Gilpin observer., 1908-09-24
ODD FELLOWS
MEET IN Denver
IMMENSE GATHERING AT SESSION
OF THE SOVEREIGN GRAND
LODGE.
DOINGS ARE LIVELY
ORDER BEGINS BUSINESS AND
THE REBEkAHS HOLD "A
RECEPTION.

Denver.-With nearly every civilized
country represented, the sovereign
grand lodge of the Order of Odd Eel
lows of the World opened it's annual
sessions in Denver Monday.
The manner in which the delegates
plunged into business and the earnest
ness and enthusiasm which marked the
different meetings would seem to prove
the assertion that in thorough organiza-
ton, in beneficences and financial re-
sources this is one of the greatest Or
ders on earth,
From 9 o'clock in the morning, when
the parade left the headquarters at the
Brown Palace hotel for the auditorium,
where the Odd Fellows were we;-
coined to the state and city, there was
not an idle minute till after midnight.
Outside of the sessions of the sover-
eign grand lodge and the military coun-
Gil, held in two halls simultaneously, at
Ell Jebel temple, there were numerous
sessions of subordinate branches.
Nor was the entertainment feature
neglected in any way. The Rebekahs
provided the leading functions. A brill
liant reception at FL Jebel temple at
$3.50 p. m. at Colfax lodge, the banner
Rebekah organization of the state, and
during the day their new flag was un-
furled in the presence of big crowd at
the Champa street hall.
Many pretty demonstrations in de-
gree work were given at different halls
during the day and evening"
Praise of Odd Fellowship was the
burden Of the welcoming speeches and
responses at the auditorium, where the
first public gathering of the conven-
tion was called to order by Frank c..
Goudy, chairman of the local arrange
ment committee. Governor Buchtel's
welcome was of his best boosting type,
well calculated to keep the visitors in
the state beyond their scheduled date.
Mayor Speer told of Denver's appre-
citation for the visit of the worlds Odd
Fellows.
Grand Master Joseph hewitt spoke
a welcome for the Colorado grand
lodge and Grand Patriarch Richard
Nicholson also gave greetings. Mrs
Joan Alderman, who spoke for the Col
orado Rebekahs, was greeted by the
audience rising amid much enthusiaS
tic applause. The welcome of the Pa
triarchs Militant was spoken by De
partment Commander George w. Bon
ney of Cripple Creek, who included an
invitation to the greatest gold camp on
earth.
When Grand Sire E. s. Conway Of
Chicago arose to reply for the several
branches of Odd Fellowship he was Civ
en- prolonged ovation. He maintained
that the ideals in the liturgy of the or.
Il ~ 50 S.re
cess. His utterance that the man who
is true to himself can never be false to
others and that Odd Fellows under all
circumstances must be men. was re-
ceived with great applause.
After the auditorium meeting the
members of the sovereign grand lodge
marched behind band to FL Jebel tenn
pie, where the work of the convention
was taken up at 11:30 a. IN. in the
main audience hail. Simultaneously
in the lower lodge room. the military
council, composed of department COM
manders and past department com
manaers, took up in secret session a
number of important resolutions bear
~ing upon the work of the Patriarch
Militant. The officers reports show
the military branch to be in most
prosperous condition and its mem
Raney of Iowa presided with Adjutant
G. C. Bradford OF Baltimore, secretary.
The sovereign grand lodge voted to
extend the right OF full membership in
that body to Australasia, and to all
the countries OF Europe which up to
this time had been under separate jur-
isdictions. AS a result of this action
Denmark, Sweden. Switzerland. the
German empire, New Zealand and Aus
tralasia will in future be permitted to
send representatives to the sovereign
grand lodge conventions, and the same
power as all other delegates. The ex-
penses OF the delegates will be paid out
OF the general fund of the order. In the
past these countries have been entitled
10 similar representation accorded ter
ritor1al delegates in the United States
Congress, whereas in future they will
have power similar to that OF represen-
tatives in Congress from the several
states.
All the other amendments submitted
Monday were voted down. These in.
cluded an amendment to allow admis
sion into the order at the age OF eight
cen years instead of twenty-one, to per
init wholesale liquor dealers to be-
come members and to drop the word
grand" from the title of the sovereign
grand lodge.
It is estimated that about 1000 men
will be in the parade Wednesday.
Chicago and Seattle are In lively
contest for the next sovereign grand
lodge meeting.