The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-14
BRIDGEPORT ELKS
 CELEBRATE TIER
 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Prominent Ant1ers Who Were Present at Birth of Lodge Recall Events of
 Quarter Century Ago
LIFE MEMBERSHIP CARD
 PRESENTED TO JENNINGS

PRESENTED TO JENNINGS
 Last evening at it's handsome new home in State street, Bridgeport lodge of Elks commemorated ths 18th anniversary of it's birth in man ner most fitting. A superb banquat was served and an elaborate musi- cal and vaudeville program was fea- tured. Upwards of 250 members ot the lodge attended. The festivities were held in the social session hal with the exalted ruler of the lodge toastmaster.
 Among the distinguished guests were Arthur c. Moreland, editor ot the Elks Antler, the foremost Elk publication, and perhaps the be-, known and best loved member of ths order. MT. Moreland has been exalt- ed ruler of San Francisco and New York lodges. and besides filing many important trusts in the grand lodge was grand secretary for several years Dr. James H. Kelly. of New Haven grand esteemed leading knight, wa.s also a guest as was George A. Key holds of Hartford who was the pre- siding district deputy at the birth Of the lodge.
 Interest centered about Henry H. Jennings, formerly of this city, now of Hartford, the we'll known theatri- cal magnate who was the organizer of the local lodge.
 Seated about the guests table were Past District Deputies James T. Smith of Derby and pr. F. J. Brothers of New Haven. and many of the past ex- aleed rulers of the local lodge.
 The varied program was much en- joyed and throughout the evening the speechira aking, which proved most in- teresting and instructive. was inter- spersed with chorus singing by the. en- senbe.
 Mayor Edward T. Buckingham. a member of Bridgeport lodge. who de- livered the address of welcome. was accorded a most hearty gree ing and his pungent address was excellently delivered.
 In the early autumn of 1885 Henry Fl. Jennings. master bill poster ir Bridgeport and affiliated with Provi dence Lodge of Elks determined tha his native city should be the home of a lodge of Elks. MT. Jennings circulated a petition the object oi which was to obtain dispensatici whereby there could be instituted in Elks. It was no easy task which Brother Jennings assumed but with his characteristic energy he decided that the movement could and would be made a success.
 Though beset with many obstacles he persevered and finally his efforts were rewarded for on Thursday even- ing, Sept. II, 1885, at, Concordia hall, he was able to assemble a group of gentlemen most of whom were iden- tified with successful business or pro- fessional undertakings, which formed the nucleus of what subsequently, be- came Bridgeport Lodge No. 36, B. P. O. E..
 Dr. F. E. Downs was chairman. MT. Jennings read from letters in his possession authorizing him to pro- ceed with the preliminary, work necessary to the institution of lodge of Elks. The then District Deputy G. E. R. George A. Reynolds of Hart ford had commissioned MT. Jennings to undertake the work. The meet ing elected John D. Lahan secretary. Between 50 and 60 prospective chart CT members were present. MT. Jen- nings informed the meeting that the meeting adjourned Sunday evening, Sept. Is.
 On the evening of Sunday, Sept. 13, 1885 the second meeting of the charter members was held at Con- cordia hall with six New Haven Elks
 
 E. R. George A. Reynolds of Hart ford presided. At this meeting the first officers of Bridgeport lodge were nominated the following being chos- en: William H. Stevenson, E. R.; Charles A. Hotchkiss, E. L. K; Roo- man. E. L. K.; John D. Lahan, secre- tary; FL. Freyler, treasurer; Charles H. Sanger, tiler; George N. Morgan, G. w. Longstaff and F. B. Downs, trustees.
 On Sunday. Sept. 20. 1885. at D. m., the installation of the officers took place. Arthur c. Moreland of New York Lodge. No. i. grand secretary, acted as grand exalted ruler.
 After opening the lodge the grand exalted ruler read the charter list con- taining 90 names. and after a ballot had been taken on the names the grand exalted ruler announced the election of those gentlemen to Bridge port Lodge. No. 36. B. P. O. E. Of the 90 members chosen 7S presented themselves for the first and second degrees.
 After the impressive initiatory cere- monies had been concluded by the grand exalted ruler and his assistants, the meeting was turned over to D. D. George A. Reynolds of Hartford who then announced that the election of of-
  tlemen who were chosen at the pre- liminary session were then duly elect ed and installed with bef1tting cere- mony.
 Exalted Ruler-elect William H. Ste 'venson then assumed the chair. and they do saythat he received an up- roarious greeting. for Billy Steven son, as he was familiarly termed. was one of the coming big lights in the railroad world in those days and he had a brilliant future before him. Brother Stevenson introduced the act ing grand exalted ruler. Brother A. C. Moreland. who responded in a fitting manner. Then after passing a vote of thanks to Henry H. Jennings and William Carmody CBilly Williams) for their efforts in organizing the lodge. the session was adjourned and the members and guests repaired to the Atlantic Hotel where there followed a banquet.
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