The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-23
ON THE NORTH SIDE
Amity X. p. Lodge Celebrates
It's Birthday.
w. F. Rightmire Delivers the
Principal Address.
ANOTHER LAND SALE.
Part of CampdOras Tract Brings
$50 Per Acre.
Land Was Originally Appraised
at $3.50.

That Amity Lodge 321, K. of p, is
a royal entertainer, was proven by the
seventeenth annual banquet given by
the order at Lukens' opera house last
night In spite of the threatening
weather, about four hundred, includ-
ing members of the North Topeka
lodge, their friends and visitors from
the South side lodges We're present.
There was feast of reason and a
| flow of SOUL" with music and the wine
of friendship to say nothing of the
more substantial eatables. The COM
mittee in charge are to be congratu-
| lated on their work.
One of the features of the evening
was an address by Judge w F. Right
mire He told how the lodge was first
organized at Washington, D. c., just
after the close of the civil war, j.
Rathbone, and five other government
clerks were the originators. The pur-
pose of the order was to help bridge
over the gulf between the north and
south formed by the conflict. At that
time other lodges had been divided by
the war. He also described the start
of the Pythian Sisters at Mena, Ark.
At the organization of the first K. OF
P lodge there, the wives of the new
members stood outside of the hall and
protested against their husbands stay
ing out so late. Mr.. Rightmire, who
was present, suggested that they form
a branch order of their own and his
advice was followed. This was IN
1897. Mr.. Rightmire in addition ex-
planned how his membership card had
just been transferred from Twin City
lodge, No. so, at Cottonwood Falls, to
Amity lodge. He founded the former
lodge and until the last week the or
der would not permit his membership
to be transferred, although he had
moved from there to Topeka in 1891.
Judge Rightmire spoke in place of
]. J. Schenck, who was absent.
Another speaker was H. L. Stude-
want, of Valiant Lodge, No. Is. captain
of Gala division No. 8, of the Uniform
Rank This branch, a semimilitary
organization. is the only one of it's
kind to be recognized by the govern
ment The members of this branch
can draw uniforms and accoutrements,
from the United States if they choose
and may be called upon in case OF
need, the same as the militia. Captain
Studevant told how this branch was
being reorganized here. 1t has been
dormant until the last few weeks,
with only a few members. Since then
the membership from the different
lodges in the city has grown to 10. 1t
is hoped that this will be increased to
at least 125, when the military branch
will take part in the competitive drills
at the grand lodge meeting at Garden
City.
Another feature of the program was
the black face minstrel given by Rob-
ert Ammell, first tenor, Verne Schein,
second tenor, George Rice. baritone,
Fred HeckenHbel bass, Will Weather
holt. interlocutor and Miss Mabel Am
nell, pianist. The songs of the min
strels were we'll rendered. Their jokes
did not show symptoms of old age.
The enjoyment of the evening was
added to by clever readings by Miss
Dora Moffitt of the South side and
Miss Elizabeth Willitts of North Tope-
ka. Miss Moffitt is we'll known as a
reader. This was the first appear
ance of Miss Willitts in public. Her
work was exceptionally good. She de-
scribed how a girls small sister en-
tertained her beau in the absence of
the "grown up" G. F. Kimball gave
an able address. telling how it seemed
to him, as a nonmember of the lodge,
that the principles of Washington,
whose birthday occurred yesterday.
were embodied in the K. of P. c. H.
Kutz of Topeka Lodge No. 238, gave
several humorous recitations. B. F.
MACPHERSON, past chancellor of Amity
lodge, was presented with a gold en-
blem of his office. A. N. Goodman,
grand outer guard, made the presenta-
ton speech. Mr. Goodman was master
of ceremonies The house was taste
fully decorated with red, white and
blue bunting.
Mr. Goodman had charge of the enter
tainment, w. L. Excl arranged the
decorations and VIM. Shorey took care
Of the supper. -....s...s
1t may be of interest to note that A.