The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-07-01
CROWDS GATHER
AT ATHLETIC CLUB
To Celebrate a Quarter Century
of Pythianism in Palatka.
Principal Address by Hon. w. H. Ellit
of Quincy.

sion and hundreds of invitations were
issued.
For an hour before the opening of the
exercises, Society-loving Palatkans were
seen vending their way to the hall, and
when the assembly of ladies and gentle
men was called 10 order, it is conServa.
lively estimated that nearly 500 people
were in the hall.
The great hall was beautifully decora
ted for the occasion, and artists had the
work in charge. Besides the many pret.
ty designs wrought in the Pythian col.
lors, there were many flowers and pot
ted plants, which added beauty 10 the
scene.
The assembly was called TO order by
Hon. S. ]. Hilburn, G. V. c., who was
master of ceremonies, and who called
for the Pythian's opening ode, which
the vast audience sang with fervor.
Judge E. Noble Calhoun was then in
troduced and delivered an eloquent ad
dress of welcome, and one calculated 10
drive Pythian principles direct into the
hearts of all not members of the order.
Judge Calhoun is always most interest
ing as we'll as eloquent speaker and he
was listened to with wrapt attention. Al
his close the Tilghman Orchestra rem
dered beautiful selection.
M. w. Stewart of Jacksonville, for
mer Grand Chancellor of Florida and
once leading business man of Palatka,
as we'll as an earnest and devoted mem
Der of St. Johns Lodge, was next called
upon. Mr.. Stewart is probably more ia
miliar with the full history of the lodge
than almost any other member, and for
this reason his theme was Lodge His
tory" Among other things he said:
ST. Johns Lodge, No. s, was instituted
June 25th, 1885, by Deputy Supreme
Chancellor A. C. Cowan, and was direct
ly under the control of the Supreme
Lodge for one year, there being no
Grand Lodge in Florida at that time.
The charter members were:
E. T. Lane, C. F. Eaton, William P
Couper, Benz. ]. Grooms, C. F. SulSner,
ChaS S. Gowan, Robt. Gamble, Edward
Hubbard, F. A. Won Eberstein, Houston
Elledge, Geo. H. Haskell, F. P. Merce-
reau, Geo. Weller, Calvin S. Barbour,
Benz. F. Bowen, George w. Lansing,
Arthur N. Edwards, ]. L. Rolling, w. B.
Cross, ]. c. Donnelly, Geo. P. Fowler,
L. r. Wing.
Two of the charter members are still
members of St. Johns, No. s, Brothers
Geo. w. Lansing and F. P. Mercereau,
and several others are still members of
lodges in Florida and other Grand Do
mains, while others have passed to the
Great Beyond.
Those who have filled the chair of
Chancellor Commander are:
Geo. w. Lansing, F. P. MerCereau, w.
B. Cross, w. o. Wolff, r. ]. Rifles, NJ.
w. Stewart, c. A. Fininger, E. M. Nc
Lawry, w. S. Burdette, A. c. Hamrick,
c. ]. Bolinger, ]. E. Lucas, j. B. Don
nelly, Robley Bruce, H. C. Amason, B.
F. Bowen, B. ]. Grooms, P. H. Stranz,
Irving GilliS, S. L. Lowry, ]. H. Haugh-
ton, Duncan Stewart, L. j. Canova, Geo.
f. Mundee, r. H. Cooper, B. w. Huff,
w. f. H. Mabry, c. A. McLarty, John
Pursley, Guy C. Estes, S. ]. Hilburn, F.
D. Wattles, Howell A. Davis, D. w.
RamSauer, c. w. Cummings, Howell A.
Davis, ]. NJ. Walton, w. E. Wattles, E.
A. Gerber; J.W. DarSey, VIM. NJ. Curry,
l.. A. Smith, L. c. Stephens, E. ]. Gay,
]. H. Yelverton, r. f. Neck, Fl. E. Mer
ryday, w. Carl Davis, Leo Jacobson, H.
Finley Tucker (elecD.
HtIS HAS DGGu oCNCldl
ated since our charter was granted. The
total membership at present is 2O1, and
we have reason to feel proud of our
financial affairs. Our lodge building,
furniture and paraphernalia at present is
worth 81, 500 in round numbers.
From 1885 to the fall of 1895 meetings
were held in what was known as Dunn'S
Hall, now the property of DR.. WEIGH.
In 1895 we leased the entire third story
of what was then known as the Keen
Block, now the Canova Block, and after
taking out portion of the partitions,
fitted up excellent lodge rooms. These
rooms were vacated in 1905, and for
short time, through the courtesy of the
Masons, were allowed TO use the Masonic
Lodge rooms, until the Cunneely prop
erty was purchased, when the building
was repaired and the upper story con-
verted into Castle Hall. The value of
St. Johns Lodge property exceeds that
of any lodge in Florida, and in point of
members is the fourth largest in the
Grand Domain of Florida.
Our representatives have been highly
honored by the Grand Lodge.
In 1887, Geo. w. Lansing, G. V. C.
1889, BENZ. F. Bowen, G, !. G..
1894, R. J. Rifles, G. c., who was
later S. r.
1897, Leon ]. Canova, G. NJ. at A.
1900, Sumter L. Lowry, G. c. (who
was created knight in ST. Johns. but
later transferred to Red Cross, No. 43, at
Tampa).
1905, M. w. Stewart, G. C.
1910, S. ]. Hilburd, G. V. c.
In 1908, Herbert Crook, now mem
Der of St. Johns, was elected G. c.,
though at the time was a member of
Ocala Lodge.
St. Johns membership in the insurance
department, known as section No. 772,
has membership of 6S, carrying $112,-
500 insurance.
Mrs. Jennie R. Brown, past grand
chief of the Pythian Sisters of Florida
was next called upon and made a most
interesting talk, winning much applause.
One of the best speeches of the even
ing was made by Grand Chancellor H.
H, Richardson of Jacksonville, whose
theme was "The Good of the Order"
By the generous applause accorded it
was very evident that Mr. Richardson
knew what was good for the assembled
members.
Marcus Endel of Gainesville, superin.
tendent of the insurance department,
also madea pleasing address, after which,
by special request, Geo. w. Lansing,
the first chancellor commander of the
lodge, who was present from Jackson
Vile, made pleasing address, filled with
"reminiscences.
After more music, the principle ad-
dress of the evening was given by Hon.
w. H. Ellis of Quincy, former attorney
general of Florida.
Mr.. Ellis is one of the most gifted ora
tors of Florida, and his presentation of
the advantages of Pythianism will not
soon be forgotten. He spoke for nearly