Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-07-15
DR.. w. E. Shallenberger,
145 lakewood Blvd, Chicago.
Reference: Drexel State Bank.
Hope cemetery, April %, 1899, and
soon after suitable monument was
erected to his memory.
ORIGIN of "HelIo, BILL

The origin of Hello, Bill" rests
with Cincinnati Elks. Like almost ev-
cry expression that becomes famous
its birth is due to accident. Hello,
Bill'' came into use by the Elks in
1897, at the annual reunion of the or
der at Minneapolis. Among those who
attended from Cincinnati lodge were
VIM. G. Zeigler, past exalted ruler of
Cincinnati lodge and VIM. F. Graut.
man for several years secretary of
Cincinnati lodge. Both were then and
are. members of the grand lodge. One
day during the Minneapolis reunion,
Ziegler ran into Grautman on prom
inent corner and yelled to him:
Hello, Bill!''
Brautman yelled back:
Hello, Bill!".
Both are. named BILL The incident
in itself amounted to nothing more
than a mere greeting. But, as it hap
pened there were several other BILLS"
passing by and every one turned Sew
en- or eight of them found themselves
yelling to one another:
Hello, Bill"
A Minneapolis newspaper man no.
ticed the incident and exclaimed:
by Gum, my names Bill, too. |
thought all. those Elks were speaking
to me-" ~.t,
Hello Bill" thus became byword.
The newspaper man referred to, wrote
a humorous story about the occur
renee and it was picked up by all the
visiting Elks, who heganato greet one
another with 'Hello Bill" regardless
of their names. Now when one Elk
meets another, no matter where and
strangers though they are, they greet
each other with Hello. Bill"
1t has becoem the word of greeting
all over the United States. An Elk
does not like to be greeted with Hello
Bill by man not an Elk. But when
one strange Elk gfeets another with
Hello Bill'' a bond of friendship is in
stantly formed and never broken. as
1t is cemented without delay, giving
each other the grip and exchanging
cards.
Several different stories have been
circulated regarding the origin of
Hello Bill" One is that in an Elks'
parade big Billy goat with one of the
lodges was greeted on all sides
with Hello Bill! and that this started
the now famous expression. While the
goat incident transpired, 1t was not
until year or two after the Mime
apolis incident of the several William
Elks running into one another.
Little Boy Blue"
The late Eugene Field, whose sweet
songs of childhood and nature will
commemorate his name for genera
tons, was an enthusiastic member of
Chicago lodge No. a, B. P. o. e. On the
first Sunday in December every Elks,
lodge in the United States observes
what was formerly called the Lodge
OF Sorrow" but which is now termed
The Memorial Session. On the oc-
caslon OF the first memorial session of
Chlcago lodge, following the death Of
eugene Field much of the session was
devoted to the memory of Field. and
several Of his poems were re-read His
poem, Little Boy Blue" was recited
on that occasion by an elocutionist in
such an impressive manner that there
was scarcely a fearless eye in the i'm.
mense audience. Such an impression
did the recital of this beautiful work
OF pathos make on the Elks gathered
there that it was determined to have
the poem read at each annual me,
mortal session of Chicago lodge and
the idea has since been observed
The little toy dog is covered with dust
But stanch and steady it stands.
The little tin soldier is red with rust
And his musket he holds in his
hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was
new,
:, And the soldier was passing fair.
mat was the time when our little boy
blue,
Kissed them and placed them there.
Now don't you go till I Gomez he said
And don't you make noise"