Norwich bulletin., 1909-06-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
Fraternai Life-Odd FsIlows-Mason
A CIambake - The concIave in
Boston.

It was during the first year of ny
married life that l Joined J1ncas
/ odge OF odd Fellows Singular as
Il may seem. soon after becoming
even, 1 became Odd. But both con-
ciTions, | am pleased to say, were
harmonious and very happy From
time to time / was promoted. until I
became the Noble Grand of the lodge,
aid my term of Office was a grand
success, so to speak. Upon my COM
ing to California my lodge dues " ere
neglected, and as a consequence,
was suspended. But while connected
with the Sacramento Valley railroad /
met Mr.. Charles Bird, a friend of
h.ne, and he remarked that he would
Capital Lodge of Odd Fellows for
membership. I said I would be pleased
to join but that it would require more
RI oney than I could conveniently
spare to pay my back dues.
Why" said he, "by an act of the
Grand Lodge the back dues of An
Gent Odd Fellows have all been re-
n tied"
That being the case" said I, you
E sfi1. present my petition for member
He did so, and 1 became member
Of Capital lodge, and 1 found it
was composed of some of the hest
end most prominent citizens of the
Capital city, and never will l forget
he delightful evenings spent in Cap
Another episode in my fraternal
career l will here relate. In 1859 I
was one evening in the store of Mr..
Richard Dale, in Sacramento, making
a few purchases, when he excused
himself for leaving, as he had to at
tend a lodge.
What sort of lodge?" said 1.
"A Masonic lodge" said he.
Well" said I, Il have often wanted
"a be a Mason"
well" said he, cas- this is Stated
Meeting night, l will fill out your pc
t.tion and take it in
He did so, and 1 was duly elected,
entered, passed and raised to the
sublime degree Of a Master Mason in
Union Lodge, F. and A. NJ, of Sac
rGmeHto. During the forty-four years
t7at / have been a member of the Ma
sopic fraternity l have met and known
among its members some of the best
men it has ever been my fortune to
be come associated with. Before leav-
ing Sacramento I was admitted into
The Royal Arch Chapter and the Com
mdndery of Knights Templar. After
Il aving, l took my demh. and aftil-
i5ied with California Lodge, No. l.
ter, No. 5, R. A. NJ, with the Past
| Masters association and with Cali
| fcrnia Commandery, No 1, Knights
| Templar. of which order I am now a
| East commander, an honor which
have ever most highly appreciated.
As a member of the grand lodge
OF the state 1 had attended many OF
| its sessions in the Masonic Temple
| Sar Francisco, and as the member
| Saip was composed Of Masons from all
ever the state. most of whom never
| SAW each other except at the grand
| &c dges, L became impressed with the
| idea of bringing them together So
c.ally, that they might become better
9c quainted, by getting up a clambake
| for the whole grand lodge. / men
| tened my project to Alexander G
| Abell then the grand secretary of the
| grand lodge, and it met with his
| hearty approval. He immediately
vote to DR.. Brown, surgeon in the
| United States navy, stationed at Mare
Isl8nd navy yard, he being the grand
| raster of the grand lodge. DR.
| Brown responded with this message
b. telegraph.
"A grand scheme. Go ahead and
we will make it one of the greatest
G. eLts in the Masonic history of the
| state"
, was surprised and delighted with
| this encouragement and / went ahead
r he grand lodge was to meet the fol-
| lowing week, and when it became
| known that a clambake was to break
| TIE monotony of grand lodge Ses-
sion it became the head and front OF