The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-06-27
BRO. pEAsE ENJOYED THE REUNION.

the Anoka Union, attended the
recent annual convention and re-
union of the Minnesota State Asso-
citation of Elks, as president. He
enjoyed the visit here, and in the
Union of this week, he says:
The pretty little city of Bemidji
had made lavish preparations for the
meeting. Purple and white, the
Elks ColorS, were in evidence every
where. A beautiful arch was erected
on a prominent corner, while many
of the business houses we're most
beautifully decorated, and some of
the show windows were a dream.
THE citizenship of Bemidji be-
lieve in their town and more en-
thusiastic people cannot be found.
The writer can see a great i'm
provement in the town since his last
visit. 1t is no more a frontier town
but we'll governed, law abiding
city, which means no open gambling,
Sunday and eleven o'clock closing
of the saloons, thanks to Mayor
Pogue's backbone, an official who
knows what to do and does it.
"The members of Bemidji lodge
No. 1852 are superb hosts and moth
ing was left but for the visitors to
have a good time. Each was CON-
mittee to see that the visiting
brothers were we'll taken care of and
they are assured that they were the
boys who succeeded. The three
days program consisted of rides
around beautiful lake Bemidji, band
concerts by the fine Crookston
organization, war dances by the Red
Lake Indians, baseball games by
the Hibbing and Bemidji clubs,
resulting in victories for the former;
Mahara minstrels, a deserving
troupe; big parade of all lodges,
ladies' reception, a swell affair, grand
ball in the city hall; all free to Elks.
The parade Friday morning was
a pretty affair and made favorable
impression on those who witnessed
it. The Crookston band was at the
head, followed by little Josephine
Parker aged years, with her team
of goats, Dan and Duke, attached to
a handsomely decorated wagon in
which the little miss and her friend
Martha Graham, aged 81 years.,
were seated. Then came the officers
of the association, Bemidji lodge, in
white suits trimmed with purple,
and each brother carrying purple
and white umbrella; German band,
lodge membership from Crookston,
Little Falls, Fergus Falls, Brainerd,
St. Cloud, Minstrel band and many
Elks from different lodges. On the
arrival of the procession at the park.
Mayor Pogue, one of the best, pre-
sented to the president golden key,
and extended the freedom of the
city. The key is now decorating the
business office of the Pease Printerv.
Friday afternoon the business
session was held and everything
passed off harmoniously. The new
officers elected are: President,
Henry L. Bryant, St. Paul: vice-presi-
dent, J. A. Angus, Fergus Falls;
secretary, N. A. Nelson, Saltwater;
treasurer, w. w. Rooms, St. Cloud;
sergeant-at-arms, A. H. Jester, Be-
midi; chaplain, Rev. H. F. Parshall,
Bemidji.
It was decided to hold the con-
vention next year at St. Cloud, the
time to be decided on by the
officers.
Every Elk left the city of Bemidji
with hearts overlooking with graft
tude and warm praise for every local
Elk and every citizen for the splen-
did entertainment provided and
carried with them a most pleasant
memory of the whole affair.
The Union does not propose to
close this write-up, without making
mention of the able and comprehen-
sive manner in which the Daily
Pioneer handled the convention be-
fore and at the time it was held.
1t did itself proud and great credit
is due its publisher, Clyde ]. Pryor
and managing editor, A. c.. Rutledge.
They got there with both feet"