Gilpin observer., 1907-11-21
A BIG Time
Odd Fellows Are Given Jewel
Medals---Members from
All Over the State.

Rocky Mountain lodge No. 2, /. O. O.
F., Saturday evening held glorions
celebration in honor of those who have
been members of the order twenty-five
years or more. There were present
over 100 members of the various lodges
in the county, including Fidelity Re-
bekah lodge No. 10.
VIM. Burley acted as chairman of the
gathering and told the object of the
meeting, which was the presenting of a
handsome jewel to those whose MEM
bership in the local lodge extended over
a period of twenty-five years or more.
Mr.. Burley reviewed the history of
Rocky Mountain lodge No. 2, relating
the difficulties the members in the early
days had to surmount in keeping the
order intact and retaining its existence
at times when the treasury was de-
pleted and the lodge generally was in
very hard circumstances. Despite the
reverses experienced, the order man
aged by dint of hard work on the part
of the members to eventually forge to
the front until today it stands as one of
the strongest links financially in the
large chain of Odd Fellowship extend
ing over the wide expanse of western
territory. In appreciation of the noble
services and untiring energy put forth
in behalf of the order by the pioneer
members, the younger members thought
it fitting and proper that they reward
those who so manfully shouldered the
burden of perpetuating the local Or
ganixation with beautiful token. This
gift was to be in the form of jewel
The idea of the members was carried
out and Saturday evening was the time
set for the presentation of the gifts.
The medal presented is 14-karat, 25-
year Veteran jewel. On each men,
ber's jewel is the name of the recipient
and the name of Rocky Mountain Lodge
No. 2. The workmanship is most per-
feet and the medal is perhaps among
the handsomest presented for distin-
guished services to a member of any
lodge. The presentation speech was
made by j. M. Norman, secretary of
the order in Colorado. Mr.. Norman has
few equals as speaker in the state and
possessing as he does wonderful COM
mand of the English language, his
speech was most eloquent. In his ad-
dress he reviewed the history of Odd
Fellowship from its inception and dwelt
at length upon the rapid strides the or
der has made not alone in Colorado but
throughout the country. He compli-
mented the members of Rocky Noun
tain lodge No. 2 upon the splendid rec
ord they had achieved in advancing their
local, making it one of the most pros
porous of the Colorado Odd Fellow
lodges.
Those receiving medals and who were
present were: VIM. Martin, H. G.
Shuck, A. Rachofsky, Geo. Perry, Sr.,
of Denver; Jos. Proutt, Silver Plume;
VIM. H. Bennett, Arvada; ]. D. Rich
ards, Robt. Wilkinson, John G. Will
Jams. C. C. Miller, past grand master,
Antlers, Colo; VIM. ]. Bishop. Other
members entitled to medals but who
were not present to receive the gifts,
are: Henry Dennis, A. C. Newton,
Elisha Stephens, Elijah Stephens, H.
H. Johns, Geo. Branch, w. T. Roach,
Benz. Flarty, Thos. Hambly.
Each recipient of jewel gave an ap-
preciative response, thanking the lodge
for the beautiful present.
Following the presentation of the
jewels short musical program was en-
joyed. Arthur Penna sang several solos
which were very much appreciated, as
were also the solos of Mrs. Inez Schmidt
and Jonathan Weeks.
Late in the evening a fine spread was
served which was partaken of most
heartily. 1t was late when the affair
was brought to a close and all those
who had attended the event felt that
they had enjoyed an evening of pleasure
which it is seldom their fortune to en-
Joy. For the old members of Rocky
Mountain lodge No. 2, who received the
medals, as well as the young members
who were instrumental in having the
medals presented, it was an occasion
long to be remembered.