN the newspapers, but he not being
, in harmony with this work, welcomed
an appointment to a clerkship in the
department of agriculture at Wash
ington, where he spent the summer
of 1864, returning to his Minnesota
farm in the spring of 1868 In the
fall OF 1855 he was recalled to Wash
ington and was appointed 10 clerk
ship, the object of which was by in
vestigation to regain the statistics
relative to the agricultural and min
eral resources of the south, which had
been discontinued during the war.
While travelling in the south he was
greatly impressed with the lack of
harmony which existed between the
people of the north and south, and it
was with the idea of esta blishing kind
ly feelings between the people that
the formation of this organization
first occurred to him. Mr.. Kelly was
a mason, and was greatly aided in
this work by msmbers Of that fra
ternity. 70 some Of these, as weskall
presently see, he made known his plan,
also to his niece, Miss C. A. Hall. of
Boston, and On visit to her in the
spring of 1866 she proposed that if
such an organization was, formed
women should be admitted to full
membership. So we must give to wom-
an the credit of inserting into the or
ganization that feature which makes
1t preeminent among social organiza-
tons.
The following summer Mr.. Kelly
spent on his Itasca (Minn.) farm, but
received an appointment to the post
office department in January, 1867.
Thus far no real work had been done
upon the order. 1t had merely been
talked about, principally between a
Rev. John Tribe, Mr.. Kelly and Miss
Hail. During the following summer,
Mr. Kelly made the acquaintance Of
w. M. Ireland, who was chief clerk of
the finance office of the post office de-
partment and was also prominent
member of the masonic order.
The idea Of The organization was
preached to Mr.. Ire land and was re-
ceised with such encouraging effect
that Mr.. Kelly penciled out plan for
the ritual, which manuscript was for
warded to Miss Hall for her criticism.
During the summer William Saun-
ders, another mason, was taken into
confidence, and from the position
which he held in the department of
agriculture and from the opportunity
which soon came to him of attending
a meeting of the United States Pomo-
logical society, where he in quiet way
advocated this organization, proved
himself valuable adjunct to those in
terested, and through his efforts An
son Bartlett, Of Madison, o., still am
other mason, became interested and
aided materially in its development.
So far the proposed term to be ap-
piled to the local organizes tions had
been i1odges," but Mr.. Bartlett OBJ
SMo4n1 A. ory,, ,x - -,
the minds of some prejudice against
anything under the name of lodge"
and he very wisely suggested that,
as this was to be a organization of
farmers, some name derived from or
applied to the cultivation of the soil
would be more appropriate, and sug-
gested garden" or ''yinc yard" for
these local organiza lions, and indie
pendent Farmers was the first name
which he proposed for the order From
this a general discussion was opened
relative to name, and in place of
lodges" such names were suggested
as "felds,'' farms "beehiyes,. "gar-
dens,'' grove" "arbcr,' { tc., and we
might suggest right here that perhaps
the. term beehive would be more
appropriate Tor some OF THESE modern
lodges"
Various names were also proposed
for the order. among which were In
dependent Order of Progressive Farm
ers, Knights of the Pillow, Knights of
the Flail, Lords of the Soil, Brethren
of the Vine, Temples of Industry, Com
panions Of labor, ETC., etc.
About this time, with visw to ascer-
tanning the views of some of the lead
ing horticulturists in different parts
of the country. 800 circulars We're got
ten out and forwarded to the m The
result was some very encouraging re-
plies and several more lively CORE
N