Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-08-29
ODD FELLOWS IN ELKiNS
LAY HOME CORNERSTONE

Parade and Ceremonies of the Day
Were Followed by Brilliant Re-
ception at "Graceland," the Home
eof Ex-senator Henry G.. Davis,
Where Refreshments Were Served.
Elkins, .&ug. 24.-Saturday was a
day long to be remembered in Elkins.
The little city was the mecca for
thousands Of Odd Fellows from all
over tue state as we'll as from neign-
boring states, tire occasion being the
laying OF the cornerstone of tne new
Il. o. o. f. Home now IL process Of
erection here. From early morning
gE0til late in the afternoon trains we're
sc5rning into the beautiful little city
from every direction bringing their
hundreds of Odd Fellows until by ev-
ening there were ten thousand visit
ors crowded into the town and these
together with the local members of
1.-The order made a monster crowd pres
ent to do the honors of the occasion.
1t was near 1880 when the monster
rarade began to assemble and by 2
: O'Clock it was ready to proceed to the
new home. Six bands were placed in
'4the order of march. About twenty
limoges If the order were in the line,
ssirsre icing $500 people in the march.
gEHe parade formed on Third street
s1EE Reached for over a mile. Fol-
Moving the men on foot came the car
rIAges in which rode Senator Fl. G..
Davis, Hon. Thomas w. Fleming, the
speakers n other distinguished
members of the order. !
The march extended for a little
! over half a mile from the heart Of
: the city to the site of the beautiful
nome Placed on the summit of d
gently slopfng hill in the midst OF a
beautiful forest. surrounded by a farm
OF 100 fertile acres, the new home
win. when completed, be one of the
finest institutions in the state.
A SLOW, drizzle of rain which began
shortly after noon and increasing In
violence during the afternoon slightly
: marred the exercises of the day. Not
Il withstading this there were some
ahisg hike $4,000 persons in the large
.cUowd which surrounded the begin
. r1ing Of the new building and watched
the laying of the stone.
The following program was render
ed incident to the laying of the cor
%nerstone:
The assemblags was called to order
by Hon. Septimius Hall. master of
ceremonies. New Matftnsvile, w. Va.
laying Of conversion by the Grand
Lodge /. o. o. f. of West Virginia.
Music by bte band.
Addresses by the following dis
tinguished members Of the order:
Ex-senator H. G. Davis, John &.
.sSsoodwin. S~ecretarv Sovereign Grand
Isl audge; Judge Aston G.. Dayton, P,
CIV; Rev. D. II. Reed, New Martins
vile.
Music by the band.
Reception by Hon. Fl. G.. Davis and
Mrs. Grace Davis Lee, at "Graceland
$3.50 to 10 p. m.
The reception was a brilliant affair
ss'Graceland,' the beautiful home OF
the senator. was thrown open to the
ytyafjng memberG Of the order and the
magnihcence of the place was greatly
enjoyed by the hundreds who were
present during the evening. Among
the distinguished ~personages present
at the reception were Senator H. G.
Davis. Mr.. and Mrs. Lee, Mr.. John
Davis, President md Mrs. NJ. c. Ada-
hen. Of D. & f. college; Prof. jerks,
OF the Elkins schools, Senator Scott
and Mr.. and Mrs. w G. Wilson.
During the evening Prof. jerks n
Miss Norma Gregory rendered many
delightful musical selections. Re
fresaments were served in abundance
and the evening vas one Of rare de-
light to the hundreds present.