Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06
HAVE WEEK OF REJOICING
CANCELLATION OF MORTGAGE
ON PROPERTY.

The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
last night completed a week of jubilee
commemorating the canceling of the
bonded debt on it's hall, 1905 NJ street
northwest. 1t was household and veter-
ans night The households of Ruth were
represented in an address by District
Most Noble Governor Mrs. NJ. Alice Par
ker, who is also worthy grand recorder
of the Grand Household of Ruth. and by
Past District Grand Master Jacob b.
Askins, former chief veteran and finan-
cial secretary of the Odd Fellows Veter-
ans Association Chief Lady Veteran
Mrs. Sarah ]. Lancaster of the Ladies'
Veteran Association, also made an ad-
dress.
The exercises were closed by p. NJ. v.
P. Samuel w. Watson, S rotary of the
Odd Fellows Hall Association, who intro
duced p. n. f. w. o. Davis. the young
est member of the board of directors, as
master of ceremonies for the closing eX-
ercises. He referred in his address to the
confidence, trust and assurance demon
strated in the leadership of the president
of the Hall Association. and then said
that October 1G, 1882 at the forty-sixth
anniversary of the order, Thomas H
Wright as orator showed the necessity
of the order owning it's own hall.
Presidents Address.
The president delivered an address pic
turing the many difficulties as we'll as
showing the successes that brought the
order to this period of rejoicing.
Samuel W. Watson has been secretary
of the Hall Association from its organi-
cation to date. except three and a half
years, beginning in June, 1897, when p
NJ V. P. j. r. +. Browne was elected
secretary, serving until December 81
1900. and accounting for s21,O37.S7.
He stated that $4,000 had been borrow
ed from trust company of Philadelphia
under bond for twenty years, and dated
June 1, 1892 payable in forty semi-an-
nual inStallments. The American Sc
curity and Trust Company, then located
at 1908 G street northwest, disbursed the
| amount at a charge of 1 per cent which
amount was raised by the oroer in addi-
ton to payments on the loan.
John McGregor, the contractor. was
paid $36,973 for the building, his contract
price.
David Warner. the treasurer of the as
socation from its organization. Decem-
Der 30, 1885, to December b. 1898, and
the president were the committee to select
a site for the hall. The association was
incorporated March %, 1890. The ground
cost $3.50. which was secured by the
cash payment of $2,41O July 81. 1890
The record of the property. he said,
dated from May 81, 1877. as Benjamin u.
Keyser's subdivision, known as lots 43
and A, square 1873. The first fair given
in 1892 netted 81. 800. which was more than
sufficient to purchase the ground. The
| excavation was begun May IL. 1892, and
the erection of the building started June
8. 1892. The corner stone was laid July
4, 1892 with P M. v. p. Daniel B. Web
ster, then District grand master. The
building was completed January 1. 1893,
and was dedicated January 10, 1893.
Cost of Building.
The cost of the building was $37, 552. ex-
elusive of interior furnishings and GER
tain extras not in the contract. The loan
was Cancelled by payment Of the last bal
ance August Z. 1908. after sixteen years
two months and seven days of toll, care
and responsibility. thereby saving to the
association and the order a considerable
amount of interest.
Following the presidents address Prof.
John T. Layton, assistant director OF
music in the colored public schools sang
the solo, 1.-The Clang Of the Forge"
and as an encore he rendered 1.-The Snug
gler," which was also applauded, calling
for second rendition.
The master of ceremonies then intro
duced Miss Edna Brown of Rosebud
Juvenile No. (Which holds fourteen shares
vision of Queen of Sheba Household of
Ruth, No. % (holding share of stock No.
ID. With few impressive words Miss
Brown burned the mortgage and the
ceremony closed with 'Blest Be the Tie
That Binds and benediction by p. M
v. p. james Langhorne. member Of the
board of directors. and the evening was
spent socially the entire audience con-
graduating the president, Thomas H.
Wright. Refreshments were served.