Omaha daily bee., 1907-10-17
Fun AND WORK FOR LODGES
Business and Trolley Rides Engross
Odd Fellows and Rebekahs.
FOUR HUNDRED WOMEN PRESENT
w. &. Purcell of Broken Bow u
Elected Grand Patriarch by
the Encampment of odd
Fellows,

The second days session OF the grand
lodges and assemblies OF odd Fellows was
greeted with an increased attendance and
growing interest Wednesday morning. The
grand lodge convened at $3.50 IN its fittieth
annual session at Creighton hall, Fifteenth
and Harney streets. with Grand Master J.
f. Morrison presiding.
The Rebexah assembly convened short
while earlier and marched in body from
its hall in odd Fellows temple to Creigh-
ton hall to participate in the opening eNer-
cises Of the grand lodge. About 400 women
were in the line and made an imposing
parade on the street headed by their presi-
dent Miss Katherine Jackson. As they en-
tered Creighton hall they were given cor
dial welcome by the grand lodge and vis-
itors assembled there to participate in the
opening exercises.
After tho gathering was called TO order
by Grand Master Morrison, Past Grand
Master Charles A. Patterson of Omaha de-
lvered the address of welcome on behalf
OF the city of Omaha. Grand Master Nor
rison responded on beholf of the visiting
odd Fellows and Miss Katherine Jackson
on behalf Of the Rebekah assembly.
The entire morning was given over to
the annual address of the grand master,
reports of the several grand officers and
the appointment of committees The re-
ports show that the order Is in a prosper
Gus condition throughout the grand juris-
diction, with both lodges and membership
increasing. The finances Of the order are
in an exceptionally good condition and the
beneficentwork of the order is manifest
in all parts of the state
The sessions of the grand lodge were
resumed Wednesday afternoon until 4
O'Clock, when an adjournment was taken
to enjoy the trolley ride.
Thursday morning the grand lodge will
hold its closing session at Creighton hall,
when officers will be elected for the year.
Rebekah Assembly.
Upon its return from the visit to the
grand lodge at Creighton hall to par
ticipate in the formal opening of the
grand lodge meeting, the Rebekah assem-
bly, opened its twenty-fourth annual bust
ness meeting in odd Fellows temple, with
the largest attendance ever gathered for
like occasion in the history of the
order. Nearly 900 delegates and visitors
were present, including these officers: Miss
Katherine Jackson OF Lincoln. president;
Mrs. Clara Eskew Davis of North Platte
vice president; Mrs. Emma L. Talbot of
South Omaha. secretary; Mrs. Mary E.
Stuhl of Omaha, treasurer Miss Melita
Taylor Of Blair, warden; Mrs Parthena
Thomas of Fremont, chaplain; Mrs. Kate
Tucker of Auburn, marshal; Mrs Flor
ence Dew of Tecumseh. conductor; Miss
Alice STUNT OF Sidney, inside guardian,
and Mrs. Mary Z. Osborne of Omaha, out
side guardian.
| The assembly was called to order by
President Jackson, who read her annual
address, which was followed by the reports
OF the several officers. These reports show
there has been an increase of nine lodges
during the year and a very large increase
of membership with an awakening interest
/ In the work in all quarters Of the state.
| At o'clock Wednesday afternoon a brief
memorial service was held for deceased
! members. At the conclusion of this inter-
! esting service the assembly took a recess
for trolley ride.
Prior to the opening of the regular bust
! ness sessions of the assembly the assembly
degree was conferred upon about 200 men,
bers, Among those present at the meeting
are a number OF members of the order
from Iowa, Kansas and other adjacent
states visitors
Headquarters for the grand lodge have
been removed from the Rome hotel to the
Her Grand, where the officers and records
will be found during the remainder of the
grand lodge session.