Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-05-10
OLD MEMBERS NIGHT.
Veteran Odd Fellows Guests of Honor
in Wantastiquet Lodge Meeting
Many Joined in "reminiscences.

Old members night was observed by
Wantastiquet lodge, l. o. o. F., Mon
day evening and about IT'S members
were present, including many of the
older men who had not attended a
meeting for several years. Following
the regular business the first degree
was eXemplified and then the older
members were called upon for remarks
Among those who spoke were Past
Grand John C. Howe of Walpole, N. H.
S. b. Emerson of this town, a member
of the Milford, N. H., lodge, who told
of an interesting meeting of the indie
pendent Order of Friendship, a colored
organization founded upon principals
similar to those of the Odd Fellows
which he attended in Georgia during
his recent trip through the South; Past
Grand d. A. Henry of Guilford, who
held that office 35 years ago and who
had not attended a meeting of the lodge
for 80 years. He spoke of his expert
ences as an Odd Fellow and said that
on June he would celebrate his Saith
birthday anniversary and also the 42d
anniversary of his becoming an Odd
Fellow. He has been a member of the
organization just half his life; Carl Hol-
lander and /. H. Stellman, who Joined
the lodge the same evening in 1868, and
l.. E. Yeaw, who Joined in 1867, were
among the speakers. The latter Joined
-. n. n,
who was present.
Others who gave interesting reminis-
cences were Past Grand L. ]. Huntley,
A. E. Thurber, George w. Fuller, II. A.
Reynolds of Saxtons River, T. w.
Bruce and H. C. Harris Monday even
ing was the 35th anniversary of the date
when Mr.. Harris Joined Wantastiquet
lodge. Letters were read from Past
Grand L. ]. Retting of Mount Glenn
mems, Mich, and Simeon J, Jones of
East Bethel whose 25th anniversary of
joining the lodge occurred that evening.
The first meeting place of Wantasti-
quet lodge was in Cutler building, in
the hall now occupied by Sedgwick post,
G. A. R. Later they moved to a new
hall on the third floor of the Vermont
National bank building and after the
Hooker building was built the third
! floor was taken and these quarters have
| since been occupied by the various bod
les The recent purchase of the Vessel
hoeft property on Elliot street by the
Odd Fellows is thought to mean that
within two or three years permanent
| home will be built by the local organiza =
| ton, and while no definite plans have
been decided on it is said that the
building will be substantial and attrac-
tive
Wantastiquet lodge was instituted
Aug. s, 1876. with Is charter members,
llOue VI WHOIl are HOW lNlnS, 1dSt
Grand Mason Willis being the last sur
vivor. Rev. John Howard Wells was
the first member of the lodge. The
oldest member at present is Past Grand
John Retting, who Joined Jan. 9, 1854.
Other old members and the dates on
which they Joined are as follows: John
Henkel, Jan. 30, 1865; Henry e. Bond,
June 8, 1865; L. H. Richardson, Dec. 8,
1867; L. E. Yeaw, Dec. 9, 1867; G. w.
Stewart, Nov. 80, 1868; Past Grand
Dwight Smith, Dec. 2s, 1868; Carl Hol-
lander, Dec. 2S. 1868; L. II. Stellman,
Dec. 2s, 1868. Since the lodge was in
stituted there have been 1868 members,
and the membership is now $50. John
Retting was the 115th member to join.