The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-03-15
1 o o F.
DISTRICT MEETING AT BINGHAM.


For the time being the quiet village
of Bingham was in possession of the
Odd Fellows, Friday evening of last
week. The gathering was primarily for
the purpose of holding a union district
meeting of the seven lodges that COM
prise the 22d and 23d districts, but the
most important feature was the presen-
tstion of a testimonial to Leon S. Merrill
of Solon, Past Grand Master, by his
friends and admirers of Somerset county
The two districts are made up of lodges
from New Portland, North Arson.
Scion, Bingham, Skowhegan, Norridge-
wock aud Madison, but the testimonial
was from all subordinate and Rebekah
lodges in the county, which IN addition
TO those mentioned are at Harmony.
Pittsfeld, Hartland, Athens and Fair
field
The meeting was under the manage
ment of John ID. Benjamin of North
Auson, and Frank l.. Powers of Madi-
son, the deputies of the two districts
The board of grand officers we're pres
eut. together with Charles E Jackson
of Portland, Austin s. Esty, P G NJ
of Massachu setts, aud many others out
side he districts A special train Was
run from Norridgewock
The third degree WAS conferred in a
correct and diguifed manner by the
staff of Indian Spring Lodge, No 115, of
Madison
After the degree had been conferred,
snpaCbau xuara In ho b.
grand officers and Others. At the prop
er moment Past Grand, Charles E
ia kson stepped to the front and pre-
senteG Mr. Merrill with the testimonial.
To this warm expression on the PIT of
Mr. Jackson, Mr.. Merrill was visibly
affected and responded in an earnest
and feeling manner
The testimonial consisted of beauti-
fully wrought Past Grand repre- enta
tive's collar with gold bullion embroid-
cry on royal purple and scarlet velvet
the Past Grand aster's jewel wrought
in gold, five and one half inches in
length of superior woIkmanship. The
pin is of scroll work with emblems, the
initials Il. o. . F." and across the face
in black letters the words Past Grand
Master Depended below is gold
shield the center of which contains the
seal of the State of Maine, surrounded
by emblems of the order beautifully
etched, and in the center Of the shield
is large and sparkling diamond. De
pending from this is the jewel proper
backed by spangles of gold. On the
raised rim are the words "Maine 1906 "
Inside is a golden wreath and in The
center the heart and hand containing
ruby. On the reverse side of the jewel
is the following "Prespnted to Leon $.
Merrill, Past Grand Master, by the Sub
ordinate and Rebekah Lodges of Som
erset County, Maine, 1906" 1t il with
out doubt the costliest and most elabo
ate testimonial ever presented to
aine DAD Fellow and Mr.. Merrill has
JUS reason to be proud of the gift.
MIR. Merrill was grand master of the
Grand Lodge, last year and proved him
self one of the most popular and efficient
officers the grand body ever had in the
63 years of it's existence. BY personal
sacrifice ard hard work he accomplish
ed much and when he retired from the
chair he had the satisfaction of knowing
the order in Maine occupied a more ad-
vauccd position than ever before in it's
history. 1t was felt that some test
monial was due him, and while every
part OF the State would have gladly con
trlbuted and have felt it a privilege to
have done SO, yet those having the mat
ter in charge thought it more appro.
pirate to conhne it to dr. MerriIl's home
county. Sol)n 10 ge of Scion, Mr.. Mer-
rll's l9tge, fnrn shed the collar, while
the other lodges in the county purchas-
ed the j'wel.
All the grand officers paid glowing
frbute to the work of indian spring
Lodge and To Past Grand Master Merrill.
y fine banquet was served by the
mrmbes- of Mount Moxle Lodge OF
bingham and TINS district meeting VIII
long be remembered by those present