Connecticut western news., 1909-12-30
ORDER OF THE
 EASTERN STAR
CHAPTER INSTITUTED IN CANAAN
Plans For It's Formation Have Been Under Consideration For Some Time Will Be Valued Auxiliary to the
 Masonic Lodge of Officers.


 Masonic Lodge-List of Officers. A number of members of Housatonic Lodge, Mo- 61, F. 6 A. M., have felt for long time that there should be a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star formed in Canaan, and have been at work faithfully with that object in view.
 The Order of the Eastern Star is an auxiliary to the Masonic order, and is composed of Master Masons, their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. In all other places ill the state where there is a chapter, it is considered a high honor to belong to the order, so that, when the Masons of Canaan took hold of the matter in earnest it was a fore gone conclusion that they would be suc- oessful.
 The first public step taken was a call for meeting at the lodge room of Hou- satonic Lodge, on the evening of Nov ember r. to listen to an address on the merits of the order by Grand Worthy Matron, Mrs. E. s. Davis of Collinsville, and few remarks on the same subject by Grand Worthy Patron William J. Rawlings of New Britain. After the speakers had concluded, an informal talk by those present with the two grand officers led to the decision to begin the formation of a chapter then and there. and thirteen who were eligible signed their names to the charter list, This formed a nucleus, and @ personal call on others soon increased the num- Der of signers to twenty eight. As only twenty-four signers are necessary to obtain charter, the formation of the chapter was assured, so, on the evening of December IA, meeting was held for organization and to take the necessary steps for installation, which it was de- cided should take place on Wednesday evening, December g.
 In the afternoon of this day heavy snowstorm set in. which made things look dubious for the success of the meet ing, but when the time came for begin ing the services, it was found that fifteen members of the Grand Chapter, headed by Grand Worthy Matron Mrs. William J. Rawlings, were on hand ready to do their duty In addition to the Grand Officers there were about thirty members present from Laurel Ina ofa Of tatives from Blazing Star Chapter of West Cornwall.
 These all assisted in instituting the chapter, after which demonstration of the work of the order was given, which was declared by all present to be one of the grandest things of the kind they had ever seen. After the degree work, the chapter proceeded to the election of officers, who were then duly installed by the grand officers. The officers elected for the ensuing year are as follows:
 Worthy Matron-Mrs. Elsie Decker
 Worthy Patron-George W. Ford.
 Associate Matrcn - Mrs Katherine Shaw.
 Secretary-William N Decker.
 Treasurer-Lyman E. Howe.
 " Conducteress-Mrs. Maud Whitford.
 Assistant Conducteress - Mrs Belle Wood.
 haplain-Horace E. Holt.
 Marshal-James Graney.
 Organist-(office not filled).
 Adah-Mrs. Helen Hanlon.
 Ruth-Mrs. Ida Dewey.
 Esther-Mrs. Carrie Holt.
 Martha-Mrs. Alice Ford.
 Electra Coffee not filled).
 Warder-Albert J. Hyde.
 Sentinel-Henry R. Whitford.
 Following the election and installation of officers, remarks of an enthusiastic nature were made by several visitors after which the chapter was closed and all repaired to the banquet room, where lunch was served, and a jolly time in dulged iu by all. At an early hour Cir the morning. all left for their homes we'll satisfied with the work they had accomplished, and looking forward with pleasure to the next meeting, and with conf']"r"o iu the growth of Esther Chapter, O. E. s.