The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24

unique feature of this room is piece of
black walnut. which forms the top of the
counter in the buffet. 1t was given the
order by Samuel Spelman, who lives in
Central America. This slab is Of the
most perfect specimens. and experts say
that it is quite a curiosity on account of
its perfection. This piece of wood was kept
i'm cold storage so that it could be properly
seasoned.
One of the peculiar features of the whole
affair is that in every room the majority
of the decorations pointed out to the Wis
itor are remembrances from members who
have left the city and located in other
parts of the world. 1t seems that these
men form attachment for their order.
from which they are never able to wean
themselves. and the first thing they think
of is to send all curosities to the lodge.
On the second floor is what is called the
lounging, smoking and music room. This
can be made into three distinct rooms
into one large room that extends across
the whole front of the building and also its
entire length. The room is divided by ac-
Gordon doors, which can be folded back
against the wall, and are not noticeable. 1t
is in this room where all social sessions
are held and the advantage of having it
divided off is when committees of various
kinds are meeting At each one of these di-
visions is a door which leads out into the
hall, so that members of one committee can
come and go without disturbing those of
another. The trimmings of this room are
entirely of specially selected quarter
sawed oak. In front of this room is a
piano. and in the center is large table, on
which is piled all of the latest magazines
and papers.
stein social gathering has been held. Each
member who attended this brought an in
dividual stein and these now adorn the
walls Some OF them are very odd and orig
inal. This Is an Ideal lOungng ROOM and
the corners are piled with pillows which
have been given by the various members.
thus composing very neat coy corners.
1t is so arranged that between the accor-
dion doors portable table can be swung,
which extends the entire length of the
room. On the second floor there is also a
pantry, and dumb. waiter which is con-
nected with the cellar On this floor is also
a check room, as well as a ladies' dressing
ROOM the latter arranged with long mir
rors and all conveniences.
IN THE LODGE ROOM.
The third floor is entirely taken up by
the lodge room. The way leading from the
front door to this room is a continuous
winding hall connected by stairways. If a
member desires he can go to the lodge
rooms without once going through any part
of the building that is given over to the So
ca side
The lodge room presents picture. 1t is
not only very handsome in furnishings and
arrangements. but il is an impressive-look-
ing place. This room alone cost 81, 800. The
furniture in Il is Of solid mahogany, and is
hand carved and trimmed i'm dark green
plush. In the center is a Corinthian column
centerpiece. This is also hand-caTved ma
hOgany, and on il rests the Bible This
book was presented to the lodge by Capt
1891
AT the upper end of the room is Il raised
platform, where the exalted ruler sits.
When the lodge is ready 10 convene he has
simply 10 press button, which is connect
ed with a gong downstairs. and all business
then ceases. Surrounding him are the rest
of the officers. with the exception of two.
There is Il platform extending along each
the chairs for the two remaining officers.
Leading from this room is the initiation
room where ell OF the paraphernalia for
this ceremony is kept.
The lodge room is covered by a twenty
foot steel ceiling. so that perfect vibration
can be had. person can talk in or
binary tone OF voice. and can be distinctly
heard in the gallery at the opposite end of
the room Near the ceiling and directly
over the chair of the exalted ruler is an
elks head, surrounded by red. white and
blue incandescent lights, and above this is
the dial Of clock with light behind it,
with the hands pointing to the hour of
eleven. This Is emblem of the order. and
at this hour OF the night when the lodge
ia In session all business ceases and n toast
Is drank to the health of the absent broth
ers. This same ceremony is always gone
through with whenever a crowd Of Elks
are together, no matter what the occa-
sion is.
In the middle Of the ceiling is a large and
very artistic center of cathedral glass.
which contains all of the emblems of the
order. The lights Of the room can be so
manipulated that those in the center OF the
glass the ones around the elk's head and
the one in the clock can be lighted indie
pendently OF the others. and this. with the
darHened room. gives very pretty effect.
At the opposite end OF the hall is a large
elks head that WAS presented TO the order
this city The peculiarity of this head is
that the antlers have thirteen prongs,
which Is also the number Of the local lodge
1t is seldom that the prongs of elk's
antlers are anything but even in number.
and this one is looked uDon as quite an
oddly.
The lodge ROOM including the gallery. can
under ordinary circumstances seat 800 peo-
pie. and when large crowds are present 500
can be comfortably seated. 1t Is seen
that this place Is large and spacious. The
hoor coverings are OF heavy brussels drug
gets. Around the walls the portraits OF
all OF the exalted rulers hung in succession.
Take the room as 4 whole IL Is hard 10
conceive a more beautiful appropriate
place for the ceremonies OF this order to
be held.
The officers of the local lodge at the pres
ent time Exalted ruler. Joseph r.
Bell; leading knight, J. H. O'Brian; es-
teemed loyal knight. r Bodemillar: es-
teemed lecturiug knight RI A. Moran;
secretary, e. y. BALI; treasurer. William
kotteman: esquire. c. G; Kuhn; tyieH o.
q. Yeaman; inner guard. c. y. Grossart;
chaplain, l.. A. Harmeyer: trustees. Emil
Fertig. Saul Munter and G.. G. Schmidt. The
organist is IL. Y. Mercey, aud the superin-
tendent Is Thomas Heidlan.